“You thought Laura and I”—he chuckled some more—“were, what, sleeping together? Wait a minute.” He pushed back from her to look her in the eye. “You were jealous?”
“Well, yeah. You two had gotten pretty friendly since the gala. The Yankees game, meeting up at the bar, texting. What was I supposed to think, especially given your previous animosity toward one another?”
“Trust me, she’s not my type. Besides, I only had eyes for you.” He kissed her nose.
“How was I supposed to know that at the time? So then, why were you two spending so much time together?”
“She’ll kill me for spilling the beans, but I can’t have you jealous of your best friend. We were spending time together because we were working out the details of your birthday gift—a trip for you, to Sonoma and Napa Valleys. All expenses paid.”
Darcy raised herself up on her elbow to look Josh in the face. “What?”
“It was her idea. She said you told her over lunch some months back that your next series would be set in Sonoma and Napa and that you needed to take a trip out there, learn about winemaking and culinary training. So that’s your gift. A week under the tutelage of one of Sonoma’s top winemakers, and a week at the Culinary Institute of America in Napa. She pulled some strings with the winemaker, one of her accounts.”
“Wow! I don’t know what to say. That’s an extremely thoughtful and creative gift! And expensive. You two really shouldn’t have spent so much money.” And to think she’d been jealous of Laura. Guilt over their last words to one another rocketed through her. Boy, did she owe her big time!
“The day you met us at Bar and Books, I needed to pay her my half of the trip.”
“So you didn’t need to return her keys?”
“Nope.”
“You two are pretty sneaky.”
“Well, you better act surprised.”
“I will. I promise.” She hugged Josh. “I’m the luckiest woman alive. I have the two best friends in the whole universe.”
“Speaking of gifts, Birthday Girl, we should probably rejoin the celebration. They’ve likely sent out a search party for the guest of honor, and it wouldn’t do to have them find her wearing nothing but her birthday suit.”
Hands clasped, Darcy and Josh crossed the lawn toward the lights and noise of her birthday party. Darcy snuggled beneath the warmth of Josh’s jacket, inhaling his fresh citrus scent, wondering why she’d always written heroes that smelled of spice and woods.
Giggling like teenagers as they’d dressed, barely able to keep their hands off one another, Darcy remembered her sister and Matt’s rumpled appearance after their little tryst. Would it be that obvious to everyone at the party? Darcy nervously ran her fingers through her hair once again.
Stepping beneath the twinkling lights of the tent, her father was the first to greet them. “There you are! We wondered where you’d gone off to.” His eyes drifted to their clasped hands, then back up to their faces. A slow smile spread across his features, followed by a flush. “Oh. Well. Hey, Van, look who decided to join her own party.”
“Darcy! Where on earth have you been?” Her mother stood, hands planted on her hips, a pose Darcy remembered well from childhood. “We’ve been looking all over for you.”
Her father cleared his throat and thrust his chin in the direction of their clasped hands.
“Oh. Oh!” Her mother clapped a hand over her mouth before a giggle escaped, laughter dancing in her eyes.
Laura sauntered up, a glass of champagne in her hands. “It’s about time!” She stepped back, gasped, and pointed her finger in an accusatory manner. “You two had sex!” She wagged her finger in Darcy’s face. “You can’t deny it this time. My sex sensor is not on the fritz.”
Darcy could feel the blush to the roots of her hair. “Jeez, Laura.”
Laura’s eyes narrowed and she pulled Darcy in. “This wasn’t the first time, either!”
“Shh,” Darcy hissed.
Gloria had joined the group. “‘Bout damn time, too,” she muttered before walking off in the direction of the bar.
“We’re in love.” Josh reached out to cup Darcy’s face, kissing her.
Her father clapped Josh on the back. “I can’t think of anyone better for my little Tomboy-Princess.”
Her mother hugged Darcy to her. “I’m so happy for you both.”
