The Main Attraction

by Dara Girard

  She shrugged. “Sorry, couldn’t help myself.” She peered closer at his tattoo. “Yes, it is Charlotte. I see the little details. I loved that story! I read it so many times. Jason loves it too. Did you cry when she died? I bet you did.”

  He blinked.

  She grinned. “I bet you cried buckets.”

  He narrowed his eyes; she laughed.

  “Don’t worry. I did too.” She kissed the image. “I didn’t realize my boyfriend was so romantic.”

  “Romantic?”

  She nodded then looked away and he saw a sad expression pass over her face.

  “What’s wrong?”

  She paused before she said, “I just lost a friend.”

  His gaze grew serious. “I’m sorry. How old?”

  “No, no, she didn’t die,” Corinne said with a guilty laugh. “I said that wrong. She—we broke up. I’ve known her since high school so it’s been a blow. It’s hard to lose a friend.”

  “Yes.” Brett lifted his hand and tenderly touched her cheek. His face spread into a slow smile. “But now you have a new one.” He tapped the picture on his upper arm. “You’re the only girlfriend I’ve ever told about this. Want to know why I chose her?”

  She nodded.

  “Because she’s a true friend and I know how important they are.”

  “That is so sweet.”

  He frowned. “I wasn’t trying to be sweet.”

  “I didn’t know you were such a softie.”

  He shook his head. “I’m not.”

  She pulled the bedsheets back and looked over the rest of him. “Will I find a picture of a very hungry caterpillar, Stuart Little or a dancing pig perhaps?” She paused when she looked down his torso and then looked at his legs. “Where are the other ones?”

  “That’s what I wanted to tell you. I only have two.”

  Corinne sighed with feigned disappointment. “Only two?”

  “Yes. Go to sleep.” He closed his eyes. He didn’t know why he’d told her the truth about his spider tattoo. He could have lied. It was something she had over him now. It meant a level of trust he wasn’t used to giving anymore. But seeing her smile had been worth it. His mother was right, he was in deep trouble.

  Chapter Thirty

  And it didn’t get better when Delaney showed up at his house. He’d carelessly opened the front door that summer evening thinking it was Corinne. They were going to order food and watch a movie. But instead of Corinne’s bright friendly grin he was greeted by an attractive brown-skinned woman dressed in a black lace blouse and jeans and high heels. Her cool brown eyes met his.

  He blinked at the sight of her, shocked that she could still affect him.

  How could it still hurt to see her? How could the wounds from so many years ago still feel so fresh?

  “What are you doing here?”

  “Would you believe me if I said I was in the neighborhood?” she said with a grin.

  “I wouldn’t believe you if you said it was raining outside.”

  Delaney glanced behind her at the light drizzle beating against her red Mini Cooper. She turned back to him and sighed. “When are you going to forgive me?”

  “What do you want?”

  “You know it’s not healthy— Wait!” she said when he started to close the door. “I really need your help. There are a few things—”

  “No.”

  “I just need—”

  “I don’t care what you need. If you’re on some assignment from your therapist consider it a failure and go.”

  “Poor Brett. You’re still in love with me,” she said then she touched his cheek in a way he wished Corinne would and, to his shame, he let her before he pushed her hand away. “Go home.”

  “You wouldn’t be so angry if you weren’t.”

  “I’m angry because you’re wasting my time.”

  She sniffed. “Yes, you and your precious time.”

  “Exactly and I’m expecting someone soon so—”

  Delaney lifted a finely arched eyebrow. “Does she know about me? About you?”

  “Goodbye.” He began to close the door.

  “Or am I still a ghost? You certainly are to me.”

  Her words made him pause. He pulled her inside and closed the door. He wanted to get rid of her before Corinne arrived and knew she wouldn’t go until she got her way. She’d stay and approach Corinne alone if he let her and he couldn’t allow that. “What do you want?”

  “I was wrong,” she said her gaze pleading for understanding. “I realize how much now.”

  Brett folded his arms. “I’m happy for you.”

  “I made a lot of mistakes. I can’t apologize enough and—”

  Brett ground the words through clenched teeth. “What. Do. You. Want?”

  “Gran doesn’t know about our breakup—”

  “Impossible. It’s been years.”

  Delaney wrung her hands looking guilty. “I sorta told her we’d gotten back together. She liked you so much and she’s not well. If you could just visit her and let us pretend for one day that we’re still together it would mean the world to her. She still talks about you. That’s all I ask.”

  His hands fell to his hips. “No.”

  “She’s dying Brett. She has a couple months left, maybe. It’s not long.” Delaney swallowed. “You two were so close.”

  He lowered his gaze, feeling his resolve weakening. “I can’t.”

  “Just one visit. You know our canceled wedding hurt her more than anyone. She was looking forward to it. It was going to be the first time she ever—”

  Brett shook his head. “I don’t care.” But he did. Too much. He swore. “I can’t.”

  “I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t desperate.”

  He opened the door. “You need to go.”

  “You know how to reach me if you change your mind. Don’t punish her because of me.” Delaney grabbed his hand, her grip urgent and familiar. “Please. I’ll never ask for anything else.”

