by Tricia Saxby
Leo barely heard his brother. He was still reflecting on the text he’d received from Robert on the drive there. Karen had said yes. His body hummed with nervous energy. She was going. She was giving him another chance. He felt like a giddy teenager about to go on a first date with the head cheerleader.
“Earth to Leo.” Luke tapped him on the shoulder.
“Sorry. What?”
“You okay?”
“Yeah… yes. My plan is falling into place.”
“Good news then, right?”
Leo closed his eyes and focused on the twittering of the winter birds. “Why am I so nervous?”
“Because your girl has given you another chance and you’re about to reveal your heart to her. The unknown is scary.”
Leo looked at Luke with a newfound respect. “Listen to you, Mr. Romance.”
Luke punched Leo in the shoulder. “Shut up.”
“Touchy,” Leo mumbled, rubbing his shoulder.
“So, now that I have a visual, why don’t you tell me about your plans for this place?” Luke said, changing the subject with his usual suaveness.
Leo noticed Walter making his way toward them and waved. “This is Walter, the best man for the job. He will give you such a detailed tour you’ll never want to leave.”
“That’s what I want to hear. Hello, Walter, I’m Luke, Leo’s brother.” He extended his hand in welcome.
“Ah, you are twins?” Walter asked, looking from one brother to the other.
Luke laughed. “We get that a lot, but no. I’ve got a good five years on him.”
“Hey, that makes it sound like I look old and you look young,” Leo complained.
“It is what it is, baby brother.” Luke grinned and stepped out of the way of Leo’s punch.
“Hmph.”
“Come then,” Walter said, turning away and heading to the vineyard.
Leo checked his watch. It was close to noon. Lots of time for a quick tour, the two-hour drive back to the city, and then the gala. Having Luke there to see what a gem the B&B was and to have his support was priceless. Imagining Karen in the gown he’d picked out for her and holding her in his arms again as they danced the night away was so precious. So this was what happiness felt like. It’d been so long, he’d practically forgotten. Everything was falling into place.
Walter didn’t disappoint. After getting a thorough background on the vines, they headed inside for a tour of the house where Leo showed Luke his diagrams for the renovations. Bea made them a late lunch of Margherita pizza, and Walter paired it with the perfect dry rosé.
Happy and full, Leo and Luke said their goodbyes and got inside the Jeep 4x4 Luke had rented for his visit. A much better ride than Leo’s Porsche in the winter weather.
A steady stream of jazz played on the radio as Leo professionally navigated the Jeep onto the highway. The sun shone and there was barely a cloud in the sky, but the snow was still piled high in the ditches. He quickly glanced at the dashboard clock and saw it was four o’clock. Anxiety churned in his stomach. The tour and lunch had taken way longer than he’d thought. The drive itself took two hours if traffic was light, but with the start of rush hour, Leo had his doubts.
He put his foot on the clutch and shifted into fifth gear. The Jeep jerked forward as Leo sped up.
“Take it easy, leadfoot.”
“We took longer than I planned. With rush hour, we’ll be lucky to get back to the condo, change, and be at the gala before Karen gets there.”
“Ah, yes, your grand plan.”
Leo stole a quick look over at his brother. He didn’t miss the sarcasm. “I can’t screw this up.”
“You don’t think she’d understand?”
“I’ve hurt her so much. Her trust is like a spider web right now.”
“A unique analogy. Why do you think Karen is so fragile?”
“I don’t think—” Leo started to shout then took a deep breath and eased back on the gas pedal.
“You want everything to be perfect, but life isn’t perfect.”
“I know that, Luke. Better than you do.”
“Perhaps. But what I’m trying to say is the best plans are the ones unplanned.”
Leo turned on the windshield wipers as a light rain began to fall. Luke had a good point. Used to solving problems and making friends with extravagant gifts, for Leo it was a no-brainer to do the same with Karen. But Karen was not in the same scope. She deserved so much better and a more personal approach. Yet he’d sent the picture of Emily after the gown and jewels, as if it were an afterthought.
