Anger suffused my chest. “And what do you care?”
His dark eyes looked pained. “I love you, Denise.”
His words sent a tremor through my heart, but in the back of my mind, I kept reminding myself that our reunion had been unplanned. Redford could have looked me up when he lived in Albany and hadn’t. Wasn’t that proof enough that his interest in me was fleeting and based on proximity…on sex?
“Don’t say that,” I said, shaking my head. “I don’t want to hear it.”
“I know you don’t,” he said, his voice low. “I heard what you told Kenzie yesterday morning. That Sunday night was just a fling, that it always had been just sex between the two of us.”
I inhaled a sharp breath, but didn’t deny what I’d said.
“Maybe it was only sex to you,” he said. “But I’m not going to leave without telling you that Sunday night meant something to me.”
I panicked and looked away. He was doing it again—mistaking sex for love. And I was dangerously close to falling for it again. “Sunday night…shouldn’t have happened, Redford.”
His jaw hardened. “Just like our marriage shouldn’t have happened?”
My pulse clicked higher and I looked at him. “That’s right.”
“Well, maybe we should just call an attorney and draw up papers to have our night of great sex annulled!”
My heart shivered. Our relationship always came back to sex. I started gathering up my things. “I have to be somewhere. Goodbye, Redford.”
He was silent, then after several long seconds, he said, “Goodbye, Denise.”
I didn’t look up as he left the room, not until after the door closed. My throat and chest strained to hold back the river of tears. It was for the best, I kept telling myself.
I love you, Denise.
And how long would that have lasted? Another six weeks, until we realized that we were too different to make a life together? I needed more than a few impulsive words to hang the rest of my life on.
I moved my papers haphazardly back to the box, barely able to focus through my tears. I blinked rapidly to diminish the moisture and my gaze landed on the open file at the end of the table. The top of the colored sheet of paper read, Reason for audit: Anonymous informant alleged improprieties.
I frowned. Informant? Someone had accused us of cheating on our taxes? Growing more indignant by the minute, my mind sorted through the possibilities. A disgruntled client of mine? A competitor? A vindictive girlfriend of Redford’s?
I scoured the paper and next to the word “informant” was a phone number, an area code that I didn’t recognize, but that wasn’t saying much. Overcome with curiosity, I wrote down the number, then shoved it in my wallet and left the building. I forced my mind to think about my appointment with Ellen Brant. There would be plenty of time this evening to cry over Redford DeMoss.
And tomorrow.
And the next day.
My nerves were still clacking as I climbed on a bus to take me back into the city. Thoroughly miserable, I dropped into a seat, pulled out my cell phone and called Ellen’s number. If she were going to cancel our appointment because of my split with Barry, I wanted to know before I made the trip to her office.
“Ellen Brant.”
“Ellen, this is Denise DeMoss.”
“Pardon me?”
Appalled, I realized my gaffe. “I mean, this is Denise Cooke.” Where was my head? “I just wanted to make sure we were still on for this afternoon.”
“I spoke with Barry this morning, Denise. He says the two of you aren’t seeing each other anymore.”
“That’s right,” I said, swallowing hard. “I broke off our engagement. And I understand if that makes you uneasy to have me handling your investments.”
“No, dear. Barry is a wonderfully talented man who will go far, but I have to admit I didn’t detect any chemistry between the two of you.”
I blinked. “Oh?”
“I rather thought the two of you reminded me of brother and sister.”
I winced. “You did?”
She gave a little laugh. “To be honest, there was more chemistry between you and that yummy gay friend of yours.”
I closed my eyes, but forced a laugh from my throat. “So I’ll see you this afternoon?”
“Absolutely. And don’t worry, Denise. You’ll find love again. I intend to.”
She hung up and I stared at my phone, astonished. Then, clicking with curiosity—and anger—I pulled out the piece of paper on which I’d written the number for the “informant” and dialed.
After four rings, I was ready to hang up, but then a voice sounded on the other end.
“Hello?”
I squinted, certain my ears were playing tricks on me. “Redford?”
20
“DENISE.” REDFORD SIGHED. “I’m busted, aren’t I?”
My mouth worked up and down. “Redford, what is going on? Are you on a cell phone?”
“Yep.”
“I thought you said you didn’t have one.”
“I was afraid you’d somehow get this number from the IRS. You did, didn’t you?”
“I saw the number on our file before I left,” I said, my mind whirling. “What’s this all about? You called and reported us for cheating on our taxes?”
“Yes, I did.”
I touched my temple, incredulous. “Why?”
“Because I wanted to see you again. I know it was a dumb long shot, but I had to try.”
I gasped. “You were in Albany for over a year and you didn’t call, but you do this?”
“I can’t explain it,” he said. “I wanted to call you a hundred times—you were so close I could feel you. But I was afraid…ashamed. I felt terrible about what I’d put you through three years ago. I wasn’t about to call you before my time in the service was up, before I could offer you some semblance of a normal life.”
I slumped back in my seat, limp with shock.
“Denise, I thought this audit would be a chance to see how you were doing, and if there was a chance that you still cared about me…that you ever cared about me…with no pressure.” He cleared his throat. “Please forgive me. Good luck with your wedding. I hope you’re happy with your new husband.”
I started shaking…just my hands at first, then my leg started jumping, then my entire body was vibrating with revelation. Redford loved me. Had planned this entire thing to give us a second chance, with no pressure on me. Just another happenstance meeting, like before, to see if the magic was still there.
And it had been. My heart vaulted in my chest. I suddenly understood why Kenzie had been happy to change her life, why Sam had been happy to change his. Because anywhere together was better than anywhere apart. I would follow this man to Kentucky or Timbuktu. We’d already wasted three years.
