Kianna Alexander - A San Diego Romance

Jojo came out then in the bedazzled orange dress Eliza had first chosen for her. Chris couldn’t help smiling when he saw his daughter in the dress. It was tasteful, pretty and perfectly suited to her.

Grinning, Jojo came to stand by the mirrors. “Wow. This is it.”

“I agree.” Chris watched her do a slow turn, amazed at how grown-up his little girl suddenly looked.

Eliza came over then and began applauding as soon as she saw Jojo. “Oh, honey. You should get this one. It’s perfect on you.”

Jojo’s eyes sparkled as she looked at her reflection from various angles. “Okay, Dad. This is the one I want.”

“Great. Let’s box it up.” Chris stood. He loved spending time with his daughter, and with Eliza, but he didn’t really want to spend his entire Friday night hanging out in a ladies’ clothing store.

“Wait.” Jojo walked away from the mirrors and grabbed Eliza’s arms. “Now I need accessories. Can you help me find shoes, jewelry and maybe a bag?”

“Sure thing.” Eliza glanced at Chris. “Give us a few minutes more, okay?”

Sitting back down, Chris nodded. “I’ll be here.”

He watched the pair search through the accessories displays on the front left side of the store and the shoe section next to them. He could hear some of their conversation about what was currently “in” right now, and their chatter about shoes, necklaces and handbags threatened to put him to sleep. Still, he could see the rapport growing between Eliza and Jojo, and from where he sat, his daughter even seemed impressed with his former sweetheart. Moody and unpredictable as Jojo could be, impressing her was no small feat.

When Jojo finally piled her things up on the counter for Eliza to ring up, Chris marveled at the size of the pile. “Do you really need all of this, Jojo?”

“Well, Dad, I got the dress for the dance, plus an extra one, just in case.” Jojo picked up the items one by one as she explained. “Then I needed shoes, earrings, a necklace, a bracelet, this cute little bag...”

Chris put his hand up. “Okay, okay.” He reached for his wallet as a smiling Eliza started tallying the bill.

Ten minutes and a few hundred dollars later, Eliza handed a metallic silver bag over the counter to Jojo. “Here you go, honey. Have fun at the dance.”

Chris turned to leave, but Jojo hesitated.

“Can I have a minute, Dad?”

“Sure. I’ll wait by the door.” He walked away, taking up a post by the exit. From where he stood, he could hear them talking.

“I’d really like to be able to call you, if you don’t mind.” Jojo leaned over the counter. “That way I can find out when new stuff comes in, and get tips from you on fashion and stuff.”

“I don’t mind at all.” A smiling Eliza took one of the store’s business cards off the stack by the register and jotted something on the back. Passing it to Jojo, she winked. “Here’s my number.”

“Thanks. See you later.” Jojo tucked the card into her hip pocket and walked toward where Chris stood waiting at the door.

As they stepped out into the cool evening air, Chris commented, “You really like Eliza, huh?”

“She seems cool.” Jojo’s tone was nonchalant. She waited for Chris to open the passenger-side door of his midsize sedan, then climbed in.

He shut his daughter in, then climbed into the driver’s seat. While buckling up he asked, “Are you actually going to call her?”

Jojo chuckled. “I am. I wanna get the new stuff before everybody else does.” She squirmed a bit and reached into her pocket. Handing him the card, she said, “So, be sure to return this to me after you call her.”

Chris felt his eyes widen. “What?”

Jojo shook her head. “Come on, Dad. You’re crushing on her. Anybody can see that.”

“You’re very perceptive.”

“I know. That’s why I knew you’d need my help.”

Chris shook his head. Starting his car, he marveled at his daughter. “You’re amazing. Thanks, Jojo.”

“No problem, Dad. You can pay me back in new clothes.”

A laughing Chris backed out of the parking spot and pulled out into the road.

* * *

Later that night, Chris pulled the Ellicott’s business card out and punched the number into his phone.

“Hello?” Eliza’s voice filled his ear as she answered the call.

“Hi, Eliza. It’s me, Chris.”

“Chris?” The surprise in her voice was soon replaced with acceptance. “Got my number from Jojo, right?”

He chuckled. “Yeah, she helped me out.”

Eliza cleared her throat. “What can I do for you, Chris?”

He had many answers for that question, but he went with the most appropriate one. “I’m just calling to thank you for helping me out with Jojo today.”

“It’s no problem. She’s a sweet kid, and I was happy to help.”

“She’s pretty hard to please these days, but bringing her to Ellicott’s got me some major brownie points with her. I really appreciate it.”

Eliza laughed, the sound soft and musical. “Like I said, no problem. Actually, you already thanked me, by spending all that money in my store. I’d say we’re even.”

“Still, I’d like to do something for you. Why don’t you let me take you to dinner tomorrow night?”

She hesitated for a long moment. “I don’t know, Chris.”

“It’s just dinner. You gotta eat, right?”

She exhaled in his ear, then gave in. “Okay, Chris. I’ll go out with you, but it can’t be anyplace too fancy.”

“We’ll keep it casual, I promise.” Chris grinned at the thought of spending time alone with Eliza after all these years. “What time should I pick you up?”

“Eight. You’ll have to pick me up at the boutique.”

“That’s fine.” He didn’t know if she would be getting off work around that time, or she just didn’t want him at her house, but it didn’t really matter. “See you then. Good night, Eliza.”

“Night, Chris.” She disconnected the call.

Tucking his phone away, a smiling Chris strolled to the bathroom for a hot shower.

* * *

Saturday night, Eliza stepped out of Ellicott’s at five minutes to eight and found Chris’s car idling at the curb. She waved, walked toward the car.

He jumped out and held open the passenger door for her. “Good evening.”

She raked an appreciative gaze over his body, encased in dark denim jeans and a fitted black T-shirt. “Hi, Chris.” She slipped into the car and buckled up as he shut the door.

“You look nice,” he remarked as he settled in next to her and started the car.

She looked down at her tan slacks and white cap-sleeve blouse. “Thanks. It’s just what I wore to work today. You did say it would be casual.”

“It will be.” He pulled away from the curb.

They stopped off for dinner at the Burger Lounge on Fifth Avenue. It wasn’t far from Ellicott’s, and Eliza loved the food there. She chowed down on the cage-free turkey burger, while Chris enjoyed the classic Lounge burger. They shared a mixed basket of fries and onion rings.

Conversation flowed easily between them, and Eliza almost felt like they’d never been apart. “So, tell me about some of the buildings you’ve designed. Are there any around here that I might know?”

“Sure. But there’s so many of them, it would be easier to just drive you around the city and show them to you.” He popped an onion ring into his mouth.

Her eyebrow lifted. “Oh, really?” Was that his way of asking her out again? They’d only been together for about an hour on this outing.

He nodded. “Yes, really. There are about fifteen buildings in different locations around San Diego that are original Marland designs.” He wiped his mouth with a napkin. “But it’s up to you whether you want the tour.”