He slammed his palm on the steering wheel. “What was I thinking?”
“A quick way to happily-ever-after is my first guess.” Luke reached over to turn down the music.
Leo slapped Luke’s hand. “No one touches the dials.”
“This is my car, not yours,” Luke argued back.
“I’m driving.”
“I’m navigating.”
Leo’s thoughts drifted to a few days earlier, when Karen had navigated on their drive to the B&B. That had been quite a day. In his mind’s eye, he pictured them holding hands and strolling up and down the vineyard rows on a hot summer day or sitting in front of a roaring fire with a glass of wine in the middle of a winter storm, cozy and safe in each other’s arms. A future with Karen suddenly seemed within reach.
But a future with someone else had his stomach in knots. He’d always envisioned being a bachelor until his dying day. Racing cars and playing poker then retiring to restore old cars in the garage. As dull as that may have sounded to some people, that future gave him comfort.
Leo tightened his grip on the steering wheel and twisted his hands. The wailing sound of a trumpet solo from the jazz station had his heart pumping rapidly. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. What did he know about real relationships anyway? He lived for life in the fast lane, sleeping in until noon, partying every night, and changing girlfriends at the first spark of boredom. He did what he wanted, when he wanted. Never needing anyone’s permission or advice. This stint in New York was only a welcome break from the ordinary. He wasn’t supposed to fall in love with Karen or a vineyard—but he’d gone and done both.
Panic set in good and deep. He glanced over at Luke, who was humming along to the melody of a peppy jazz tune. What would his brother say to him if he called it all off and went home, pride wounded but his heart still intact? His brother could have the B&B, and Karen would understand…eventually.
“Look out!”
As they rounded a curve in the highway, a traffic jam that stretched as far as they could see twisted ever closer. Leo shifted down, pressed on the clutch, and then hit the brake. The Jeep came to a grinding stop inches from the semi-truck in front of them.
“You okay?” Leo asked Luke, his breathing ragged.
“Yeah, you?”
Leo could only nod.
“I’m going to find out what’s going on.” Luke got out and approached the truck ahead of them. He returned a few minutes later and shook his head. “The truck driver radioed a buddy up ahead. There’s a bad accident about a mile away. Traffic is closed on both sides.”
Leo picked up his cell phone and found no signal. “You got a signal?”
Luke checked his phone and shook his head. “No.”
“We must be in a dead zone,” Leo said. Which was where he’d be with Karen if he didn’t get out of this mess.
»»•««
Karen did up the clasp of the amethyst necklace and stood back from the mirror. She really did look like a midnight Cinderella. How Leo had gotten her measurements for the dress and heels remained a mystery, one she’d get him to confess someday.
The thought of having a someday with Leo put a smile on her face as she squirted a tiny amount of hair gel into her palm and ran her fingers through the back of her hair, creating definition. For earrings she chose solitary diamonds, which she slipped on before grabbing her black cape and heading downstairs to wait for Robert.
> She had the house to herself, as Mike had taken his girlfriend out for dinner and dancing. She put the innumerable TV remotes away and wiped crumbs off the couch cushions before stopping to look at the picture of Emily she’d left on the coffee table. Emily had Leo’s dark blond hair and the same nose. Karen wondered what tragedy had taken this lovely, carefree girl away from her family. She also wondered why Leo had sent her this particular picture.
Tonight would be a night for answers, whether she liked them or not. Her stomach churned in response to her nervousness. Seeing him again after these two days apart would wreak havoc on her body and her heart. She needed her mind to be in top form, as she had more in store tonight than confronting Leo.
The doorbell rang. Karen checked her reflection in the mirror and then opened the door for Robert.
“Good evening, mademoiselle.”
“Good evening, Robert. How are you?”
“I am well, and you look absolutely divine.”
