by Regina Hart
* * *
Rose opened the door to find Donovan on her doorstep Saturday morning. She should have known he’d force a confrontation. Donovan Carroll hadn’t gotten as far as he had by avoiding conflict.
“I wasn’t expecting you.” Rose stepped back to let him into her house.
Her eyes skimmed hungrily over his broad shoulders, trim waist and tight glutes. Her body reacted to the memory of those muscles beneath her hands, the feel of his weight pressing against her.
“You haven’t returned my calls.” Donovan captured her gaze. “What happened?”
Rose caught his scent as she walked past him to lead him to her living room. Her pulse tripped.
“I’m sorry, Van.” She made herself face him. “I’ve decided not to go to my reunion.”
“What? Why not?” He looked as though that was the last response he’d expected.
“All along, I’ve had three choices—go alone, attend with a fake boyfriend or not to go at all.” Rose spread her arms. “I don’t want to go alone. I’ve never wanted to do that. But I’ve decided lying is too complicated.”
“But you’ve already lied.” Donovan rubbed his forehead. “You’ve told your friends about me. We had dinner with Maxine and Isiah.”
“That was unexpected.” What a tangled web I’ve woven.
“What are you going to tell them?”
Rose shrugged. “That we’ve broken up.”
A strange expression moved across Donovan’s features. It was gone in a blink. He seemed to stiffen, then relax. “Have you already paid our registration?”
“No, there isn’t a deadline for registration.” Actually, she’d paid the discounted early registration fee. The law school could consider Donovan’s registration a gift to its annual fund.
“What about your panel presentation?”
“There are other people on the panel.” Good grief, he had a lot of questions. Rose paced farther across the room.
He gave her a look of such intensity. Rose was torn between confessing everything and making love to him again. Neither response was appropriate. Instead she waited warily for his next move.
“What does that mean for us?” His voice was low and graveled.
Rose had dreaded that question even as she’d wanted to get it out of the way. She swallowed hard. “I consider that we’ve fulfilled our business agreement. The city council has responded favorably to the shelter’s statement, and I’m no longer going to my reunion.”
“Our business agreement? Is that all the past two months have been?” There was no mistaking the anger glowing in his eyes.
“That’s what we entered into, yes.”
“And what about Thursday night?” Donovan pinned her with his stare. “Was that a clause in the agreement?”
Their one night together had been magical. Donovan Carroll must be the most generous lover on the planet. She’d hold that night in her heart forever and relive it in her fantasies. She would never have a night like that one ever again. Donovan had ruined her for anyone else.
“Thursday night was wonderful. But it can’t ever happen again.”
She wasn’t looking for another heartache. A man who could make a woman feel like that—how long could Rose possibly hope to keep him satisfied?
* * *
Rose was ripping out his heart with every syllable that dropped from her luscious lips. Donovan set his jaw and masked his pain with a defiant note. “Why can’t we have another night like that one?”
Her eyes widened. She gazed around her stark living room as though searching for an answer. “As wonderful as that night was, I’m not looking for perpetual hookups.”
Did she think that’s what he was? “What are you looking for?”
Rose spread her arms. “I’m looking for stability, permanence.”
“And you don’t think I can give you that?” His eyes narrowed as he searched her features.
“A man who makes love like that cannot possibly be monogamous.”
Donovan gaped at her. Is she kidding me? “Are you critiquing my technique?”
“No, of course not. I’m just saying that you’re very sexual, which isn’t a bad thing. But I’m not.”
Donovan stilled. “There were two people in that bed, Rose. Two very satisfied, very sweaty, very tired people.”
Rose planted her hands on her hips and glared at him. “I’m not saying that I regret making love with you. I wanted that night just as much as you did.”
“You just don’t ever want to be sexually satisfied again. Is that it?” Donovan returned her glare.
“You’re ridiculous.” Rose threw up her hands and stomped to the other end of the room.
Donovan watched her. Her navy shorts showed off her long runner’s legs. Her gray tank top had touches of pink in its pattern. She was adding more color to her outfits. The memory of her lingerie—two scraps of hot-pink cloth—sent the blood rushing to his crotch. What was she wearing today?
Donovan turned and paced to the opposite side of the room. Several deep breaths helped ease his discomfort. He turned, but she still had her back to him. “What’s really going on, Rose? Just give me the truth. I want to know.”
“The agreement is over.”
“Screw the agreement. What about us?”
The pause was long and uncomfortable before she spoke. “There is no ‘us,’ Van. We’re too different.”
Donovan stiffened. Those words were painfully similar to claims he’d heard before, most recently from Whitley Maxwell after he’d told her that he and his father had been homeless. Was that the real reason Rose had decided to end all contact with him? She’d told him his past didn’t matter to her. Had she lied? Or had someone convinced her that his past should matter?
“I see.” Donovan braced his hands on his hips as his body accepted this emotional punch. “I thought you were different, but apparently, I was wrong.”
Rose spun to face him. She started to speak, but then seemed to reconsider her words. “I’m sorry, Van. But we might as well end things now before we go any further.”
