“Okay. What are you really worried about?”
Sighing, Grace rubbed her forehead. “I’m not good at reading men.”
“Well, I am.”
Grace understood her friend was making sad reference to her pre-Christian, club-hopping days. Even after becoming a believer, Shanice had seen nothing wrong with having a good time with friends at a club. All that had changed in one night.
“You thought he was a player, Shanice.”
“I shouldn’t have judged. I only met the man once. Just because a man is good-looking doesn’t mean he’s a jerk like Patrick. You’ve been working for Roman Velasco for five months. You should have some idea what kind of guy he is by now.”
“He’s a workaholic, and right now he doesn’t have a project.” He hadn’t even set up a fresh canvas on an easel.
“Sounds like he’s looking for something to inspire him.”
“That’s what he said.” Grace felt somewhat reassured. “I’ve never been to northern California.”
“It’s beautiful up there.”
“I’ve never been farther north than Fresno.”
“Oh, honey, then go. If anyone deserves some R & R, it’s you.” Shanice let out a breath. “Forget I said that.”
Grace knew why Shanice retracted her words so quickly. “I’m just nervous about spending all day with him.”
“You spend all day with him every day.”
“He’s in his studio. I’m in the office. We talk about what’s on the schedule in the morning. I go over messages midday and before I leave.”
“Oh. Well. It doesn’t sound like you need to worry.”
Everything did seem strictly business with Roman, but Grace had felt undercurrents lately. Especially at the show in Laguna. Maybe she was imagining something that wasn’t there.
“Listen, Grace. If you find yourself in over your head again, call me. And I don’t think it would hurt to get a man’s opinion about this trip. Why don’t you call Brian and talk to him about it?”
“I think I’ll do that.” If Brian really cared about her, he wouldn’t want her going off on a trip with another man. It might also be a way to find out how deep his feelings ran.
Brian asked the same question Shanice had. After a brief and somewhat-disappointing conversation, he left it up to her.
Grace called Selah to ask her advice. “Oh, that’s wonderful. It’s always good to get away and see new things. This is a great opportunity for you, chiquita. Enjoy yourself. If Mr. Velasco decides to extend the trip, just let me know. Don’t worry about anything. Sammy is fine.”
Grace wondered if Selah meant to imply Samuel wouldn’t miss his own mother. What hurt even more was knowing it might be true.
THE NEXT MORNING, Roman threw a duffel bag into the trunk of his car. He checked his watch—6:57. Grace came around the corner, wearing jeans and a lightweight pink sweater, not her usual business attire. She looked ready to travel with her small suitcase, backpack, pink tote bag, and purse. He stowed the suitcase and tote bag. Taking the backpack, he grimaced. “What do you have in this thing? Bricks?”
“My laptop and a couple of textbooks.”
Roman arranged the suitcase and duffel bag to protect her backpack. Grace was in the passenger seat before he could play gentleman and open the door for her. Sliding into the driver’s seat, he looked at her. “We don’t need a map.” He put his finger on the ignition and the engine roared to life. “The car has GPS.”
“I like maps. I know it’s a little old-fashioned.” She lifted her shoulders.
“A little?” He grinned.
“I just want to see the big picture and know where we’re going and how we’re going to get there.”
“Have your life all planned out, you mean.”
“I haven’t had much luck with that.”
When she looked away, he got the message. Don’t ask. “Okay. We’ll do it your way. I’ll drive. You navigate.”
She looked surprised. “You’re sure?”
“If you get us lost, GPS will find us.” He didn’t tell her he already knew how he wanted to get where they were going. The long way.
“If you want to get to Golden by this afternoon, we should take the freeway.”
“I hate freeways.”
She looked at the map and suggested the coast highway rather than head inland to the city and then north. She’d been nervous about this trip yesterday, but seemed relaxed, even eager, this morning. “What changed your mind?”