I traced the tape line along the side of the box. It was soft to the touch until I reached the edges where the tape had been severed.
“Well, don’t just stand there, sweetheart, open it!” Mom exclaimed.
I looked up at Drew, tugging the corner open. “Please tell me you’re not one of those girls,” he teased.
“Nope, I’m not,” I replied, shredding the metallic wrapping paper. What I found beyond the paper astounded me. It was a turquoise box with the Tiffany & Co insignia embedded in silver.
“Andy,” I gasped.
“It’s really not much, Mickie. I was in New York last week to see my sister, and I happened to pass by the store. I saw this and thought of you.”
“This is too much,” I whispered.
My mother was almost bouncing. “Jesus, child, let us see what you got.”
Chuckling, I lifted the lid of the box only to discover what I knew was inside, another jewelry box. This casing was the same color, but in a vinyl finish. The hinges squeaked as I opened the box revealing a platinum necklace with a round diamond solitaire.
The diamond sparkled just like Drew’s eyes. I held my hand to my throat unable to hold back the tears. No one had ever given me anything like this before. Not even Nate.
“It’s beautiful,” I breathed.
I looked up to find Drew smiling ear to ear. The soft crinkles around the corners of his eyes were ever so prominent and his dimples dived deep into his cheeks. I dropped to the couch and stared at the sparkling jewel nestled in its box.
Drew sat down beside me. “Do you like it?” he asked.
“I love it,” I said, wrapping my arms tight around his neck. “Thank you.”
Drew held me close to him, rocking me in his arms. “I’m so happy to hear that.”
My dad cleared his throat. I released Drew and turned back to my parents to see my mother wiping a tear from her eye, and my father looking anywhere but at me and Drew.
Drew took the box from me and removed the necklace from its confines. “May I?” he asked, lifting the necklace.
I nodded and turned my back to him, pushing the hair that had fallen out of my bun away from my neck. Drew gently wrapped the necklace around my throat and closed the clasp. His fingers brushed over the back of my neck as he released the chain. The solitaire fell perfectly at the hollow of my throat.
I laid my hand over the diamond and smiled.
“Beautiful,” Mom murmured.
“So is the diamond,” Drew added.
For once I didn’t mind the blush that plagued me so.
“Nice place ya have here, Mick. Do we get to see the rest?” Dad asked.
Mom smacked Dad in the stomach, for having broken the spell of the moment. My father looked put out by her reaction, but shrugged it off.
“Nice gift, Drew,” he grunted.
“It’s really nothing, sir,” Drew replied, as he leaned over to pick up his hat and sunglasses. “I’ll get out of the way so you can spend time with your family.” He stood up and turned to my parents. “It’s been a pleasure meeting you both.”
Mom grabbed Drew by the arm. “Hold your horses, young man. I insist you stay and celebrate Mickie’s birthday with us,” she insisted. “Tell him, Mickie.”
“Counselor Wise, meet your match,” I joked. “No one can out argue my momma.”
Drew laughed, and patted Mom on the hand. “I dare say, I’d be a fool to try,” Drew conceded with a wink. He placed my mother’s hand in the crook of his arm. “This way, Lindsey. I think you’ll be impressed by what your daughter has done with the place. I know I am,” he bragged, walking my mother toward the bedroom.
I laughed, watching them disappear into my room. I stood up and turned to my father who was seething as the young attorney disappeared with his wife. “Daddy?” I asked, extending my hand out to him.
My dad took my hand and pulled me close to him. “Lead away, sweetheart.”
The tour was over in a matter of minutes, and we were back in my living room.
My parents sat down on the couch, nestled close together. They were always the perfect image of love to me, and I hoped one day I’d have that kind of love for myself. Drew took the red armchair cattycornered from the entertainment center. He patted the matching ottoman in front of him indicating for me to sit down. I looked over at my parents who seemed comfortable, so I took the only seat remaining.