“Redford, you made a big mistake.”
“I know.”
“You see, I’m not engaged anymore.”
After a few seconds of silence, he said, “You’re not?”
“No. I broke off the engagement last night.”
“But you were still wearing your ring today.”
“I didn’t want you to know what I had done, to know that I’d done it because…I love you. I love you, Redford. I’ve never gotten over you, never stopped hoping you would…come for me.”
“Let me make sure I got this straight,” he said, his voice thick. “You no longer have a fiancé?”
“No,” I said, my heart leaping with joy. “But I still have the wedding band you gave me, a great dress and two tickets to Vegas.”
Then I had that bottomless feeling that I’d been too bold, too presumptuous.
“I’m turning around,” he said, his voice breaking.
My eyes welled with tears and I smiled into the phone. “How are we going to make this work?”
“How do you feel about Albany?”
“Albany?”
“I’ve been asked by the government to consult part-time at the Ma
rine base.”
“But what about your family business?”
“My father will be disappointed, but it’s more important that I be close to you.” He laughed. “Besides, I’d still have time to look after a couple of horses of my own…if that would be okay with you.”
I blinked tears down my cheeks. “Albany sounds…close. And good.”
“We’ll make it work, Denise. I promise you, after finding you again, I’m never going to let you go.”
I was crying for real now. And I never cried…ever. “I’ll be waiting at my apartment. Drive safely.”
“I love you.”
“I love you, too.” I disconnected the call, feeling light-headed. In the space of a few minutes, my life had changed. No…my life had changed three years ago when I’d first met Redford.
I had so much to do! I suddenly remembered that I needed to call Ellen Brant and reschedule. I punched in her number, so excited I could barely see.
“Ellen Brant.”
“Ellen, this is Denise Cooke again. I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to reschedule our appointment this afternoon.”
“Oh? Is everything okay?”
“More than okay,” I said. “I’m going to Vegas to get married.”
“I thought you and Barry broke up.”
“We did. I’m marrying the man I was with Saturday night.”
She made a little noise in her throat. “Denise, I know you’re on the rebound, but don’t you think you’re making a big mistake?”
“Maybe,” I said happily. “And it won’t be my first…but it will be my favorite.”
Epilogue
LIFE DOESN’T always turn out the way you think it’s going to, but it somehow always turns out the way it’s supposed to. Redford and I flew to Vegas, (I am now a member of the mile-high club…er, twice) and were joined by my parents who, after the initial shock wore off, were very happy for me. Since Redford was making an honest woman out of me, my parents seemed willing to forget about the entire “making out in public” scene and welcomed him as my husband-to-be. In fact, he and my dad actually hit it off. (Who knew my dad had worked at a horse racetrack when he was young?)
Redford’s parents flew out from Kentucky and brought his dress uniform and his grandmother’s diamond ring, which was flawed (and perfect). The DeMosses were delightful people who jelled with my parents amazingly well and immediately treated me like part of the family.
Cindy canceled her date with Jim from her Positive Thinking class in order to be my maid of honor—is that a friend, or what? But imagine our surprise when Redford’s buddy Jim, who flew out to be his best man, turned out to be Cindy’s Jim! They are a darling couple, I have to admit. And judging from the way Jim looks at Cindy when she enters a room, I’d say that wedding bells are in the cards.
And my wedding…ah, my second wedding was everything I dreamed it would be because I was marrying my first husband! We went back to the Taking Care of Business wedding chapel—it just seemed right—but were married inside this time. I was dazzling in my bargain gown, and Redford was gorgeous in his dress blues. When I looked down the aisle, and saw his face shining with love and desire for me, my heart was so full I thought it might burst. When we slid our wedding bands on each other’s fingers, they were the perfect symbols of our love coming full circle.
Isn’t life grand? Even the bloopers, the blunders and the slipups. Because if you never make a mistake, it means you’re not living life to its fullest.
My mother once said that a wise person learns from their mistakes. I agree…but that includes knowing which mistakes are worth repeating.
Stephanie Bond
Introducing three exciting titles from New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Bond! Do you believe women choose their shoes like they pick their men? If so, it’s time for some quality over quantity! Jump into the introductory short story The Truth About Shoes and Men to meet Jacki, Kenzie and Denise, and find the footwear that’s right for you…and possibly your solemate! In Cover Me, Kenzie Mansfield is a city girl who works for a magazine has a one-night stand on her 31st birthday. Then she discovers Sam Long is the small-town hero chosen to grace her next issue! Which means she’s heading off to Nowheresville, U.S.A. to man-sit the hunky veterinarian…all while keeping him at a professional distance. Her career—and her heart—depend on it! Denise Cooke married Redford DeMoss three years ago in a Vegas chapel after one too many Long Island Iced Teas. It was easy to fall for the hunky U.S. Marine…and the wedding night was spectacular! But a quick annulment followed when Redford went back on duty and Denise went back to her life in New York City. But she’s about to see him again. But it’s not as if Redford plans to take her back to bed. Besides Denise would never make the same mistake twice…would she? Find out in My Favorite Mistake.
ISBN-13: 9781460377776
ENTICE ME BOX SET
Copyright © 2014 by Harlequin Books S.A.
The publisher acknowledges the copyright holders of the individual works as follows:
THE TRUTH ABOUT SHOES AND MEN
Copyright © 2014 by Harlequin Books S.A.
COVER ME
Copyright © 2004 by Stephanie Bond Hauck
MY FAVORITE MISTAKE
Copyright © 2005 by Stephanie Bond Hauck
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