Lilliana Jones and the Temple of Groom Read online

  “Isn’t he living in Europe now?” asked Douglas, the vice president of engineering.

  Janet nodded and reached across the solid red oak table, wiping dust from the Polycom conference phone. “Rome, to be exact. And I need someone to fly there and drag his butt back here.”

  Laughter filled the room.

  Janet kept a straight face. “I’m serious. I tried to get him to come back, but he turned down my offer. And he hasn’t returned subsequent emails and phone calls. Word has it he’s ready to sign a contract with Samsung. I need a volunteer to fly to Rome and wine and dine Roberto until he says yes. We’ll pay him thirty percent more than the Samsung offer.” She glanced around the room, making eye contact with every single person. “Who will do it?”

  It only took a few seconds before the psychic’s words popped right back into Lilly’s head again.

  I see you going on a trip out of the country and meeting the man of your dreams. Your future husband.

  Was this the opportunity Madam Love talked about? Was Roberto Rossi the man of her dreams? Her future husband?

  “This is crazy,” said Lilly, digging her fingernails into the padded leather arms of the chair.

  “Not that crazy at all,” answered Janet, thinking Lilly was talking to her. “Sometimes you have to be proactive. Forget about the horns, it’s time to grab the bull by the balls. Well, not you, Lilly. I know you don’t fly, so I’ve already ruled you out for this.” Janet surveyed the room, waiting for someone to say yes.

  Everyone sat there.

  This couldn’t be what the psychic was talking about, could it? Was she supposed to volunteer? Her heart rate picked up as she considered the possibility.

  No way. This was crazy. There was no way she could fly to Rome for God knows how many hours. A one-hour flight was sixty minutes too much. This had to be a coincidence, but Lilly wasn’t feeling well.

  If you go against what is meant for you, if you try to fight it, you will suffer greatly and continue to live a very unhappy life.

  Lilly stood and took a few deep breaths.

  Janet took a few steps toward her. “Are you okay, Lilly?”

  The room started to spin, and the temperature was rising.

  Lilly grabbed the edge of the table. “I don’t feel so good.”

  Lilly stared up from her back on the floor at Janet, who hovered over her. Her brain was cloudy, but she was relaxed—like she had awakened from a nap. “What happened? Why am I on the floor?”

  “You passed out,” Janet said, fanning her with a folder.

  Lilly blinked twice. “Wow. Okay.”

  Fortunately, the company was big enough to have a paramedic on staff and she arrived within two minutes to make sure Lilly was okay.

  Then it all came back to her.

  The Bear. The Ferrari. Italy.

  The psychic was right. Lilly couldn’t fight it. She’d fallen for her last boyfriend and then he’d split on her. She’d placed all her hopes on him and when he dropped out of sight, she went into self-imposed exile. How could she have let a man do that to her? The wake-up call from the psychic snapped her out of her stupidity! She’d wasted three years for nothing. She didn’t want to be unhappy for the rest of her life. She wanted what every other person wanted.

  To love and to be loved.

  All of her friends were married. If the third prediction was true and she had to leave the country to meet her future husband, then she would do it! Her fear of flying was a huge issue, but people took tranquilizers for that, right? No more hiding from life. No more just going through the motions.

  Suddenly her adrenaline was pumping. She felt alive. She was on a mission. She would volunteer to go to Rome, and bring back Roberto, the man of her dreams.

  Wait a minute.

  Could Roberto really be the man of her dreams? She hadn’t seen him in years but did remember he was attractive. Sweet, too. She didn’t know him well, but there was no need to worry about that at the moment. It was time to take action.

  Lilly stretched her arms out. “Okay, I’m ready to get up.”

  Janet and the paramedic grabbed Lilly by the arms and helped her to her feet. They guided her to the chair to sit for a moment until she felt okay to walk. She felt much better. She smoothed out her clothes and took a deep breath.

  “You sure you’re okay?” asked Janet, handing her a bottle of water.