Drew was the master at commanding a room. Never once did the conversation drop. He could talk about anything, and on many occasions had both my parents rolling in laughter. As we talked, Drew gently pulled the tie out of my hair, releasing it around my neck. Slowly his fingers caressed my long blonde tresses, relaxing me.
“So, how long are you here?” Drew asked.
The air buzzed with electricity around us, as his hands slid through my hair.
“For the week. Mickie’s on spring break this week, so everything landed just right for us,” my mother said.
“Wonderful!” Drew exclaimed. “If you don’t mind me asking, where are you planning on staying?”
“There’s a Holiday Inn just off the freeway. We’re staying there for the week,” Dad replied.
“If you’ll permit me, I have a contact at the Helmsley. It’s closer to the beach front, and I think you’d be much more comfortable staying there,” Drew suggested.
“Oh, Drew, that’s awfully kind of ya, but it’s not necessary. The Holiday Inn is just fine,” Mom said.
“Please, I insist,” he persisted.
Mom and Dad looked to me for guidance. I turned my head over my shoulder and smiled. “It’s very sweet, but you don’t need to do that, Andy.”
He tucked a lock of my hair behind my ear, and all at once the world melted away. I was lost in his eyes as they pleaded with me to accept his offer. “Please,” he whispered.
“Okay,” I conceded.
“It’s settled then. Now, what is it that the birthday girl wants to do with the rest of her day? I was going to ask you to go to the beach earlier, but…”
“Oh, the beach sounds wonderful,” Mom squealed. “Can we go back to that one you took us to the last time?”
I laughed. “Well, I think we’re going to the beach.”
Drew smiled. “What beach are you referring too, Lindsey?”
“Siesta Key,” I replied.
“Ah, yes.” Drew nodded. “That’s a beautiful beach. But have you ever taken them to Longboat Key?”
I shook my head. “Not that I recall. I usually go to Lido or Siesta Key.”
Drew eyes danced with excitement. “Then I have the perfect suggestion. What would you say to coming to my house for the day?”
My mouth hung open like those large-mouthed bass you see hanging on people’s walls. I’d never been inside Drew’s home before. Hell, I had never driven past it. All I knew was what Olivia had told me about the place. Butterflies fluttered around in my stomach at the idea of me in his home.
“Oh, Andy, we don’t want to impose on you like that. Siesta Key is just fine.”
“It’s no imposition,” he argued. He adjusted his position to look around me at my parents who sat quietly watching our interaction. I turned back around to see my father chewing his bottom lip and my mother beaming like a Christmas light.
“Bill and Lindsey, what do you think?”
“We’re fine either way,” Mom replied quickly, smacking my father on the knee.
Dad cleared his throat then coughed, having jumped at the sound of my mother’s hand smacking across his bare skin. “You say you live off the beach?” he grunted.
“Yes, sir. It’s a small place I acquired some years back. There’s this great little area for fishing.”
And that was all she wrote. My father was a goner when it came to fishing. He tried to play it cool, but he was twitching with excitement. He cleared his throat and ran his hand under his hat, readjusting it on his forehead.
“Whatever Mickie wants. It’s her birthday,” Dad sa
id.
“Mickie, come on,” Drew whined. “We’ll have a lot of fun.”
He cupped his hands together and his eyes grew ever so big. There was no way I could turn down that puppy dog face. He had me. “If you insist. I’ll need to change first.”
“Absolutely. While you get ready, I’ll call Ruby and tell her to make plans for dinner guests. We have a special someone to celebrate today.”
A thought occurred to me at the mention of dinner plans. It caused my very insides to cringe. I was hesitant to mention it, but it was only right to ask. “Should we call Liv and ask her to join us?”
Drew tapped the tip of my nose, and smiled. “She’s with Morgan for a dress fitting. Besides, this day is all about you.”
“I see,” I whispered. “Okay. Give me a second. I’ll be right back.”
Springing off the ottoman, I bounded toward my bedroom. “Hold on, Mickie. I’m coming with you,” my mother called out, following me.
My bedroom closed behind us with a thump. “Spill it, young lady,” Mom demanded.
