Dazzling

by Elizabeth Hayley

“What’s wrong?” Siobhan asked, obviously sensing his disappointment.

  Derick shrugged. “Nothing’s wrong really. I just like being with you, and you’re always doing all these odd jobs. It cuts into our time together.”

  Siobhan slowed down a little and looked over at him. “I like spending time with you, too, but it’s work. I don’t have much of a choice.”

  On some level Derick understood that. People worked. But there was no reason Siobhan had to do so many little jobs that probably paid next to nothing instead of spending time with him. She was sacrificing her life for work. And that was something Derick really didn’t like, especially if he could help.

  He’d watched his mother work for years to support him and his older brother. And since she’d passed away before Derick had made his money, he’d never gotten the chance to give her the life she’d always tried so hard to give to him. He didn’t want to watch someone else he cared about do the same thing. “You always have a choice. Tell the kid you aren’t tutoring anymore.”

  Derick heard how casual his statement sounded, and Siobhan’s expression, combined with the fact that she’d stopped abruptly, told him she’d picked up on his tone, too. And she didn’t look happy.

  “And what do I tell my landlord? That I was spending time with Derick Miller so he’ll just have to excuse the late rent?”

  “How much will you be short?”

  She narrowed her eyes at him. “What?”

  “If you skip tutoring? How much would you need?”

  She shook her head slowly, and her jaw tensed. “Don’t even say what I think—”

  “It can’t be much if a few sessions would’ve covered it.” He could tell that comment only irritated her, so he tried to correct it. “I wasn’t going to pay the whole thing, just whatever—”

  “I don’t need your money.” Siobhan looked him up and down. But this time her eyes didn’t hold admiration as they had when he’d taken off his shirt a few blocks back. This time they held disgust. “And I definitely don’t need this.” Then she started walking again.

  “I know you don’t need my money. I just—”

  “You just what, Derick? Wanted to make me feel inadequate? Make me feel like I’m incapable of taking care of myself? Congratulations. Mission accomplished.”

  Derick sped up to catch her. He felt horrible. “No. I wasn’t trying to do either of those things. I wanted to make your life easier. That’s all. So you don’t have to work as hard.”

  She stopped again, and turned to face him. This time her disgust had morphed into anger. “And what makes you think that I don’t want to work hard?”

  Derick was silent.

  “I know this isn’t true in your world, but in mine, hard work is the only way you’ll ever make anything of yourself. So maybe I don’t want it to be easy. Have you ever thought of that?” She reached over and grabbed the leashes he’d been holding. “And for the record, you’re not making this”—she gestured between them with her free hand—“You’re not making this easy, either.”

  Then she walked away. And this time Derick knew better than to chase after her.

  Chapter 12

  Siobhan finished counting out her tips for the night and put the money into her purse. Not bad for a Sunday night. She closed the oversized bag, headed over to the bar to say good-bye to the girls, and then made her way toward the exit. She hadn’t told them about her fight with Derick. She didn’t think she needed to. He hadn’t been in the bar since their fight a few days ago, and she hadn’t been in the most jovial of moods.

  Derick had left two messages asking her to call him. She thought that she would’ve calmed down by now—enough to call him back at least—but her anger had only grown. How dare he offer to give her money as if she wasn’t capable of earning it on her own? The gesture had been insulting.

  Siobhan slid off her heels and slipped on a pair of flip flops, tossing the uncomfortable footwear into her bag before pulling open the heavy glass door to the street. She took a deep breath, inhaling the thick muggy air as she let the door close softly behind her.

  She’d just adjusted her bag on her shoulder when she heard him speak from behind her.

  “You haven’t returned any of my calls. Can I talk to you for a minute?”

  Siobhan let out an annoyed huff, but she didn’t respond.

  “I want you to try to hear what I have to say. Please.”

  She turned to face him, which caused his masculine features to soften.

  Derick sighed. “I shouldn’t have offered to pay some of your rent. I know you work hard. And there’s a lot of pride in that. It wasn’t my intention to take that away from you.”

