by Wendy Wax
“I knew it would be perfect on you,” Nikki said, thrilled to see what she’d imagined coming to life. “I heard that John and Steve have two signed contracts already. Hannah Friedan brought friends, and I saw June Steding taking a tour. I think she’s considering a one-bedroom.”
“She is,” Bitsy said as Joe stepped into the lobby. “And your incredible husband just confirmed that Bertie is being put on a plane to Miami next Friday.” She hugged him. “And he’s gotten me permission to be there. I can’t believe it’s almost time to put this whole thing behind me.”
“I’m planning to come along as an unofficial observer to make sure he survives the welcome home party,” Joe said. “I’m just going to get a quick preshow photo for my folks. I promised them I’d send live video of the girls’ modeling debut.” Nikki watched him crouch down and saw their daughters squeal with happiness just at the sight of him. She knew the feeling, and as he gave her a peck on the cheek and headed back outside, she wished for the thousandth time that he’d returned to a picture of perfect parenthood and not the frazzled failure he’d found.
Ah, well. “What do you say, ladies and gentleman? Are we ready to rock and roll?” Nikki asked.
“Let’s do it!” Maddie said.
“Places, everybody!” Bitsy added.
“Les go, Mommy!” one of the twins called out. Dustin beamed beside her.
“Woot, woot, woot!” the models chanted.
“All right,” Nikki laughed. “Maestro?” she nodded to Ray, who had put together a playlist of songs for them to strut to. With a nod and a thumbs-up, he pressed “play” and she waited for the opening strains of Stevie Wonder’s “You Are the Sunshine of My Life.” Then she walked out to the podium and placed her script in front of her. It was definitely time to “rock and roll.”
To say that the show went off like clockwork would have been an exaggeration, but there were a satisfying number of oohs and aahs as the amateur models made the most of their concrete catwalk. All of it synchronized to a soundtrack of songs with “sunshine” in their title. Of which it seemed there were many.
The applause was loud and sincere. The finale, which consisted of Dustin’s valiant attempts to herd the twins, prompted laughter. When he finally picked Gemma off the ground and carted her the rest of the way, he received a spontaneous standing ovation.
“God, I’m glad we had two cameras on that,” Kyra said to Troy. “I was laughing so hard I don’t think I got more than a couple of usable seconds.”
“Definitely video that can be held over him in his teenage years,” Troy agreed. “You know, like on prom night and maybe right before his wedding.” He grinned. “In the meantime it’ll look great in the Sunshine sales video.”
The ovation turned into a group sing-along of the chorus to “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” as the models circled one last time.
There was a hugging frenzy at the podium and a rush of attendees offering their congratulations as they moved inside to peruse the clothing up close and make their selections. Nikki smiled for the local press and watched two television reporters do stand-ups with the Sunshine in the background.
“You were great!” Joe said when the crowd around her finally dispersed. “I’d say the show was a success from every point of view.”
“Thanks. It did go well, didn’t it?” The adrenaline rush had begun to slow but the sense of accomplishment remained.
“I’ll say. There’s serious buying going on in there,” Joe said. “And I know John and Steve are happy with the turnout and attention. They sold at least three cottages and a bunch of beach club memberships.”
Nikki drew a deep breath of air into her lungs, and felt a glow of well-being.
“There you two are!”
They turned to see Luvie approaching with Gemma and Sofia already neatly tucked into the jogging stroller.
“Congratulations, Mrs. G. That was a marvelous fashion show,” Luvie said.
“Thanks.” Nikki smiled at the nanny. “I thought Dustin and the girls were fabulous and totally stole the show.” She grinned down at her daughters, her heart filling with love.
“Would you like me to take them home for their nap?” Luvie hesitated. “Or would you prefer to do the honors?”
Nikki met the older woman’s eyes, saw the goodwill in them. “I’d really appreciate you putting them down for a nap.” She smiled. “But thank you for asking.”
“Not at all.” The nanny smiled back. “Off we go then.” She turned the stroller and off they went, the twins jabbering in their own private language and not even looking back. This time Nikki saw it as the good thing that it was.
“Well done, Nik,” Joe said with an approving smile. “I know you were too busy to eat. Why don’t I take you somewhere for lunch?”
“Hmmmm, I guess I could eat,” she said. “But do you mind if we just go up to the rooftop grill? I’m too tired to even walk to the car.”
They made it up the Plexiglas stairs and took a table overlooking the beach. Joe ordered them cheeseburgers and fries.