  Lilly nodded, opened the bottle, and took a swig. “Yeah. Much better.” This was it. She had to do it. “And I want to volunteer to go to Rome to bring back Roberto.”

  Janet jerked her head back, analyzed Lilly for a moment, and then gripped Lilly by the shoulders. “Did you hit your head?”

  Lilly laughed. “I know, I know. The girl who doesn’t like to fly or do anything wants to go to Rome.”

  Janet laughed along with her. “Maybe you should pass out more often because I like this new you. But I’m afraid you won’t be able to go to Rome.”

  She wasn’t expecting that response. “I don’t understand. You wanted a volunteer. You changed your mind?”

  “No, no. Not at all. William already volunteered.”

  Lilly scanned the room for William but he was gone. In fact, almost everyone else had left.

  After drinking more water and assuring Janet and the medical staff she was okay, Lilly headed back to her office and closed the door behind her.

  She leaned against the back of the door, staring across her office at the African violet on the windowsill that desperately needed water. She moved in that direction and emptied the rest of her water bottle in the soil, deep in thought.

  Something didn’t feel right.

  Like maybe she’d messed up and William had stolen her opportunity. What could she do? She had her chance and blew it. Was that it? Was she going to be unhappy for the rest of her life?

  A few seconds later she called Colette.

  “Does this mean you forgive me?” answered Colette.

  “The psychic was right. The bear. The Ferrari. And also—”

  “You saw a bear?”

  “Yes. No. Well, kind of. Colette, something freaky is going on. They offered us a chance to go to Rome to recruit Roberto, a former employee.”

  “Yes! I told you Madam Love was amazing. See how everything lined up for you? Do it! Go to Rome and meet your future husband. It must be Roberto.”

  Lilly sighed. “That’s just it. I tried but William beat me to it.”

  “No! Don’t you dare let that happen. You march right into William’s office and tell him you are the one who needs to go to Italy. Offer him your body if you have to.”

  “Very funny.”

  “Okay, don’t offer him your body, even though it might do you some good. Just go talk with him now. Convince him not to go. The writing is on the wall, sweetie. If you don’t go on that trip, you may regret this for the rest of your life.”

  Chapter Four

  “I think I’m going to pee myself right here in the airport,” said the woman talking on her cell phone next to Marco. “Then I’ll probably pee myself again when I get on the plane.”

  He scooted over as much as he could since their chairs were connected. Better safe than sorry. Hopefully, they wouldn't be seated next to each other on the flight.

  Marco turned to get a look at the woman who had no problem sharing her bodily function issues with everyone at Gate 18. Attractive. Around thirty. Big brown eyes that matched her hair. She wore snug black pants and a yellow blouse. She looked like a bumblebee.

  A bumblebee with a bladder problem.

  “I just need to get to Rome without dying,” she continued.

  Scratch that. A dramatic bumblebee with a bladder problem.

  “Then I’ll find Roberto and drag him back here.”

  Maybe she’s a bounty hunter.

  Marco cleared his throat, hoping to get the woman to lower her voice. He didn’t like to listen to other people’s conversations.

  “Colette, listen. You’ve flown a th
ousand times. This is my first time!”

  Now it made sense. It was amazing how many people had a fear of flying. Marco had been one of them long ago, but he learned a few tricks and the anxiety went away.

  “Thank you for waiting, ladies and gentleman,” said the airline employee on the PA system behind the ticket counter. “We would like to continue the pre-boarding process for Flight 5479 to Washington DC with continuing service to Rome. We invite first class passengers and Platinum members to board at this time.”

  Marco stood and grabbed hold of his carry-on. He rolled it toward the ticket agent and was sideswiped by Miss Drama-Weak-Bladder-Bounty-Hunter-Bumble-Bee and her angry carryon. She didn’t say a word and continued, stopping in front of the ticket agent.

  The woman fumbled with her boarding pass and dropped it, along with her ID and several other items. “So sorry.”