I turned around to see my mother barring the door with her hands plastered to her hips. Her menacing scowl screamed I was in trouble.
“Spill what?” I played dumb, throwing open my dresser drawer to find a bathing suit.
“You know exactly what I’m talkin’ about. What’s going on with you and that boy out there?”
“Nothin’, Momma. I swear. He’s just a good friend.”
“That’s bullshit and you know it.”
My favorite blue bikini lay on top. I grabbed it and proceeded to my bathroom. My mother grabbed my arm, preventing me from closing her out. “Mickie, talk to me. We show up to you all out of breath,” – she tugged at the necklace dangling around my neck – “then he gives you this fancy necklace and invites your whole family to his beach house. So, again, I ask. What’s going on between you?”
I sighed and walked over to my bed, dropping down on the end. I patted the seat beside me. Mom sat down looking at me expectantly. “Honestly, I don’t know what’s going on between us. Do I feel something for him? Yeah, I do. Does he feel something for me? I don’t know, but after today, I think he does.”
“I see,” she pondered.
“But none of that matters, because he’s off limits. He’s with Liv.” I tried to sound convincing, but even to me, the words sounded hollow.
My mother wrapped her arms around my shoulders. I rested my head against her, enjoying the feel of her playing with my hair like she did when I was a child. “Can I tell you what I see, Mickie?”
I nodded.
“That young man in the other room is smitten with you. And while he may be currently in a relationship with Olivia, his heart is right here with you.”
I lifted my head and opened my mouth to speak. My mother raised a single finger to silence me. “I know it’s difficult, him being involved with your best friend and all. And I’m not sayin’ that fallin’ for Drew, as you have, is right. But I’m not sayin’ that it’s wrong either. What I am sayin’ is that sometimes a heart wants what a heart wants. And far be it for anyone in this world to deny the true matters of the heart.”
“Momma, I can’t hurt Liv, and I don’t even know for sure that Drew feels anything beyond friendship for me.”
“Take it from me, sweetheart, your daddy is on pins and needles out there, because that boy has been oglin’ and fondlin’ his little girl since we got here.”
“He hasn’t been fondlin’ me,” I gasped.
“You know what I mean. He couldn’t keep his hands off of you. He’s lucky to still have them hands. I swear, I damn near had to hold your father back a couple of times. Honestly, I’m not even sure it’s safe leavin’ Drew alone with your father right now. We might find bloodshed when we get back out there.”
My mother and I laughed. It felt good admitting to someone that I was in love with Drew. Even if what she had to say didn’t really help any, it felt nice to finally verbalize it.
“Thank you,” I whispered, kissing my mother on the cheek. “I better go change real quick.”
“We’ll be out there waiting on you,” she said, brushing my hair back from my face. “I love you, baby girl.”
“Love you too, Momma, and I’m really happy you’re here.”
Mom stood up and walked to the door. She looked back at me once more before slipping out of my room. I watched as my mother disappeared, closing my door behind her. The heaviness of her words weighed on me.
After what happened on my couch, there was no way for me to take the blame for our almost kiss. His lips were inching toward mine, not the other way around. He felt something. I knew he did. But what he felt I wasn’t sure. One thing I was sure of was the fact that Drew and I needed to have a serious chat.
Chapter Seventeen
For a full twenty minutes, my mother and I suffered through Drew and Dad talking about cars. Twenty minutes was exactly how long it took to get from my apartment to Longboat Key, and since I lost the coin toss, my parents and I were subjugated to ride with Drew.
I tried to argue the matter, even after the coin toss. It seemed ridiculous for him to drive us to his house and then back to mine, but he was determined in taking us.
Just like in my apartment, Drew maintained a constant dialogue; especially with my dad. I got the notion he wanted to impress my father, but Dad seemed hesitant to warm up to him.
By the time we turned down Gulf of Mexico Drive, I had tuned the men out and got lost in the beauty of the foamy waves creeping up the shoreline. The clear blue water beckoned me; even though I knew it was still too cool to swim.
