Free The Glass Slipper Project by Dara Girard Page B

the way to make Mariella’s plan work.”
    “I only hope you know what you’re doing.”
    She kissed Isabella’s cheek. “Don’t worry. I do. He’s nicer than you think, Izzy. I know he hurt your feelings, but I doubt he meant it.” She rubbed her hands together in anticipation. “Soon Alex Carlton will be mine.”
    Five hours later, Isabella sat in the living room trying to pretend that she was not waiting for Mariella’s return. When she heard a car drive up to the house she raced up the stairs not wanting to overhear any mushy goodbyes that might occur. She heard the front door open then close. By the time she went downstairs both Daniella and Gabby were peppering Mariella with questions in the sitting room.
    “It was wonderful,” Mariella said taking a seat as though she were a queen granting her public an audience. “He’s a complete gentleman.”
    Gabby smirked. “Which means he didn’t try to kiss you.”
    Mariella ignored her. “He drove me around an extra two hours because he enjoyed my company so much.”
    Isabella glanced at the clock. “I had wondered.”
    “It was wonderful. We drove completely out of town and went on little dirt roads I didn’t even know were there. He told me about his travels and all that he plans to do with the house. Now I’d like to rest.” She slowly rose to her feet then drifted up the stairs.
    Gabby turned to Isabella. “He spent an extra two hours with Mariella?”
    “Amazing,” Daniella said.
    Isabella agreed. “I know.”
    Gabby shrugged. “We’ll see how far he takes me.”
    Tony tossed his magazine aside when Alex returned to the apartment. “So how did it go?”
    Alex fell on the couch and rested his head back. “How did what go?”
    “Your date.”
    He sat up. “Oh is that what it’s called? I thought masochistic pleasures might be more appropriate.”
    Tony winced. “But you were with her a long time.”
    “I know,” he said slowly. “A minor error in judgment.”
    “Start with the good part.”
    He sighed and stared at the blank TV.
    “Alex?”
    He nodded. “Yes, I heard you.”
    “You mean there wasn’t a good part?”
    “She is very beautiful.”
    “Yes, we all know that.”
    He looked thoughtful. “She would make a great wife.”
    “Yes.”
    “If I could figure out a way to zip her mouth shut and keep her from moving, she’d be perfect.”
    Tony shook his head. “It couldn’t have been that bad.”
    “Do you want to know the first thing she asked me?” He didn’t give him a chance to reply. “Where would our second home be? Would I mind if she had a career as a model. And that if I want kids I’d better start now because her skin is still supple.” He sighed. “At least I know what she’s like and what I’d be in for. I have a date with Gabby next. We’ll see how that goes.”
    Tony nodded, but didn’t reply.
    That Friday, Alex took Gabby out. He also took her out Saturday and Sunday. When he asked her out again the following Thursday, it became evident that he favored her. Soon they were going out every week. January turned into February. A dozen red roses arrived for Valentine’s Day. Mariella was surprisingly philosophical about his choice. “I don’t care who he marries as long as it’s one of us,” she said. “It’s obvious Gabby is his favorite. I don’t mind. He’s too young for me anyway.”
    “By only six years,” Isabella said thinking of how much older she was than him.
    “That’s plenty. A man isn’t ripe until he’s past his thirties.”
    “He’s pretty mature.”
    “For his age, I guess. He’s perfect for Gabby. And they’ve gone out every week for about three weeks now. Izzy, I think my plan has worked. I think we will have a summer wedding.”
    As more weeks passed it became clear Mariella’s prediction might be correct. Alex preferred Gabby’s company to any other woman in town. February disappeared under March’s harsh assault, but no one paid attention to the weather.