Judy Duarte - Triplets Found - The Virgin's Makeover / Take a Chance on Me / And Then There Were Three

If Lissa weren’t in danger of falling for another old duck, he would.

Well, hell. Someone had to look out for her. She might have lost her virginity, but she was still innocent, as far as Sullivan was concerned.

He’d unleashed a lamb into the wild, so now it was his responsibility to look after her.

And for that reason, he planned to sit right here until Martinelli brought her home.

Lissa peered at her reflection in the mirror and sighed at the sight of puffy, dark circles under her eyes. They really didn’t surprise her. She’d spent most of last night in the cottage with Sullivan, which had left her sexually fulfilled, but exhausted.

She glanced at her wristwatch. Nearly five-fifteen. Anthony would be here any minute, if he wasn’t downstairs already. She probably should have canceled the date with him. And she wasn’t entirely sure why she hadn’t.

Maybe because Sullivan expected her to. And maybe because she didn’t want her lover to think she was making more out of their relationship than it was, or that she expected more than he was willing to give.

There was, of course, another reason she’d agreed to go out with Anthony. Other than that high-school fiasco with Milt Preston, Lissa had never been on a real date before.

Besides, Sullivan would be leaving soon. So where would that leave her? She had a life to think about, a future.

“Lissa,” her mom called from the living room. “Anthony is here.”

She took one last glance at the mirror, then headed downstairs. She’d chosen the same black dress she’d worn to the dinner party, rather than one of the more stylish outfits Jared had purchased. She looked all right—and certainly not like a woman who was having a heated affair on the sly.

A yawn slipped out, as she entered the spacious living room, where her mother and Anthony chatted on different sides of the sofa. She would definitely have to make this an early night.

“I’m sorry to keep you waiting,” Lissa told Anthony.

“No problem.” He stood and cast her a charming smile. “You look lovely.”

“Thank you.”

His gaze caressed her and lingered longer than was appropriate for a business dinner. She might have downplayed his romantic interest before, but she saw it now. Clearly. Sullivan had been right—about Anthony’s interest in her, but not about his character.

Anthony Martinelli was a very nice man. Too old for her, she supposed. But a good conversationalist. And handsome.

Who knew what might develop down the road. Wasn’t that why people dated? To learn more about each other? Of course, in Lissa’s case, she still had a lot to learn about herself—at least in affairs of the heart.

She turned to her mother, wondering whether her mom had picked up a vibe that this evening was a date and not at all business-related.

Mom merely smiled at the old family friend. “I hope you two get a chance to enjoy the meal, Anthony. Lissa has been so focused on Virgin Mist that she hasn’t taken any time for herself.”

Apparently, her mother thought bags under the eyes were the result of burning the midnight oil and not from making love until dawn.

“Shall we go?” Anthony asked.

“Do try to have some fun,” her mother said, as she walked them to the door.

“I’ll make sure of it, Donna.” Anthony placed a gentle hand upon Lissa’s back and escorted her out of the house and to his car.

“How do you think your parents will feel about us dating?” he asked, as they approached the top-of-the-line Lexus.

So, there it was. Out in the open. This was definitely a date.

“I’m not sure how they’ll feel, Anthony.” For some reason, Lissa wasn’t concerned about her parents’ reactions right now.

But shouldn’t she feel at least a tingle of excitement at his interest?

She glanced at the guest house, where Sullivan sat on the porch, and gave a little wave to acknowledge him. He didn’t act as though he’d seen her, but she suspected he had. And the scowl he wore told her he wasn’t a happy camper. Was he grumpy because he disliked Anthony? Or was it more than that?

A niggling sense of guilt swept over her.

Okay. So maybe she should have feigned a headache and canceled.

But it was too late now.

“I thought we’d have dinner on the coast,” Anthony said. “I hope that’s all right with you.”

“It sounds nice.” Lissa hadn’t made the thirty-mile drive in ages. “I didn’t get a lot of sleep last night, though. So I’d better warn you. I might start winding down early.”

“I’ll try not to keep you out too late,” Anthony said, appearing a bit disappointed but understanding.

Just before six o’clock, they arrived at Café Europa, the restaurant Anthony had chosen. Lissa found the small, intimate dining room with white plaster walls and dark wood beams quaint and appealing.

The maître d’ greeted Anthony like a favored customer, then sat them at a linen-draped table that displayed a crystal votive and a vase of tulips. A large bay window provided a majestic view of the rocky bluff, as well as the ocean.

“This is one of my favorite places to dine,” Anthony said, as he took the seat across from her.

“I can see why. The atmosphere is incredible.”

During the cocktail hour and dinner, Anthony was a perfect gentleman. And they spent a pleasant hour or two in conversation.

“How was your salmon?” he asked.

“It was wonderful. And so was the service. I’m surprised there isn’t a line waiting to get in.”

“Not many people know about this place—yet. But word will spread.” He scanned the interior. “I like the European flair.”

She smiled. “The atmosphere suits you.”

“It suits you, too.” A smile crinkled his eyes, yet he still didn’t look his age.

When the waiter returned with the processed credit card, Anthony added a tip and signed the receipt. “I suppose I’d better get you home.”

“That’s probably a good idea.” She’d hate to fall asleep in the car. He might think that she found him boring, which wasn’t the case.

He reached across the table and took her hand. “You know what they say about all work and no play.”

Yes, she did. After the reception, she and Sullivan had played all night long. But that would remain her secret. “As soon as we’ve officially launched Virgin Mist, I’ll consider a vacation.”

“Good.” He smiled and released her hand. “Are you ready to go?”

“Yes. Thank you. I had a wonderful time.” And she had. All in all, the evening had been much nicer than she’d expected. But she was glad it was over.

Nearly forty minutes later, they pulled into Valencia Vineyards and followed the long drive to the house. As Anthony parked, Lissa looked at the darkened cottage.

Apparently, Sullivan had gone to bed. He had to be as tired as she was. Maybe more so. She’d dozed off once or twice last night, in a pleasant afterglow. And each time she’d opened her eyes, she’d found him wide awake, watching her.

Anthony slid from the driver’s seat, then circled the car and opened her door. “I have tickets to the theater next Saturday. And I’d like you to join me.”

He took her hand and helped her from the car. His manners impressed her, flattered her. But that didn’t mean she felt good about going out with him again. Not while Sullivan was still working for the vineyard and living on the property. And even after Sullivan moved on, she suspected his memory would hold her back as well.

“I’m going to be pretty busy with Virgin Mist for the next couple weeks,” she said. “Maybe another time?”

“Of course.”

Again, she glanced at the darkened cottage. If truth be told, she was glad Sullivan had turned out the lights and gone to bed. It made things easier that way.