  “I think you should do it,” Corinne said. They sat on the couch with a half eaten veggie pizza sitting on the coffee table in front of them. Brett had been too distracted to watch a movie and instead had told her about Delaney’s visit.

  He looked at her surprised. “Really?”

  Corinne nodded. “If she’s dying and it would make her happy...”

  Brett leaned his head back and groaned. “I can’t believe my girlfriend agrees with my ex-girlfriend about a plan to lie to her grandmother that we’re still a couple.”

  “You told me that it’s just one visit.”

  He lifted his head. “What if she gets better?”

  “Then we should find a way to bottle you up as a miracle cure for those on the verge of death.”

  “I’m serious.”

  “You don’t think she’s dying?”

  He sighed. “I don’t think Delaney would make that up, but I’ve learned not to always trust her.”

  “Did you like her?”

  He paused. “Actually, I loved her,” he said in a quiet voice. “I thought I was going to marry her.”

  Corinne shook her head. “Not Delaney. I meant her grandmother.”

  Brett felt his face burn, he’d revealed too much. “Oh, right. Yes, I did like her.”

  “Then there’s nothing wrong with a last goodbye, right?”

  A last goodbye. You know how much our canceled wedding had hurt her...she was looking forward to it… He rubbed his chin as an idea slowly grew in his mind. He did want to see Delaney’s grandmother again and he wanted to make up for a chance she’d missed.

  “What’s that look for?” Corinne asked, studying his face. “Are you going to do it?”

  “No, I have a better idea, but I need you to do me a favor.”

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Somehow she wasn’t surprised that cancer would take her. Ruth Hayson had reached her eighty-first year the hard way. The second eldest of seven children with a mother who was put in a facility when s
he was eleven and a father who died when she was fifteen, she’d spent most of her life inside one factory or another all along the south and east coast. Every day had been a hardship, first caring for her brothers and sisters and then the man she finally married. He was a good man, but offered her few tender words or feelings. She liked pretty things although she was never able to afford them.

  So she lived through her grandchildren. Their fancy education and fine clothes made all her hardship worth it. They’d gotten a future she’d dreamed for them. But she still wished she’d been able to have a little prettiness before her time on Earth came to an end. Her children thought the tiny bouquet she kept by her bedside was foolish, as was the soft peach comforter she’d saved up for. She’d asked them to buy something similar two birthdays ago, but her son had gotten her a silly cell phone instead, telling her it was more useful. Her family was always treating her to useful, practical things. They never listened to what she truly wanted. Like scented candles and nice, frilly curtains to put on the windows to match the decorative comforter, something to add beauty inside her room. She knew she wouldn’t be leaving the nursing facility alive, she wished it could have been a little prettier. She sat in her armchair and let her gaze sweep over the dull room and sighed. She turned when she heard a knock on the door. She saw one of the nurses, a friendly woman from some African country whose name she kept forgetting, walk in with a big friendly smile. “Ms. Hayson, you have a visitor.”

  Before she could ask who, a man walked in. She hadn’t seen him in so long she wondered if she had fallen asleep and was dreaming. “Brett?”

  He walked over and kissed her on the cheek, and for a moment she was greeted by the scent of tangerine and cedar, the soft touch of his lips made her skin feel young again. “It’s been a while,” he said, “but I can finally keep my promise.”

  She frowned, confused. “Promise?”

  “Yes.” He turned. He was leaving and she felt her heart break a little. “No, don’t go, please. Stay awhile longer.”

  He sent her a secretive look. “I’m not going anywhere. I’ll see you soon.”

  But before she could ask more questions one of the nursing assistants came in holding a silver gown and another followed with a pair of shoes and a scarf followed by a third pushing a hair and makeup trolley. “What’s going on?”

  The first nurse beamed. “You’re going to have an evening you won’t forget.”

  Ruth became more certain she was dreaming when they helped her into the lovely silk dress, she’d never had such beautiful soft fabric touch her skin. Then they styled her wig and did her makeup before they added a sparkling rhinestone tiara.

  When they rolled her wheelchair into the recreation room, where the residents usually did activities and listened to guest speakers, Ruth stared around in wonder. The room had been transformed into an elegant ballroom with soft lights and silver streamers, music filtered through the speakers and she turned to see a DJ on the stage. Finally her gaze fell to a round table covered in a white tablecloth where a setting of two silver lined plates and a single red rose sat waiting.

  Brett walked up to her and held out his hand. “Tonight I will make your dream come true,” he said and she felt tears in her eyes because she’d let that dream die.

  Beauty. He’d remembered she’d always wanted a little beauty in her life.

  She’d told him years ago that she’d always wanted a night like this. A night wearing beautiful clothes and plenty of food to eat. She’d wanted to dance in the arms of a handsome man and Brett had promised that on his wedding day he’d treat her like a queen.

  His wedding hadn’t happened. Ruth hadn’t been too surprised. She hadn’t thought her granddaughter the best match for him. Ruth had met him several years ago at a local gym when she was taking a senior dance class. He’d been friends with their instructor and would drop by occasionally when he was in town and cheer them on. He’d been fun and friendly.