Conversation ceased when Drew turned in front of a large iron gate. He twisted his body slightly, digging his hand deep into his pants pocket where he withdrew his cell phone. He dialed a number, and the gate opened. Surrounded by trees, a shell-colored mansion appeared in the distance.
The path leading to the house sparkled in the afternoon sunlight. It was straight and narrow, made of beautiful marble paving stones and encompassed by lush greenery. The closer we got, the more I had to crane my neck to see the vast structure unfolding in front of me.
The house spanned as far as the eye could see, surrounded by billowing trees. Painted to resemble the sand, it sparkled majestically in the sunlight. Elaborately designed pillars stood proudly, guarding the front door. Rows upon rows of windows climbed the shell colored house, like ivy reaching toward the Heavens.
My eyes bobbed up and down counting the rows.
There was a forth story had a single window that accented the top of the house. It was larger than the rest and had no covering on it. Sunlight gleamed over it, making it shine like the diamond in my necklace.
“This is it,” Drew pointed out, as he curved around the driveway, parking the Range Rover in front of the house.
“You call this small?” Dad gasped.
“In comparison to my brother’s house, just up the street, this is tiny,” Drew chuckled.
He cut the engine and hopped out of the car. Having grown accustomed to his chivalrous nature, I didn’t budge until he opened my car door.
“Welcome to my home,” he said, his wide smile gleamed with pride.
“It’s beautiful, Andy,” I stated in amazement. “I’ve never seen anything like it before.”
“Just wait until you see the inside,” he noted, taking my hand in his, heading toward the door.
The front door was twice the size of any normal man, both in height and width. Its light colored wood blended beautifully with the sandy color of the home’s exterior. A blue stained-glass window arched over the top of the door and down the sides, appearing like a wave of water was about to crash down upon anyone who might dare to enter.
Drew looked over his shoulder, to my parents, who were following us. “The garage is just around the back.”
“You mean there’s enough room on this property for a garage?” Dad asked in amazement.
“Yes, sir. As well as a caban
a house and swimming pool that leads out to the beach.”
“This is spectacular, Drew,” Mom cooed.
“I’m pleased you like it, Lindsey,” Drew said.
The door magically opened for us. A tall, older gentleman, with white hair slicked back against his head, held the door ajar with a surprised look on his gauntly face. Dressed in a pair of overalls, grease smudged the side of his oversized nose. Drew patted the old man on the arm. “The Phantom giving you hell again, Wyatt?”
“Not at all, sir. It’s that plastic toy that you and Mr. Gavin think is so funny. I can never get the oil changed in that tiny contraption.”
Drew laughed, giving the old man a tight squeeze on the shoulder. “I told you not to worry about it. I’ll take it to the dealership and have them do it.”
Wyatt stepped back, holding the door open for us. Drew led me into the house. I was blown away by the beauty of his home. The foyer was painted dark red. A huge crystal chandelier dangled from the white elevated ceiling. Just beyond the foyer was a winding staircase with an iron railing that matched the iron gates at the front of the property. It veered off into sections at the top, leading to each of the four floors of the house.
“Wyatt, I’d like to introduce you to some special guests. This is McKenzie, Bill, and Lindsey Evans.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you all,” Wyatt’s shaky voice greeted us.
“This is Wyatt Greenwood. He’s my mechanic.” Drew’s voice lowered as he added, “And chauffer when necessary.”
“You said you were having trouble changing the oil in something?” Dad asked.
“Yes, sir. Mr. Wise has a Scion iQ, and for the life of me, I can’t get the oil changed in it.”
Dad’s eyes cut to Drew. “You own a Smart Car, yet you drive that gas guzzler outside?”
“Let’s just say, I lost a bet to my brother and it landed me that thing,” Drew laughed.
“Wyatt, I think I might be able to help you with your problem,” Dad offered.
“Thank you kindly, sir, but you’re here as guests. I’d hate to impose.”
“It’s no imposition. I happened to know a thing or two about Smart Cars,” Dad protested.
The Truth in Lies (The Truth in Lies Saga) Page 20