by Kathy Harris
CHAPTER 2
After midnight – March 16
Move over, Sophie! You’re pushing me off the bed.”
The big, black Newfoundland raised her head, stared at Danni, and then stretched her body as far as she could, taking up even more space.
“Thanks for nothing.” Danni ruffled the fur on top of the dog’s head before grabbing the television remote from the nightstand. Danni flipped through more than a hundred channels before deciding on an old movie. She didn’t need another sleepless night thinking about Rob, and a black and white B-flick should make her drowsy.
Danni gave her pillow a solid punch, snuggled into the covers, and stared mindlessly at the television. Within minutes the feature cut to a commercial, and a tall blond built like a mannequin glided across the screen. The actress wore a slinky black dress and dangling pearl earrings. She placed her palm to her bright red lips, flung a kiss toward the camera, and then purred in a husky voice, “Make him commit.”
The video dissolved to a still of a shapely perfume bottle with a matching red lip print on the label.
“Perfect. Just what I needed.” Danni rolled over.
Apparently Sophie wasn’t happy either. The dog pulled herself to a standing position, paced to the foot of the queen-sized bed, and flopped down.
“What’s wrong, Soph? Did that remind you of someone?”
The dog sighed as if on cue, and Danni chuckled. There was something to be said for canine intelligence. And devotion.
Rob certainly didn’t qualify in the latter category. He might have made the right promises, acknowledging that they were headed toward marriage one day, but he would never discuss specifics. And while he was generous with his money, Danni rarely had his time. Or, for that matter, his full attention. Even when he was with her, he was on the phone or daydreaming about his next big business scheme.
His dedication had paid off for him. His success had allowed him to help her with the down payment for her condo; at the same time he’d purchased the unit next door for himself. Their eventual plan, he had said, would be to marry and connect the two spaces to create a large luxury apartment. The oversize space would make a good starter home when they finally decided to have a family.
But was that what she really wanted? And why was she thinking about this again? Hadn’t she made her decision last night? She didn’t want to raise children by herself. Not after watching her dad do it. Even if her dad had done a great job, it hadn’t been fair to him or to his daughters.
With Rob on the road forty weeks out of the year, if they had kids—and she wanted them—he would miss most of their lives. Her dad had been the foundation of their family. He’d had to be.
Dan Kemp had found time to eat dinner with his daughters every night, even though he sometimes worked two jobs. He had attended most of their softball games and every PTA meeting. He had taken them to church. Despite her mother’s absence, she had many fond memories of her childhood. But the pace was slower in her tiny Iowa hometown. And there were no homeless men to scare th—
Thump-thump-thump.
Sophie growled. Danni glanced at the bedside clock. Three a.m. No one with good intentions would be knocking at her door at this hour. The face of the man on the street flashed through her mind. Did he know where she lived?
The thought made her skin crawl.
Danni reached for the remote and switched off the television, and the room went black. Easing across the bed, she slid her hand into Sophie’s collar, whispering for the Newfoundland to move closer. With her other hand, she grabbed the leash she kept on the nightstand and snapped it into the brass ring of the collar.
“Come on, girl,” she whispered. “Let’s check this out.”
The dog jumped off the bed and padded silently beside Danni down the hall, through the living room, and into the small foyer. Standing on her tiptoes, Danni peered into the peephole on the front door, giving her a wide-angle view of the outer hallway.
No one.
Panic stilled momentarily.
Sophie scratched at the door jam, sniffing. Someone must have been outside a few minutes ago.
Danni rechecked the viewer. The hall was empty. Then, suddenly, a head came out of nowhere. She screamed, her breath catching in her throat. A second later, she replayed the image in her mind and realized it was Rob standing outside.
But why . . . ?
With shaking hands, she unbolted the door and threw it open. “What are you doing out here at this time of morning?”
“I couldn’t find my keys. I thought it might be better if I knocked instead of waking you with a phone call.”
Danni steadied herself against the door jam. “I looked in the viewer, and you weren’t there at first.”
A wry smile crossed Rob’s face. “I dropped my phone and bent down to pick it up. I guess you saw me when I straightened up. Sorry.”
She encircled his neck with her arms. “I’m so glad it’s you!” Then stepping back, she looked into Rob’s ice blue eyes. “But I didn’t expect you until this afternoon.”
“We made unbelievable time coming from Tulsa.” He straightened his shirt. “It’s good to be home, and you . . .” He grinned again. “You look beautiful.”
At that moment she remembered she was wearing her flannel pajamas, the ones with a pepperoni pizza design on a bright blue background. Jaycee had given them to her in jest, telling her she “ate, drank, and slept her job.”
“Right. I’m sure I look amazing.” She ran her fingers through her hair.
Rob leaned forward to kiss her on the forehead, stifling a yawn. “Do you have my spare key, babe?”
“I’ll get it for you.” She pivoted, but Sophie blocked her path. “Move, girl.”
Rob patted his chest for the dog to jump up. “How are you, Sophia?”
The dog huffed and followed Danni into the kitchen. When they returned, Rob was standing in the foyer, scrolling through his phone.