  “Not a problem at all,” said the agent. “Take your time.”

  Marco bent down to pick up her library card, checking out her name before handing it to her.

  Lilliana Jones.

  She scrambled to pick up the rest of her items. “Okay, okay. Here you go.” She handed the agent the boarding pass. “I also have my passport and social security card.”

  Marco chuckled. “Don’t forget the library card.”

  The woman gave Marco a look like she was annoyed with him helping. Either that or she was embarrassed that he saw her library card. He could always flash his own library card to make her feel better, but he opted to just keep quiet.

  “You don’t need any of that since you already passed through security,” said the agent, scanning the woman’s boarding pass and waving her through. “Enjoy your flight.”

  A few minutes later, Marco entered the first class cabin and stopped behind Miss Library Card. She opened the overhead compartment and grabbed her bag from the floor.

  Marco reached for her bag to help. “I can get that.”

  “I can handle it,” said the woman, bending down, grabbing the bag, and sliding it into the overhead compartment. She took a seat as Marco lifted his bag and placed it next to hers.

  He sat next to her and smiled. “I’m Marco.”

  “Lilly.”

  He nodded and grinned. “One of my favorite wines is named after you.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Lilly Pilly. It’s a family owned boutique winery in Australia. I’m going there next week. I don’t drink a lot of sweet wine but I drink theirs. Lilly Pilly. Good stuff.”

  “Thanks for sharing, Marco Polo.” She tucked some hair behind one of her ears and shrugged. “One of my favorite childhood games is named after you . . .” She clasped her seatbelt and pulled the excess belt tighter.

  “Lots of things rhyme with Lilly. Silly. Frilly. Chili.” Marco had a habit of rambling around good-looking women and Lilly would fit in that category. She reminded him of Sandra Bullock in the movie While You Were Sleeping.

  Quirky. Beautiful.

  Lilly unclasped the seatbelt and did it again. And again.

  “Nervous, Lilly?” asked Marco.

  She kept her eyes on a passenger walking down the aisle and waiting for him to pass before she whispered to Marco. “Terrified.”

  The flight attendant stopped at Marco’s side and smiled. “Care for a pre-flight drink?”

  “Coffee with sugar,” Lilly said.

  “You got it. You, sir?”

  “I’ll have the Gnarly Head cabernet.” He held up his index finger. “Just a moment . . .”

  “Of course.”

  Marco leaned into Lilly. “Caffeine exacerbates anxiety. Have a glass of wine instead.”

  Lilly stared at Marco for a few seconds and then raised her gaze back up to the flight attendant. “I changed my mind. I’ll have the . . .” She glanced at Marco. “What did you order?”

  “Gnarly Head.”

  Lilly nodded. “I’ll have the same.”

  “You got it,” said the flight attendant, walking away.

  Marco turned to Lilly. “Channel fourteen on the audio entertainment has soothing music, in case you need it.”

  She nodded. “Thank you. Sounds like you fly a lot.”

  “A little too much.”

  “Business?”

  “Yup. Rome for a few days. Then Australia for six months.”

  “Wow. What do you do for a living?”

  “I’m general manager of a winery.”

  “Ahh. I get it. You’re pushing the wine because it’s your livelihood.”

  Marco chuckled. “Yeah. Because that extra glass you ordered should keep the wine industry going strong for another year.” He laughed again. “What about you? Flying for business?”

  “Uh . . . kind of.”

  Marco waited for her to say something else but she opted to keep quiet.

  Twenty minutes later the captain made the announcement. “Flight attendants please prepare for take-off.”

  “Oh, God,” said Lilly. “This is it.” She slammed back the rest of her wine and grabbed the headphones from the seat-back pocket, slipping them over her head. She pressed her body back in her seat and turned up the music.

  Lilly closed her eyes, gripped one arm rest with her left hand, and latched onto Marco’s forearm with her right hand.

  Marco peeked to the left. She had her eyes closed. Could she possibly think his arm was the armrest?