  “Well that’s good because my pride isn’t something you have the power to take.”

  Derick rubbed a hand across his forehead and dropped his gaze to the sidewalk before bringing it back up to meet hers. He looked contrite. “I have a lot of money.”

  Siobhan rolled her eyes.

  “And it wasn’t really hard to come by. At least not through what I’d consider hard work. I put in a lot of hours when the app was just getting started, but we made most of the money when we sold the company. And that part was easy.” He shrugged. “I just got lucky. The right idea at the right time sold to the right company for the right amount of money.”

  Her eyes narrowed at him. “How perfect for you.”

  “I didn’t mean it like that.” Derick’s posture deflated slightly. “Even though I still work consulting with app developers, I can make my own hours. And since it’s something I like doing, it doesn’t feel like work. That’s why it didn’t seem like a big deal to offer you some money so I could see you more and so you could cut back.”

  “But it is a big deal. I didn’t earn that money. You did,” she said, her voice somehow calm, though she felt anything but. “It doesn’t matter how you got it. It’s still yours.”

  “You’re right. It is mine. So I should be able to do whatever I want with it. Siobhan, I’m not sure you know this, in fact I’m sure you don’t, but with everything all totaled I’m worth over a billion dollars.” He said it with such conviction, like it should comfort her somehow. “What would I do with all of that? I know my money makes you uncomfortable, and to be honest, it makes me a little uncomfortable, too. That’s why I downplayed how much I had at dinner. I didn’t want it to come between us.”

  “Well, you didn’t do a very good job of that.”

  She turned and took a few steps to leave, but Derick caught her arm. “Siobhan, I have more money than I know what to do with and an equal amount of time on my hands. And it’s time I want to spend with you. Just let me help.”

  She felt her body go rigid, her arm tense in his hand. She jerked it free and turned around to look him in the eyes. “Yeah, well I don’t need your help. And more than that, I don’t want it.”

  As she walked away from him for the second time in less than a week, she suppressed the urge to take one final look at the man she likely would never see again.

  Chapter 13

  Taking a deep breath of the thick summer air, Derick leaned against the stucco exterior of the Brooklyn apartment building. Finally, after a half hour or so, someone opened the main door, allowing Derick to enter behind them.

  He ascended the two flights of stairs to Siobhan’s apartment and knocked confidently, though he didn’t feel it. He knew she didn’t want to see him, and he didn’t know exactly what he was going to say. That is, if she even let him speak.

  His mind ran through the list of possibilities. Maybe she’d curse him out. Maybe she’d shut the door on him. Maybe she’d see him through the peephole and pretend she wasn’t home. Even though the music he could hear coming from inside told him differently. Or maybe…

  Holy shit. Derick felt his jaw lower at the sight of her.

  Maybe she’d open the door looking hot as hell in a pale-green paint-splattered tank top, her hair pulled up into the same messy hairstyle she’d worn in the park that d
ay.

  She eyed Derick warily and blew a stray strand of hair away from her face. “You don’t quit, do you?” Her tone sounded annoyed, but her body language didn’t match it. Siobhan grabbed a remote from a nearby table and lowered the music, which he now recognized as Adele. Siobhan raised a curious eyebrow at him. Her long legs seemed to extend even farther in her cutoff jean shorts as she leaned against the doorframe.

  Derick was suddenly reminded that he should be speaking. “I was an asshole,” he blurted out. “I understand if you don’t want to see me. Though I hope you still do. But even if you don’t, I still think you deserve a proper apology.” God, he sounded like a moron. “No excuses.”

  Derick wished Siobhan would let him help her. It would make things easier for both of them. But even though he didn’t fully agree with her choice, he was willing to concede that one point if it meant she might give him another shot.

  Siobhan tilted her head to the side and rested it against the faded beige molding. “I’m listening.”

