Free Irresistible? by Stephanie Bond Page B

dear,” Gloria asked when they were on their way, “what do you do for a living?”
    Ellie hesitated a split second, then said, “I was laid off from a secretarial job a few days ago.” She saw Mark frown at the news, then his face cleared, as if in understanding. He winked at Ellie in the mirror. He thought she was making it up to get under his mother’s skin!
    â€œSo you’re unemployed?” his mother asked, her disapproval thinly veiled.
    Ellie ground her teeth, but maintained a sweet and pleasant voice. “Well, I’m really an artist, working on my portfolio and doing commissions on the side—like painting your son’s portrait.”
    â€œAn unemployed artist,” Gloria chirped. “How interesting.” She addressed Ellie by looking at her in the side-door mirror. “My late husband dabbled in paint—it never earned him a penny.”
    Ellie sat back in her seat, biting off a defensive retort. Gloria Blackwell had disliked her on sight. That fact might have bothered her if she thought this thing with Mark was going anywhere. But since he’d made it clear he wasn’t interested in pursuing a relationship, she could relax. So what if his mother pooh-poohed her occupation and clothes? Mark said he wanted to go for shock value. For three hundred and fifty dollars, she’d be Madonna for a day.
    â€œSo how did you meet my son?”
    â€œThe first time we met, he dumped a cola in my lap and paid me off to avoid a scene.”
    â€œAnd...the next time?” Gloria ventured.
    â€œIn the men’s room at his law office. Your son has an enormous—”
    â€œI don’t think—” Gloria tried to interrupt.
    â€œâ€”bladder,” Ellie finished.
    Gloria fanned herself. “Do your parents live in Atlanta?”
    â€œNo, Florida.”
    Mark’s mother breathed an audible sigh of relief at finding a safe subject. “That’s nice. Are they retired?”
    â€œSemi-retired,” Ellie said pleasantly. “They run a restaurant.”
    â€œHow lovely!”
    â€œAt a nudist colony.”
    Gloria gasped and a sudden fit of coughing seized Mark.
    Ellie bit back a wry smile.
    For the rest of the drive, Gloria conversed with Mark, making general comments about the picnic and who would be there. Ellie guessed Mark’s mother would not be directing any more questions her way, so she relaxed into the soft leather seat and listened to the woman’s chatter.
    â€œDid I tell you your uncle Jerome will be there? I know you’re not fond of him, Marcus, but he is your grandmother’s only brother. He’s married again, did you know?”
    Ellie smiled as Mark made a big show of counting off on his fingers. “Is this the fourth wife, or the fifth?”
    â€œFifth. You know the second Julia was really a gem—we all wish he’d kept her.”
    â€œI don’t remember his second wife.”
    â€œNo, I’m talking about Julia, his third wife. His second wife was also Julia, but we didn’t care for her. She sniffed all her food before eating it. Always sniffing, it was very annoying. But his third wife, Julia—the second Julia, we always called her—now there was a nice girl. Real Southern manners, and a proper wife she was.”
    Ellie couldn’t resist. “If she was such a proper wife, why did he get rid of her?”
    Gloria jerked her head around quickly, as if she’d forgotten about their passenger. She adjusted the mirror so she could see Ellie. “I really wouldn’t know,” she said airily, as if gossiping was beneath her, then adjusted the mirror back with a snap.
    â€œHere we are,” Mark said cheerfully, shoving the gearshift into Park and turning off the ignition.
    â€œHow am I doing?” Ellie whispered as they walked to the back of the car.
    â€œGreat,” he said, smiling. “I think she hates you.”
    Ellie frowned, then