Laura faced off against Josh. “You ever hurt her, and remember what I said about Cheating Bastard? That would only be the beginning.”
Darcy saw Josh cringe and wondered what Laura was talking about.
“Hey, everyone,” her father belted out over the music. “My daughter is in love!” As if her love life were breaking news.
The revelers erupted in applause.
“Dad,” Darcy muttered in embarrassment, but the elation she felt over her family’s acceptance of what must appear to be a rash development quickly overshadowed any discomfiture over the public announcement.
Brandon, David, Anne, and Matt gathered around to offer their congratulations as if people didn’t fall in love every day.
“Damn, sis, I thought you’d never find someone good enough for you,” Brandon gushed. “I mean, we had all given up hope of ever seeing you get the happily-ever-after you’re always writing about. David and I were just saying the other day, if your life were an Austen novel, you’d be Miss Bates—”
“All right, I get it.” Darcy shoved her brother.
His face wore a broad grin. “Seriously, Darcy.” Holding her by the shoulders, he looked into her eyes, his own serious. “Josh is the perfect man for you.”
Chapter 46
After the most awesome thirtieth birthday in history, she and Josh quickly fell into a comfortable rhythm, a mix of the thrill of newfound love and the comfort of the years they’d shared. It hadn’t taken long before Josh’s things ended up in Darcy’s house, his own apartment all but abandoned. Never much of a morning person, it quickly became Darcy’s favorite time of day. Waking in Josh’s arms, skin against skin, legs entwined, often led to slow, languorous lovemaking.
Evenings were spent in front of the fireplace, catching up on SportsCenter or watching a romantic comedy that usually ended with a pile of discarded clothes, heated making out, and passionate sighs.
Yankee games were a new experience. Every accomplishment was celebrated with a kiss, from home runs to base hits to double plays. Sadly, the Yanks lost in the seventh game of the World Series to the Atlanta Braves.
While Josh went to work as the partner in charge of the firm’s new mediation division, Darcy focused on rewriting her work-in-progress, pleased with the results. Millie had proven so helpful with her previous manuscript problems that Darcy now had her read each chapter as she completed it. Her insights and critiques were always right on target.
Two weeks after her birthday, Darcy overheard Josh on the phone with his mom, telling her that he and Darcy planned to come see her for Thanksgiving. He’d paused, listening to her response, then added, “I’m glad you’re happy for us, Mom. I love Darcy more and more every day.”
Warmth had spread from her head to her toes. Darcy felt truly loved and cherished. This is what she wrote about, this is what she’d dreamed of. And now she had it for herself. Josh’s unconditional acceptance of her opened her eyes to her real dream of happiness. Not her falsely bright superficial fairytale, but the deep, rich mutual love and respect that lasts a lifetime. Some day in the future they’d celebrate their sixty-third wedding anniversary just like Aunt Rosie and Uncle Al.
Josh’s days at the office were insane, between interviewing for potential mediators and secretarial staff, to reviewing and approving the marketing materials for the new division, to meeting with the Director of Finance about budgets. Even with the busy days, he’d take a few minutes to call Darc
y, see how her day was going and how the manuscript was coming along. And he thought about her throughout the day, looking forward to the time when he walked through the front door to take her in his arms and kiss her until they both became dizzy with want.
His secretary knocked on his door, interrupting his daydream. “Your two o’clock is here.”
“Right.” Josh stood, pulling on his suit jacket and straightening his tie. “Bring him in.”
Yep, he’d never been happier or more fulfilled in his life. His mentor and father-figure supported him, Kelly and Daniel had their home, and Darcy Butler loved him. There was just one thing missing, and this appointment was one step toward filling in that missing piece.
Josh approached the stout man wearing a camel cashmere coat and extended his hand in greeting. “Mr. Workman, thank you for coming.”
“Mr. Ryan. Where would you like to conduct business?”
Josh indicated the sofa and chair around the coffee table.