“Can you meet me for lunch today?” Danni asked.
“I’ll do my best, babe,” he said, not looking up. “I have a lot to do before we leave town tonight.”
“Tonight?” Danni slumped. “You’re in town for a day?”
He tucked the phone into his pocket and pulled her into a hug. “You know my schedule, Danielle. It’s always changing. This is a busy time for me.”
“You’re always busy . . .”
He kissed her on the forehead again. “It will get better. I promise.”
I can’t wait that long. She pulled away. “I need to get some sleep.”
Rob frowned. “I’ll see you sometime later this morning.” He took the key from her outstretched hand and left.
But it would soon be her who walked away.
At eleven o’clock that morning, Danni saw Rob walk through the front door of Amoré. Even from across the room, his good looks caught her off guard. It was no wonder she had fallen in love. She waved him toward the back of the restaurant dining room.
He sidled toward her, flashing a boyish grin, the dimples in his cheeks deepening. “Hey, babe.” He gathered her in his arms, enveloping her in the scent of soap and Paul Sebastian, her favorite combination.
Rob might have the accent of a Mississippi boy, but his blond hair, blue eyes, and muscular build were more reminiscent of a California beach bum. She imagined that lifestyle would suit him.
“You smell great.” She settled back into the booth where she’d been working, leaving room for Rob to sit beside her. Instead he chose the seat opposite her.
“You look beautiful, my dear. I don’t want to take my eyes off you.” He reached across the table to take her hand.
He not only had the physical attributes of a movie star, he had the charm, which he always applied liberally with her. She had no doubt he also used it to full advantage when it came to business. Given enough time, Rob could win over everyone he met.
Well, everyone except Jaycee.
“I’m glad you came by. Have you eaten?�
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“I had a late breakfast. But I would love an espresso.” He pulled his phone from his pocket and laid it on the table between them. “Make it a double. I need a jolt of caffeine if I’m going to stay awake in my meeting this afternoon.” He chuckled. “After all, I did get into town late last night.”
“And scared me half to death in the process.” She pivoted out of the booth and saw Jaycee heading straight for their table. Rob must have seen her too because he let out a long sigh.
“Hey, Robert. When are you going to slow down and marry this pretty lady?” Jaycee thumped her knuckles twice on the tabletop for emphasis.
Danni suppressed a smile.
The corners of Rob’s mouth twitched upwards. “The truth is I’m saving myself for you.” He winked at Danni.
“Please.” Jaycee rolled her eyes and walked away laughing.
A few minutes later, Danni returned with a steaming demitasse of espresso and set the cup in front of Rob. She retook the seat across the table. “Who are you going on the road with tonight? I thought you were supposed to be home for a while.”
His face lit up. “I just signed a new group. Their show needs a lot of work. They’ll be my priority this year.”
Danni bit her lip and then mumbled under her breath. “Of course, they will.”
“What?”
“Never mind . . .” He had no clue.
He took two gulps of his coffee and glanced around the dining room. “How’s it going for you, babe? Is the restaurant doing okay?”
“We’re doing great.” She crossed her arms and forced a smile. “I keep busy with it. I have plenty of time since my boyfriend is never in town.”
Rob downed the rest of his drink, apparently unaffected by her comment. “That’s why we were made for each other. We’re willing to make sacrifices.” He stood to go. “Can you have dinner with me tonight before I leave?”
“Yes. I was hoping we could talk.”
“Great!” He planted a kiss on her forehead. “I’ll pick you up at your place at seven thirty, sharp.”
Some romantic dinner. Danni shifted her attention from Rob to the smoldering embers in the massive stone fireplace only a few feet from their table. He had been on his phone for more than ten minutes this time. Since then, the waiter had cleared their plates, refreshed her drink, and asked about dessert.
She studied the diminishing flame. When Rob had suggested they go to Le Grande Steakhouse for a “romantic dinner,” he had been right about one thing, the setting was romantic. But no amount of candlelight, firelight, or even moonlight could chase away the shadow that had fallen over their evening. Her so-called “boyfriend” couldn’t stop doing business long enough to enjoy his meal. Or his time with her.
Some nights she would have been happy to retreat to her own mental calculations, planning menus, marketing, or brain storming the next milestone for Amoré. After all, she didn’t often have the opportunity to dine leisurely at one of her top competitor’s establishments, and a lot could be learned from such observation. But her heart wasn’t into reconnaissance tonight. What she wanted was a meaningful conversation with her dinner companion, a discussion about their future. Or the lack thereof.
She studied the dessert menu. Maybe something sweet could salvage the evening. Or at least provide her with the courage to say what she needed to say.
There were several options. In both regards.
Crème Brulee. Not sweet enough. Apple Pie à la Mode. Too mundane. The tiramisu might be good. But it couldn’t compete with Jaycee’s. Perhaps Death by Chocolate? No, too rich for a queasy stomach.
Rob lowered his phone to the dark linen tablecloth and offered an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry.” He nodded toward the menu in her hands. “Do you want dessert?”