Donovan nodded. “You’re right. We should break things off now. I wish you every happiness, Rose.”
“You as well, Van.”
Donovan marched to her door and let himself out of her house. Happiness had never seemed more elusive. He was three-for-three in the romance department. Every woman with whom he thought he could spend forever had left him once they’d learned about his past. But Rose’s rejection hurt the worst. He’d imagined unlimited possibilities with her. With her, he felt he could accomplish anything. Now he wondered what kind of future he could have on his own.
* * *
“Donovan and I broke up.” Rose made the announcement during her monthly dinner with her former classmates. This would be their last get-together before the reunion, which was only three weeks away.
A chorus of concern circled the booth.
“You two broke up?” Claudia’s lips parted in surprise. “When?”
“Last week.” Rose kept her responses as close to the truth as possible. Tomorrow would be one week since Donovan had walked out of her house.
“You guys weren’t together that long.” Tasha arched an eyebrow. “Why’d you break up?”
“Work.” She’d anticipated this question. “We both have demanding careers. We weren’t able to spend much time together.” Hopefully, the story would sound as plausible to her friends as it seemed to her.
“Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that.” Maxine shook her head in disappointment. “Isiah and I really liked him.”
Me, too. “We’re still going to be friends.” If only that were true.
“Wait a minute.” Tasha lowered her glass of iced tea. “Max, you met him? When?”
Maxi
ne shrugged. “Isiah and I ran into Rose and Van at The Cheese Quartet a couple of weeks ago.”
“And you didn’t tell us?” Tasha’s eyes were wide with shock.
Maxine chuckled as she lowered her glass of ice water. “It wasn’t like a state supreme court decision or something that would impact our lives or careers. We just had dinner at a pizzeria.”
Tasha waved a hand. “Max, you and I need to have a conversation about expectations.”
Maxine shared a laughing look with Rose. Tasha’s obsession with gossip was well-known. She’d been the same way in law school. It didn’t appear that she would ever change.
“Isiah’s going to be disappointed that he’s not going to know another man at the reunion who he can hang out with while we’re busy with reunion activities.” Maxine folded her arms on the table.
Their server already had taken away their empty dinner settings. The friends were waiting for their separate bills. But they weren’t in a rush. Tonight, the Ethiopian restaurant was especially crowded. Other diners’ conversations seemed louder and the scents of exotic spices and well-seasoned meats seemed stronger.
“Your fiancé can spend time with my husband.” Tasha tossed the invitation impatiently. “So what are you going to do about the reunion, Rose? Are you still going?”
“Yes, I am.” Strangely, she wasn’t as bothered by the idea anymore.
Tasha’s eyebrows stretched higher. “Alone?”
“It appears so.” Rose shrugged.
Tasha looked around the table as though seeking confirmation of what she’d heard. She turned back to Rose. “But what about Ben?”
“What about him?” Rose forced a smile, hoping to soften the challenge in her tone. She didn’t need Tasha to remind her that the problem of Benjamin still existed. However, now, Benjamin and his pregnant wife didn’t feel like a problem. When had that change occurred and what had caused it?
A lightbulb came on in her brain. Not what had caused it; who—Donovan. He’d made her feel important and desirable after Benjamin’s treatment had made her feel less than.
“Rose isn’t the only one who’s going to the reunion alone.” Claudia interrupted the exchange.
Tasha turned to Claudia. “Claud, I realize there’s going to be other single alumni there.”
“Including me.” Claudia took a drink of her iced tea. “I signed the divorce papers last week. Rose and I will both be flying solo.”
“Oh, Claudia, I’m so sorry.” Rose’s heart went out to the other woman.
“Me, too.” Maxine reached across the table and squeezed Claudia’s hand.
“Thank you.” Claudia inclined her head.
“Hold on, Claud.” Tasha raised her right hand, palm out. “You signed the papers last week? When did you file the papers?”
“Earlier in the summer.” Claudia shifted on her seat.
“And you’re only now telling us?” Tasha swept a hand to include Maxine and Rose.
Claudia met Tasha’s gaze. “Sometimes, I don’t want to gossip about my life. There are things that happen to me that I want to process on my own without other people giving me their opinions. Sometimes people give things more importance than is necessary.”
Rose blinked. “That’s what happened to me. I was so concerned about what other people would think about Ben and me seeing each other again at the reunion that I almost decided against going.”
“What changed your mind?” Maxine asked.
“Van did, of course.” Tasha snorted. “He’s fine. He makes Ben look like yesterday’s news.”
“That’s how I felt at first.” Rose remembered Lily’s words. “But then I realized that my reaction was giving Ben and other people too much power. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. I don’t need a man to validate me.”
Why hadn’t I recognized sooner the truth in what Lily had said?
“Well, that’s convenient, especially since now you are going to the reunion alone.” Tasha studied her black polished nails.
Claudia gave Rose a searching look. “You’re sure you and Van have broken up? There’s no chance of your getting back together with him?”
“I’m sure.” It hurt to say the words. Adjusting to life without Donovan was a million times more painful than getting over Benjamin, even though she’d been with her ex-fiancé much longer.