Mr. Workman set his heavy case on the coffee table and worked the lock’s combination, before opening the case to a dazzling display of diamonds of all shapes and sizes. “Now, tell me about your fiancée-to-be, and we’ll pick out the ring meant for her.”
In celebration of their six weeks together, Darcy planned a special picnic-style dinner in front of the fireplace. After laying out the cashmere throw that would serve as a picnic blanket and placing pillows on the floor, she tidied up the living room, plumping throw pillows and sofa cushions. Lifting one of the sofa cushions, she noticed a bit of cobalt blue peeking out from beneath the neighboring cushion. Pulling on the fabric, she realized it was one of Blake’s ties. She remembered the night of Martin and Cindy’s wedding when they were on her couch and were interrupted by the call from the medical charity.
He must not have missed it. Even so, she wanted to let him know she had it and if he wanted it, she’d leave it for him at the hospital.
Calling his cell phone, she got a voicemail that wasn’t his. Hmmm. Did he change his number? Wanting to resolve this, she dialed the hospital, asking for the emergency room charge nurse.
“Metropolitan Hospital ER, Nurse Buchanan.”
“Yes, could I leave a message for Dr. Garrett?”
“Who?”
“Dr. Blake Garrett.”
“We don’t have a Dr. Garrett on staff.”
“There has to be some mistake.” Darcy didn’t want to tell the woman she’d dated him, created him, even. “He, um, he treated my friend.”
“No, there’s no mistake. Is there something else I can help you with?”
“But— Did he leave?”
“Miss, I’ve been here for twenty years and we’ve never had a Dr. Garrett on staff. Now, for the last time, unless you’re bleeding from a knife or gunshot wound, or having a massive coronary, I have patients to take care of.”
The phone clicked. Darcy held the phone up and looked at it like the device had just insulted her. “She hung up on me!”
She didn’t know what to think. How could she explain that the man she’d created, who’d suddenly appeared in her life, had apparently disappeared just as suddenly? If it weren’t for the Hermès tie she held in her hands, she’d almost believe she’d dreamed the whole thing. Was it possible? Like Cinderella’s coach-and-four, was it really possible that Blake Garrett’s very existence had been magic?
Feeling dizzy, her legs quivered and she sank to the sofa at the thought. “Pfft. Impossible. Nurse Ratched was just having a bad day.”
“Honey, I’m home.”
Darcy checked the temperature on the roast, Josh’s favorite, before skipping out to the foyer. How she loved greeting Josh at the end of the day. Today, she’d taken special care with her appearance, right down to the purple lace panties and bra she wore beneath the rich purple cashmere wrap dress—easy on, and, better yet, easy off.
“Hi, Honey! How was your day?” She stepped up on tiptoe to plant a firm kiss on his lips.
“Look at you, lookin’ all June Cleaver.”
Josh’s gaze traveled the length of her, warming her inch by inch.
“But June was never this sexy.” He hung his coat on the rack. “My day was fine, but I can see my night is going to be even better.” He snagged her around the waist to pull her in for another kiss. “Do I smell pot roast?”
“Yes, with carrots and potatoes, just the way you like it.”
“What’s the occasion?”
“Our six week anniversary of course. And we’re having a carpet picnic by the fire.”
Josh followed her into the kitchen where she handed him a glass of Merlot. “Mmm. Good wine.”
“To us.” She raised her glass to his in a toast.
“To us.” Taking another sip of his wine, he backed her into the counter, and setting his glass down behind her, brought his lips to hers. “Mmm. Even better wine.” He licked the taste of her from his lips, sending a shiver of desire through her.
“You keep that up and your roast will be shoe leather before we eat it.”
“I could use some new shoes.” He nuzzled her neck, while she giggled in response.
“Take the wine and go sit down. I’ll bring your plate,” she said, with a half-hearted push.