  Her voice seemed to have softened a bit, and Derick was thankful. He drew in a breath and thought about what to say. “I’m sorry for offering to give you money. And I’m sorry for not listening to you. As you’ve probably noticed, I can be a little clueless sometimes. But my intention was only to help, never to hurt. I’d never want to do that. I was a jerk, and I’m hoping you can forgive me.” He’d been watching for a sign that she’d accepted his apology—a glimmer in her eye, a small lift on the corner of her lips. So far she hadn’t given him one. But she was letting him talk. That was something. “I have a proposition for you,” he continued.

  Siobhan toyed with the paintbrush she’d been holding. “A proposition?” And then he saw it—the amused narrowing of her eyes. She was giving him an opening.

  Derick slid his hands into his pockets, feeling a little more at ease now. “Yeah. I thought we could start over from the beginning. You know, since I’m an idiot who screwed up a perfectly good thing.”

  He thought he recognized the beginning of a smile on Siobhan’s lips. “And why would I want to start over with an idiot?”

  Derick shrugged, the corner of his own lips lifting slightly, too. “Because I’m handsome?” he answered, repeating the words he said when he’d asked her to lunch the first time.

  Her soft laugh told him she remembered. “So we’re going to start over?” she asked. “Just like that?”

  “Mm-hmm.” He said it as if it were simple. He hoped it would be.

  Her eyes narrowed again. She looked like she was trying to figure him out. She released a long breath and dropped her arms so they hung by her sides. “I think we need to clear up a few things first.”

  Derick tried to resist the urge to fidget.

  “Despite the world’s apparent fascination with Julia Roberts, I’m not looking for a Richard Gere to ride in on his limo, climb my balcony, and rescue me from my life. I’m my own savior, Derick. I want a partner. Not a sugar daddy. Can you handle that?”

  Derick didn’t hesitate. He’d promise her anything. “Yes.”

  She scrutinized him for a moment. “Okay,” she finally said, her posture opening as she extended a hand to him. “I’m Siobhan.”

  Derick gave her a genuine smile of relief. “Siobhan. That’s a beautiful name,” he said. “I’m Derick.”

  They held hands for a moment, as if the physical contact conducted whatever seemed to pass between them as they stared into each other’s eyes. Eventually Siobhan let go and gestured into her apartment. “You want to come in, Derick?”

  He wanted to say yes, but he knew he shouldn’t. He’d made it this far and didn’t want to fuck things up again. “You know, it’s not really a good idea to invite strangers into your apartment.”

  Siobhan bit her bottom lip. “You’re probably right.”

  “Besides,” Derick added. “You look like you’re working.” He pointed past her to the canvas. “So I should probably let you get back to it.”

  She nodded. “I appreciate that.”

  “But give me a call when you get a moment. I’d love to take you out for coffee sometime.”

  She shook her head and let out a quiet laugh. “I’m actually more of a tea girl.”

  Derick nodded. “Good to know,” he said, before turning to leave. He took a few steps before glancing back at her. She was still leaning against the doorway, giving him that sexy stare he’d missed so much. He momentarily considered accepting her invitation. But instead he said, “It was nice meeting you, Siobhan. Have a good day.”

  She smiled broadly as she tapped the handle of the paintbrush against her fingers. “You too, Derick.”

  Chapter 14

  “Wherever I want to go?” Siobhan asked as they sat in the back of the Escalade.

  Derick nodded. He’d almost planned their date, but then reconsidered. He and Siobhan had been all over the city, but he’d never actually asked her where she wanted to go.

  “You’re sure?” She dragged the syllables out, a glint of mischief in her eyes. Maybe he should’ve taken her to the Russian Tea Room after all.

  “You’re making me nervous,” he said. “Just tell me.”

  “Coney Island. I’ve heard about it a bunch of times but haven’t gotten over there yet.”

  Derick smiled. “Coney Island it is. Let’s go.”

  When they arrived, Derick helped her out of the car and into the bright sunshine. “There’s somewhere I want to show you,” he said, as they started down the boardwalk.