Karen felt her cheeks burn pleasantly from the compliment. “You are too sweet.”
“Come, let’s get your coat on and get you into the limo where it is nice and warm. I have some champagne on ice for you as well—to help with the nerves.”
“You think of everything.”
Robert bowed his head in thanks then proffered his arm to escort her to the limo. “Here we go,” she muttered under her breath.
The traffic came to a standstill two blocks from the venue. Karen rolled down her window to see what was going on.
“It’s not the ideal venue, Ms. Karen. There is no parking and the snow is slowing everything down.”
“So it would seem. Did you want me to get out and walk?”
“Definitely not. And Master Leo would have my head.”
Karen closed her window and turned up the heat on her seat. “Where is Leo? Am I supposed to meet him inside?”
“Yes. I will get you there as quickly as I can, but you might miss the award ceremony.”
“I’ve no interest in that.”
“Well, then sit back and enjoy your bubbly, Ms. Karen. Can I put on some music for you?”
Karen nodded and took a sip from her glass. She had to admit the champagne was going to her head quite fast, as she’d forgotten to eat. She checked her cell phone for the umpteenth time then sent Kim a text. Kim texted back immediately saying the award ceremony was almost finished and there’d be some dancing before the fashion show. Karen’s fingers flew across the keyboard. Is Ms. Vale there?
She was. Haven’t seen her in a while.
Weird. Is Mr. St. Clare there?
No. Haven’t seen him yet.
A feeling of dread filled her. The rational side of her knew the place was packed and Kim may have missed him. But the sensitive side that had been hurt one too many times couldn’t help being suspicious of the fact that Leo and Natasha were nowhere to be found.
She could feel the limo inching forward and started going stir-crazy. When Robert stopped for a group of people crossing the street, Karen flung the door open and stepped out. Robert’s yells faded when she slammed the door shut and rushed to the sidewalk.
There were people everywhere, laughing and shouting. One man played guitar for a small group of giggling women dressed seductively, with fur stoles wrapped around their bare shoulders. Karen averted her eyes whenever someone looked at her, and she quickened her pace. She could see the entrance to The Attic and the long lineup that snaked around the corner.
Her stomach churned again and nausea rose to her throat. By the time she got inside, she’d have missed everything. Stopping suddenly in the middle of the sidewalk, she texted Kim again.
I’m right outside. The line isn’t moving.
Check with security. Most of those people are waiting to see celebrities come out and don’t have invites.
Karen gave a sigh of relief and tightened her cape before heading closer. She’d barely taken a step when she noticed three men eyeing her and making their way closer. She took another step forward and felt a hand grabbing her shoulder from behind.
“Let go of me!” Karen screamed, and she flung her arms in the air.
“Ms. Karen, it’s me.”
Robert turned her around, and Karen stared at him for a few seconds before placing her forehead on his chest. “Oh my God, Robert. You scared me half to death.”
“What were you thinking, leaving the limo like that?” he berated her.
“I need to get inside.”
“And you will—”
“Where is Leo?”
“Miss?”
“I have a friend inside who hasn’t seen him all evening. Is he with Natasha Vale?”
“Oh, no. He hasn’t seen her since she was at the condo the other night.”
If she hadn’t already been cold, she surely would’ve felt all the color drain from her face. She’d been a fool to believe, yet again, that Leo had changed. She checked her phone again, but no messages from him flashed up. When her phone vibrated in her hand, her heart leapt, but it was Kim.
I see you. Come on.
“I’ve got to go, Robert. My friend is waiting for me.”
“I will escort you.”
Remembering the men who were hovering nearby, she nodded her consent. Kim was standing beside the security guard, bouncing on her toes to keep warm. Karen kissed Robert on the cheek and said her thanks, and then Kim grabbed her hand and pulled her inside the very warm lobby of The Attic.
Body-pulsing music filled the room as they slowly made their way to the coat check.
“You look amazing,” Kim praised when Karen turned around.