Claudia leaned into the table. “Would you have a problem with my giving Donovan a call once my divorce is final?”
Rose blinked at Claudia. “Yes, I would.” Had the other woman lost her mind?
“Well, then why are you letting him go?” Claudia’s shrug was philosophical. “If you want him, hold on to him.”
Holding on to him wasn’t a healthy idea. Rose wanted Donovan, but she couldn’t see the charming player as her happily-ever-after.
* * *
Donovan looked up at the knock on his office door on Monday afternoon, the last day of August. He stood when he recognized Iris in the threshold. She was a vision in her gold dress. “You look like a bright summer day.”
“And you look like you need some cheering up.” Iris paused on the other side of his guest chairs. “What’s wrong?”
Donovan liked Iris a lot, but today it was hard to look at her. The resemblance between her and Rose was so strong. There were subtle differences in the sisters’ appearances—Rose’s features were more elegant while Iris was more exotic. But both women were tall and slender with shoulder-length dark brown hair. Iris’s hair was wavy while Rose’s style was bone straight. It would probably be a very long time before Donovan could look at Iris without thinking about Rose.
“Nothing’s wrong.” Donovan motioned toward his computer monitor. “I’m just trying to work out some sales proposals.”
Iris followed his gesture. “You don’t usually look depressed over your sales proposals.”
“It’s a particularly challenging one.” Donovan smiled reluctantly at Iris’s persistence. Despite her nod of understanding, he had the sense she wasn’t buying his cover story.
“I’m on my way to meet Ty for lunch, but I wanted to drop off the proposal for the sales campaign and rollout schedule.” She passed him the manila folder she’d carried into his office. “Let me know what adjustments you want me to make or if you need clarification on anything.”
Donovan took the folder from her. “I’m sure it’s perfect, like your other proposals.”
“Thank you, Van. I hope it is.” Iris hesitated. “It seems that Xavier’s gotten over his breakup with his girlfriend. I asked Ty whether that was true. But I thought I’d ask you as well since you’re usually more observant.”
“Ty’s better at noticing the world around him now, thanks to you. He actually steps away from his desk and talks to people face-to-face occasionally.”
“It’s nice to hear that I’ve had a positive impact on him.” Iris’s cheeks grew pink. “Ty thinks Xavier has recovered. What do you think?”
“Are you concerned because of Xavier’s obvious interest in Lily?”
“You’ve noticed that, as well?” Iris sat on one of the guest chairs in front of Donovan’s desk.
“I don’t think Xavier’s trying to be subtle.” Donovan dropped onto his executive seat.
“Let’s hope not because, if he is, he’s failing miserably.” Iris chuckled. “In fact, I think the only person who hasn’t noticed is Lily.”
Donovan grinned. “Are you going to tell her?”
“Rose doesn’t think we should. I think she wants to be there when Lily finally realizes it on her own.”
At the mention of Rose, Donovan’s chest tightened. His grin faded and he sat straighter on his chair. “You don’t have anything to worry about. Xavier wouldn’t ask Lily out if he was still hung up on his ex-girlfriend. We’re not players.”
Iris gave him a curious look. “I know that. You men are the good guys.”
“Thank you.” How can I convince Rose of that?
“Are you and Rose ready for her reunion?” Iris got to her feet. “It’s less than three weeks away.”
Donovan stood with her. “Rose isn’t going to her reunion.” Iris’s question caught Donovan off guard. Surely, Rose had told her sisters that she’d changed her mind about the event. The three women were so close.
“Yes, she is. She made me sit through a run-through of her panel presentation the other night.” Iris made a face. “What makes you think she isn’t?”
“Because that’s what she told me.” Donovan crossed his arms over his chest. What was going on?
Iris blinked her surprise. “You must have misunderstood.”
“I’m sure that I didn’t.”
“Why would she tell you that she isn’t going if she is?”
“I’ll ask her.”
Chapter 13
“Van, is something wrong?” Rose let Donovan into her house on Monday evening.
She hadn’t expected to see him again so soon. With Iris dating one of Donovan’s best friends and Xavier making eyes at Lily, she knew she couldn’t avoid Donovan forever. But she’d hoped to have a bit more time to prepare herself. Right now, her pulse was beating so fast she couldn’t catch her breath.
Donovan turned to face her. “You lied to me.”
She crossed into the living room. Donovan followed her. Her mind was racing for a response. There wasn’t any point in lying again. He’d only call her on it. Besides she didn’t like lying to him at all.
“Who told you?” She sat on the sofa, gesturing for Donovan to take the love seat.
“Does it matter?” Donovan folded his long, lean frame onto the black leather love seat.
“No, it doesn’t. I was just curious.”
“So am I.” Leaning forward, Donovan balanced his elbows on his thighs. “Why did you lie about attending your reunion?”
She didn’t want to lie to Donovan, but she didn’t want to tell him that she was afraid of falling in love with him, either. “I didn’t want you to feel obligated to attend the reunion with me. That’s why I told you that you’d fulfilled our business agreement.”