  Holy crap, this woman has got the grip from hell.

  “Uh . . . Lilly?”

  She didn’t answer. She kept her eyes closed, her body rigid, listening to the music in her headphones. It looked like she was trying to psych herself out and get distracted.

  And his arm was paying the price.

  He would have never thought that a woman her size would have that type of strength. The pain was becoming unbearable, but he didn’t want to say anything since the plane was moving, almost airborne. This was helping her cope with her fear of flying. He’d worry about all the damage from the lack of circulation in his arm and her embedded fingernails later.

  The airplane left the ground, and she squeezed his arm even tighter.

  God. She’s like a boa constrictor, trying to cut off the blood supply to my hand.

  “I don’t want to die,” Lilly said, yanking the headphones from her head and taking deep breaths.

  Marco glanced over and spoke through his gritted teeth, not able to take it anymore. “I’m the one who will die if you don’t let go of my arm.”

  She opened her eyes. “What are you talking about?”

  Marco pointed to her hand squeezing his arm. “Your death grip. You’re killing me.”

  Lilly looked down and realized she had been squeezing Marco’s arm instead of the armrest. She released his arm and inspected it. It was red and purple and looked like it had been passed through a meat grinder.

  “Oh, my God,” Lilly said, grimacing. “I’m so sorry.”

  Marco lifted his arm and winced. He opened and closed his fist a few times and stretched his arm out in front of him. Then he rubbed his arm and frowned. “Remind me never to arm wrestle you or get on your bad side.”

  Lilly snorted and threw her hand over her mouth.

  “Great. Now you’re laughing at me.”

  “Sorry.” She laughed again. “It’s horrible what I did to your arm but funny too, you have to admit.”

  “I don’t see the humor.” He opened and closed his fist again. “At least the feeling is coming back.”

  The flight attendant returned with more wine. “Refill?”

  Marco and Lilly both said yes.

  Lilly couldn’t believe what she had done to Marco. Especially after he had been so kind in recommending the wine and relaxing music. She felt powerful. She had no idea she could cause so much damage. Oddly enough, she felt much better.

  She looked around the plane and then opened the window shade. They were in the air. And she was okay.

  “I can’t believe it.”

  Marco chuckled. “I can�
��t either.”

  “No, not your arm. Well, I can’t believe that either but I’m talking about the plane. We’re flying.”

  “That we are.”

  “And I didn’t freak out.”

  “I would like to disagree with you one thousand percent.”

  “Seriously. Yes, I mangled your arm, but I expected to scream and cry like a baby and pee myself. And I didn’t.” She turned to Marco. “Thank you.”

  “I didn’t do anything.”

  “Yes, you did. You distracted me. And I can’t believe you said nothing when I grabbed your arm.”

  He shrugged. “Just trying to help . . .”

  Lilly didn’t know the man, but it was obvious he was a good person. She casually glanced over. She had been so filled with anxiety she didn’t even realize how good-looking he was. The typical woman’s dream man. Tall, dark, and handsome. She dropped her gaze down to his torn-apart arm regaining its natural color. Then checked out his fingernails.

  Well-groomed. She liked that.

  He lifted his arm and surveyed the damage again. “It’ll be okay. I was mauled by a bear once and this was a little better than that.”

  She laughed and her thoughts drifted to the psychic and her prediction of the bear. Funny how things changed so quickly. She was convinced in her mind she would never travel on a plane and there she was on the way to Rome. Everything the psychic had predicted so far had come true. The bear. The expensive car. Traveling out of the country. The only thing left was meeting her future husband. She glanced over at Marco again.

  It can’t be him. He travels for a living and will be in Australia for months.

  After the meal service, Marco stood to let Lilly out of her seat to use the restroom. She slid from between the seats and hit her leg on the last armrest, wobbling and grabbing Marco’s shoulders to keep from falling.

  Marco grabbed her by the waist to stabilize her, a concerned look on his face. “You okay?”