  Delaney had put her hooks into him the moment Ruth had introduced them one day when her granddaughter had come to pick her up. Ruth loved her blood, but knew Delaney only saw a handsome, ambitious young man with the potential to look good by her side and make her happy. She didn’t see the tender, loving man he truly was. She had a selfish streak and wasn’t a good match for him. It still hurt Ruth how right she’d been.

  She never thought she’d see him again, but here he was remembering his promise despite all the pain he’d suffered. Still the tender, loving man she’d remembered. She could hardly see him through her tears.

  He handed her some tissues. “Don’t cry.”

  She wiped her eyes. “This is too much. You didn’t have to do all this.”

  “A promise is a promise.”

  “So…it’s true? You’re back with Delaney?”

  He hesitated before he said, “No.”

  Ruth sighed in relief. “That’s good. Have you finally forgiven yourself?” she whispered. “Are you happy now?”

  She saw a touch of sadness enter his gaze before it disappeared. He lifted her to her feet, she could walk, not long distances, but he made her forget that. He made her feel as light as a feather, thirty years younger and more beautiful than she’d ever been. “At this moment, more than you can imagine,” he said and then they danced.

  Corinne watched Brett and Ruth from a distance, blinking back tears. The image of a strapping younger man so tenderly dancing around a room with an older woman with a smile so bright it could compete with the sun, made all the quick planning and rushing about she’d had to do in the last two weeks worth it.

  It was one of the most important events she’d ever managed to pull off. At that moment she realized she wanted to do more events like this. Find more ways to make people’s wishes come true. She’d found a new mission and focus. She was ready to take Baylor Events into a whole new direction.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Brett looked at the unfamiliar number that popped up on the screen of his cell phone as he hurried his way up the metro station escalator, already feeling the cold breath of an October breeze and smelling the scent of rain from an overnight rainfall. He’d finished a meeting with one of his division managers and was heading to his office to finalize a new property management contract. He wanted to wrap up that Friday early, so that he could be ready for his weekend with Corinne. Since they’d surprised Mrs. Hayson, Corinne had been busy restructuring her business (she’d already gotten two new clients and peppered him with questions eager for his input) and he thought she deserved a break.

  He also knew it was the first weekend he’d have alone with her since Jason had started living with her again full-time in September. He was scheduled to see his father this weekend. For weeks Corinne had been excited and nervous about her son staying with her and Brett wanted to know how she’d adjusted to having her son living back with her again after a six month break.

  With Jason more fully in her life, Brett wouldn’t get to spend as much impromptu alone time with her as he had before, but it surprised him that he didn’t care. He liked Jason and every time they had gotten together over the past several months—they’d gone to the zoo, hiking, biking, the museum, the movies—he felt that the kid liked him too. Jason didn’t seem as angry as he’d been when Brett had first met him, although he sensed there was still times when he caught an odd expression cross the boy’s face that he couldn’t read. But Brett didn’t want to worry too much; Jason had made a big improvement.

  Brett frowned at his ringing phone and thought of ignoring the unfamiliar caller then decided against it. “Lattimore.”

  “Hello, yes,” said an uncertain female voice. “My name is Regina and I have your son with me.”

  “Sorry, you have the wrong number.” He disconnected and put the phone away. It rang again. He sighed when he saw the same number. He answered and said, “Still the wrong—”

  “He seems pretty insistent that he talk to you.” Seconds later a young boy’s voice came on the line. “Hi,
Dad. It’s me, Jason.”

  Brett stumbled when he reached the top of the escalator. Dad? Wait...what?

  “Could you come pick me up?”

  His heart went cold. Jason hadn’t called his mother or father. He’d called him. Something was very wrong. He turned to head back down the escalator, calculating how long it would take him to get to the metro station where he’d parked his car. “Give me the address. I’ll be right there.”

  Nearly an hour later Brett saw how wrong things were when he drove up to a brick house and Jason, his clothes covered in grass and mud, came rushing out the front door, carrying his backpack. Brett parked and got out of his BMW, but before he could say anything, Jason said, “Thanks, Dad,” and jumped into the backseat.

  A worried looking woman with bouncy black curls came up to Brett and said, “I was walking my dog and saw him roaming the neighborhood, I asked him if he was lost or if he went to the local school and he said no. I don’t know if he got into a fight or what. He wouldn’t say much, just wanted me to call you.”

  Brett glanced at the silver car and saw Jason with his head down. Why Jason had wanted to call him didn’t make sense. He turned back to the woman and shook her hand. “Thanks for everything,” he said then got in the driver’s seat and pulled out of the driveway. Once the car was a good distance away from the woman’s house he pulled over to the side and parked. He turned to Jason and said, “You’re supposed to be in school. What happened?”

  “I can’t go back,” Jason said near tears.

  “Why? Did someone do this to you?”

  He hung his head and the tears fell.

  “I’m not angry. I’m worried. Tell me what happened.”

  He sniffed. “You’ll laugh.”

  “I won’t laugh.”

  “I went to use the bathroom b-but I didn’t make it. I didn’t want anyone to know so I ran away.”

  “How did you get so dirty?”

  “I rolled on the ground.”

  “Why?”