“Bananas Foster.” She dropped the carte du jour on the table. “What was so important?”
The corners of Rob’s mouth flickered. “Like I said, it’s just busy right now, babe.” He gestured to the waiter across the room, took a sip from his water glass, and then looked back to her. “Did I tell you I’m leaving for a month this time?”
“Rob! I never see you anymore!”
The couple sitting at the next table stopped talking and glanced their way. Rob gave her a disapproving look.
Danni brushed her hands across her shoulders to rally her courage. “We need to talk . . .”
He reached across the table, closing the distance between them and tried to interrupt.
“No.” She exhaled the word more than spoke it. “Hear me out, please.”
He nodded and withdrew.
“I can’t do this anymore.” She fought back tears.
“Hey . . .” He massaged his ring finger. “I know you’re stressed with everything you have on your plate right now. We’ve both got a lot going on. But that’s a good thing, right? It’s for our future. Together.”
Anger rose in her throat, strangling the words she had to say, but she was determined to say them. She glanced toward the waning fire, gathered strength, and turned back to him.
“No!”
He winced, looked around the room, and then tried to stare her down.
“No.” She remained resolute. “I can’t . . . do this . . .” Danni let the taste of each syllable linger on her tongue. “We’re done.”
“Babe.” Rob’s expression softened, and he took her left hand in his, cradling it with his moist palm. “At least give me a chance to talk.”
She tried to pull away, but he tightened his grip.
“Listen to me for a minute.” He lowered his tone, along with his chin, as though speaking to a child. “You knew when we met that I traveled.”
He relinquished her hand, which she quickly retracted into her lap. Tears welled in her eyes.
“The truth is, I would love for us to spend more time together,” he continued. “But it’s just not possible right now. I have too much invested . . .”
Danni remained quiet during his monologue, but there was nothing he could say that would change her mind. Nothing.
After he had finished speaking, he leaned back in his chair and searched her face. Seconds ticked by before he reached into his jacket and pulled out a pale blue box. He set it in the center of the table. Two words, Tiffany & Co., were inscribed in gold on the top.
“Let’s make it official.” A smile slowly spread across his face. “Let’s get engaged.”
The lump in Danni’s throat plummeted to her stomach. This wasn’t an option she’d planned for. When she made no movement to open the box, Rob did.
“This is just a promise gift.” His hand shook uncharacteristically as he extracted a necklace from the tiny box and dangled it in front of her.
“I picked it up in Phoenix last week. I went to the store looking for an . . . an engagement . . .” His voice drifted off. “Well, let me just say this. I want the two of us to go together to pick out rings so you’ll have exactly what you want.”
What did she do now? She’d been so sure they were finished. That she was through with—
“Hey, are you going to leave a guy hanging?” Rob’s voice wavered. “Will you marry me or not?”
“I—I don’t know what to say.” She reached to touch the pendant. The exquisite five-point star was encrusted with diamonds, and every facet shimmered in the candlelight. Even its delicate chain had been accented with stones.
“I hope you like platinum.” His confidence returned.
Was she about to give in? Did he really love her?
“Even though I don’t say it often enough, you’re the star of my life, Danielle.” He turned the palm of her hand upward, dropped the necklace into it, and then closed her fingers around it. “I hope this will let you know how much I care about you. I want you to wear it all the time, to remind you of my feelings when I’m not here, can’t be here, with you.”
“Rob . . .” Tears blurred Danni’s vision, and she ignored the warning inside her head that screamed walk away!
&nbs
p; Rob leaned back in his chair. “Well, I guess you have a wedding to plan.” He raised an eyebrow in the direction of the approaching waiter. “Just don’t make me wear a penguin suit like that.”
She laughed and wiped a tear from her eye.
“May I take your dessert order, sir? Madame?”
“I’ll have coffee. What would you like, Danielle?”
A half hour later, as the waiter cleared her dessert plate and Rob prepared to pay their tab, ideas for a wedding swirled in Danni’s head. Chloe would be so excited. She couldn’t wait to call her sister and to pick out a ring and a dress—
“Babe, I need to ask you a favor.” Rob broke the spell. “I want to give you some money to take back to your place. I didn’t have a chance to go to the bank today, and it’s too much for me to keep on the road.” He nodded toward the black leather briefcase sitting in the chair between them.
“What is it?”
“It’s from Jamie Dillon’s merchandise sales. Plus, one promoter paid us in cash.”
“I don’t understand. Why didn’t you give it to your assistant Melissa at the office?”
“Because it’s a lot of money.”
She had to strain to hear him.
“It’s not that I don’t trust Melissa. I’d just feel better about you keeping it.”
“I don’t know, Rob.”
“Babe, I wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t in a bind. I need your help. Just stash it in your closet. I’ll deposit it when I return next month.”
“What if something happens? Can’t you just take it to your place?”
“No.” He drew a long breath and released it. “To be honest, I have another satchel of cash there. I would rather spread it around, if you know what I mean. The odds are better, you know, that someone wouldn’t break into both of our places.”
“Okay. As long as you understand I’m not responsible if something happens.”