“I like a woman who waits on her man.” He swatted her on the bottom as she turned to take the roast out of the oven. “Keep ‘em barefoot and pregnant, I always say.” He tossed a grin over his shoulder as he headed to the living room.
Darcy followed shortly with two plates. Sliced roast, baby carrots, and roasted potatoes, with green beans on the side.
The fire threw flickering light across one side of Josh’s face, leaving the other half in shadow, but she couldn’t miss the gleam in his brown eyes. Nickelback sang about never being alone, while the world outside continued its frenetic pace. But for now, she and Josh could savor this time together.
After dining on the succulent roast, enjoying the excellent Merlot, and talking over the events of their day, Josh settled back on the pillows, lounging like the Sultan Suleiman. “That was delicious. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Wait ‘til you see dessert—Tiramisu.”
“Woman, are you trying to make me fat?”
“Nope. Trying to make you happy.” She winked.
“You already make me happy.” Josh’s gaze grew serious. “Come here.”
Darcy’s heart performed a little stutter step at the look in Josh’s eyes. She moved to kneel in front of him while he sat up.
“Darcy, I know we’ve only really been dating—well, essentially living together—for six weeks now, but we’ve been together for almost ten years. In those years we’ve gotten to know one another about as well as any two people can.”
The stutter step became full-fledged tachycardia.
“In keeping with my promise to make up for lost time.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a little white box.
The breath Darcy was holding left in a rush.
“Darcy Elizabeth Butler, will you marry me, have children with me, grow old with me?” Opening the box, he took the heart-shaped diamond solitaire out.
Darcy sat speechless for a moment as tears blurred her vision. Once his words sank in, she threw herself at him, knocking them both to the floor. “Yes, yes, yes!”
He caught her face in his hands and kissed her with all the heat and tenderness, seduction and devotion, need and fulfillment she could wish for.
Epilogue
The Following May
Darcy’s satin slippers floated three feet above the lawn of her parents’ house, Josh’s hand clasped in hers. Everyone was there, all the people who meant so much to her, especially her Aunt Rosie, who’d opened her eyes to the true meaning of love and happily-ever-after. Even she couldn’t ha
ve written such a wedding celebration. In the space of a single baseball season, Darcy’s fairytale had come true. Check that. Her dream had come true.
The picture-perfect sky, all rich blue and white fluffy clouds, complemented the white bedecked tables and chairs set around the lawn beneath canopies strung with pale coral, turquoise, and green tulle. Alabaster roses topped the tables, matching the flowers in Darcy’s posy bouquet. The photographer followed along snapping memories—some candid, some posed. Champagne flowed like water, and the delicious hors d’oeuvres were served by none other than PrincessLeia22 and SluttyGirl.
She waved to Kelly as she and Brandon made their way to the dance floor. Kelly and Daniel had become members of their extended family, and Darcy counted her among her dear friends. Millie stood on the fringes, as she always seemed to do, talking with David. Anne looked beautiful in her bridesmaid’s gown, her face aglow as she and Matt swayed to Lifehouse.
Darcy had already performed the traditional wedding dance with her father and her first dance with her husband. Now free to enjoy the reception until the cake-cutting ceremony and bouquet toss, she walked with Josh, sipping champagne and secretly toasting her good fortune.
Josh had managed to completely surprise her. When she’d stepped out of her parents’ house on her father’s arm and onto the runner for her walk down the aisle, she blinked in confusion. At the end of the aisle, just in front of the flower-covered arch sat Josh on the back of an enormous white horse, Daniel standing next to him as best man.
A giggle had escaped her, and she whispered to her father, “Did you know about this?” His knowing grin had said it all.
Darcy thought about all those years daydreaming about her knight charging across the lawn to whisk her away, making her dreams come true, and there he sat atop his white horse.
Once she’d reached the arch, Josh dismounted and gave her a sweeping bow, as a young man led the horse away.
Dreams of Perfection (Dreams Come True) Page 23