  He was mad at himself that he hadn’t thought of bringing her here before. He led her off the boardwalk toward their destination. Her eyes widened when they approached.

  “What is this place?”

  “The Coney Art Walls,” he explained. “The curators allow talented street artists to paint here. Awesome, right?”

  Siobhan moved closer to inspect the painting in front of them—a colorful mermaid. “Yes, they’re wonderful.”

  Derick couldn’t help but feel pleased with himself. They wandered around hand in hand, looking at the eclectic variety of art. “Are any of these like the paintings you do?” he asked.

  She hummed softly. “Some of them.”

  She didn’t seem inclined to say more, too absorbed in the work in front of her, so he let her answer suffice.

  They walked past each wall twice, and Derick had to admit, he’d never looked at paintings so thoroughly before he met Siobhan. But as Siobhan discussed the delicate line work of the Manhattan skyline, Derick could feel her passion as though she were physically transferring it to him. Her love for it was infectious and absolute.

  It had been a long time since he’d been around love like that. It made him want to bottle up the experience and keep it with him forever.

  But he’d have to settle for a different type of memento. “Come here,” he said, as he put an arm around her waist and gently pulled her toward him, keeping their backs to a black-and-white painting that showed a lonely saxophone player in the subway. Derick pulled out his phone and held it in front of them.

  “Are we taking a selfie?” Siobhan asked, and he could hear the smile in her voice.

  He pinched her side, making her laugh. “Photography’s art, too. Don’t make fun of me.”

  She laughed and wrapped her arms around him. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

  Her words made him turn his head toward her as his finger snapped the picture. He kept his eyes on her until her gaze collided with his. He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. It wasn’t a passionate kiss like many of the others they’d shared, but it was no less meaningful.

  They broke apart slowly, smiles appearing on both of their faces. “Let me see the picture,” Siobhan said with a soft voice.

  Derick brought the phone up, and they both looked down at it. Siobhan laughed again. “You’re not even looking at the camera.”

  He shrugged. “Guess I found something more worthwhile to look at.”

  Siobhan’s smile grew. “You’r
e very smooth, you know that?”

  Grabbing her hand in his, he led them toward the exit. “Yup.”

  She chuckled, and they walked back to the boardwalk, hands swinging gently between them.

  They made their way down the boards, looking in shops and watching the tourists bustle by. As they walked past a young couple and their toddler, Siobhan remarked that the stuffed monkey the little girl was holding was cute.

  Derick grinned at her as he walked toward the girl’s father. “Excuse me. Where did you win your daughter that monkey?”

  The father turned and pointed toward a water gun game that had a bunch of people milling around it.

  “Thanks,” Derick said, as he made his way toward the game, pulling Siobhan along behind him.

  “I didn’t say I wanted one,” Siobhan said, laughing behind him.

  “Well that’s too bad, because I want to win you one.” He pulled out his wallet and handed over his money before sitting down in one of the few open seats.

  Siobhan settled her hands on his shoulders and leaned down to whisper in his ear. “Go get ’em, tiger.”

  Derick realized the anxiety he was feeling over a children’s game was kind of ridiculous, but he didn’t care. If Siobhan wanted a monkey, then he’d get her one, even if he had to stay here for the next hour and play this stupid game. Though he hoped it didn’t come to that. He wasn’t sure his ego could take it.

  The buzzer sounded and the water began to squirt out of the hose. Derick aimed it carefully at the clown’s mouth and said a silent prayer to whoever was the patron saint of games.

  About thirty seconds later, the light above his clown began flashing. Before he could catch himself, Derick stood and thrust his fist into the air in victory. He looked around at his wide-eyed opponents—all of whom looked under the age of twelve—and slowly lowered his hand.

  The game operator looked equally unimpressed. “Which will it be?”

  Derick rubbed the back of his neck before pointing. “The monkey.”

  The guy handed it over, and Derick quickly presented it to Siobhan who smiled at him like he’d just solved world hunger.