Karen’s smile was genuine. “Thank you.” She took in Kim’s loose, flowing pink gown then gave her a hug. “That dress is smashing.”
“It hides imperfections.”
“There is nothing to hide yet. You models are too picky.”
Kim shrugged. “Wanna grab a drink?”
Karen did want to drink, a lot, but shook her head. “Is there any food?”
“Oh, yes. A great buffet in the next room.”
“Is Richard here yet?”
“Of course. He’s been here since six.”
“Good.”
Kim’s phone buzzed and her smile disappeared. “Oh no.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Ms. Vale’s here.”
“Are you working for her tonight?”
“Yes.”
“Then you better get back there pronto. I’ll find Richard and make sure everything is good to go. Remember, we’re the last entry.”
If Natasha was there then there was a good chance Leo was as well, Karen thought. She grabbed a small plate of food from the buffet and started mingling. Robert had been right; it wasn’t the best venue for a fashion event in the middle of winter. In the summer, though, it would be gorgeous outside on the deck, with all the glimmering lights from the surrounding skyscrapers.
Tonight propane fire pits were lit and plotted out at intervals to keep the heat under the tall canopy that shielded them from snow and wind. Surprised at how many people were actually outside, Karen walked out to be greeted with comfortable warmth and not the stuffy heat from the people dancing inside.
She made her way to the ledge on the far side of the deck, but her body shook from the cold. There were no fires there. She grabbed a glass of white wine from the waiter and brought it to her lips. Her nose wrinkled from the sourness, and she decided to try another sip. The taste did improve with each sip she took, and soon the glass was empty. Dammit.
Another full glass of white wine appeared before her. “Can I join you this time?” a deep voice asked.
Leo stood beside her like a dream. His amber eyes glowed, and his hair was pulled back in a ponytail. The black suit and silver shirt he wore seemed ready to burst open at his chest and shoulders. The long jacket hid his buttocks, but the pants were form-fitting and went on forever. He was her midnight Prince Charming, and he oozed gorgeousness.
Reining in her lust, Karen set a steely glare on Leo as all her insecurities rushed to the surface. Even though he was there and safe, she’d never felt more vulnerable or exposed, and she hated him for that.
She did the only thing she could think of to stem the green monster that grew inside her. She threw the contents of her wine glass into Leo’s face.
»»•««
“Bloody hell, Karen!”
Karen snatched a napkin from a nearby table and passed it to him.
“Sorry,” she mumbled. “Bad taste to do that when you look so hot.”
Leo choked back a laugh as he wiped the liquid from his face. At least she’d had good aim. Only the front of his suit was damp. “I’m sure I deserved it.”
Karen tilted her chin and nodded. He noticed a slight tremble in her features and took a deep, calming breath.
“You look absolutely breathtaking. Better than I ever imagined.”
The blush in her cheeks enhanced her beauty, and he wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms.
“If I get you another drink, do you promise not to throw it at me?”
“Yes, I promise.”
Leo lifted two wine glasses off a passing waiter’s tray and handed one to Karen. Lifting his glass up, he tilted it to touch the rim of hers in a toast but said nothing. What was there to say that didn’t sound like an excuse or manipulation?
He had so much to say and no idea where to begin. Perhaps asking why he got wine in the face was as good a place as any.
“It’s been a long time since a woman threw alcohol in my face.”
“I’m sure it won’t be the last.”
Leo laughed. “Probably not.”
Karen was shivering uncontrollably now. He removed his jacket and placed it over her shoulders. “That’s sexy. Like a tuxedo dress.”
“Oh, no! I forgot.” Karen put her glass on the table and made a beeline for the door.
Leo caught up and grabbed her elbow. “Karen, where are you going?
“Backstage.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
Karen paused and bit her lower lip. Oh, how he wanted to kiss those lips. They did such naughty, wonderful things to his body.
“You’re probably right. Can you go for me?”