“So, one fashion show and luncheon down,” Joe said. “What do you see happening next?”
She looked at her husband’s handsome face, with the kind eyes and their web of smile lines, and thought how lucky she was to have found this man, who was even more attractive on the inside. “I haven’t thought this all the way through, but I believe the vintage is going to continue to sell well. I’ll be interested to see what I can make happen with an expanded showroom in the lobby. Then if Bitsy actually buys the downtown Y and it’s renovated for mixed use . . . I don’t know . . . maybe we could add a second location.”
“You want to run two retail stores?” he asked, his surprise evident.
She was a little surprised herself, but it felt good.
“Well, nothing’s going to happen tomorrow. But I really enjoy the research and buying, and it felt great to have something to sink my teeth into. We did Do Over out of necessity. This is the first work-related thing that’s felt like me since I lost Heart, Inc. And now that we’re paying Luvie for all those hours . . .”
“Touché.” Joe smiled. “I wondered how long it would take you to get to that.”
“Oh, I plan to give you shit about it for the next twenty years or so,” she teased. “But you were right that having help, especially with twins, isn’t necessarily a sign of weakness.” She toyed with the glass of water that had arrived, and forced herself to meet his eyes. “Do you forgive me? It just seemed so important to prove that I could take care of the girls on my own, but I’m sorry I lied.”
He reached across the table and took her hand. “I’d like to believe we can talk things out better in the future. But you were right, too—I didn’t really consider where you were coming from. And I didn’t listen the way I should have.” He exhaled. “But in the future I’d rather yell it out than hide things from each other.”
“Agreed,” she said, squeezing his hand. “Are you really okay if we stay here?”
“Yes.” He looked out over the beach and the gulf that it bounded. The Don CeSar stood tall just to the north. “I think this beach suits us. And it’s a quieter, gentler place to raise children than South Beach.”
She sighed in relief and felt a renewed sense of peace at his answer. This was the closest thing to home she could remember since her own childhood.
The burgers and fries arrived and Joe handed her the ketchup. “I expect you to eat every morsel on your plate. And then we’re going to order an exceedingly fattening dessert.”
“Is that right?” She went for a challenging tone, but for the first time in a long time she felt an odd stirring in her belly that she thought might be hunger.
“It is. I don’t want you to lose another ounce. I can’t let the mother of my children waste away.”
Nikki smiled as she doused the fries and added a doll
op to the burger. Her stomach rumbled, but she was starting to think it wasn’t a rumble of hunger but of happiness. With Joe’s dark eyes pinned on her face, she picked up the burger and took a huge bite. He watched her chew. At his smile of encouragement, she took another bite. Then she had a fry. And another.
With a nod he picked up his own burger and began to eat.
Briefly, she considered giving him a hard time. But the burger was delicious and she wasn’t sure she’d ever had fries that tasted as good as these. There might, in fact, be such a thing as “too thin,” but at the moment she was very glad there was no such thing as too happy.
* * *
• • •
The last of the guests and models had left and cleanup was done, when Maddie felt eyes on her. She looked up from the rack of clothes she’d been straightening.
“Hello, Maddie-fan.” Will walked toward her, his craggy face lit with a mischievous smile.
“Will? Oh, my God! What . . . how . . .” She laughed and shook her head. “You’ve got me stuttering again. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? When did you get here?” Not waiting for an answer she rushed into his arms and looped hers around his neck. His lips were warm as they kissed through their smiles. She breathed in his spicy, masculine scent, felt the hard planes and angles of his body.
“I wasn’t totally sure I was going to make it, so I thought I’d take a chance and surprise you. I got in too late for the fashion show, but I did stop to check in at the Don.”
“You’re staying at a hotel?”
“I’m kind of hoping we both are,” he said, his smile growing wider. “Your place is a little small for four, plus the dog and I’ve only got a couple of days. I’ve missed you. I figured this way we could, um, make the most of them.”
She felt a ripple of what she’d learned to recognize as lust, but also a tremor of trepidation. Now that the artificial existence that was life on tour was over, would he expect to discuss what would come next?”
“Of course, I’m happy to feed you first, you know, to build up your strength,” he teased.
“That’s very generous of you. But I’ve already eaten.”
“Hmmmm . . . maybe a walk on the beach then? I wouldn’t mind stretching my legs.”
“Sounds good.” She stuffed her phone in her pocket. At the low wall she took off her shoes and stepped onto the beach, her bare feet sinking into the cool, soft sand. Will took her hand in his and led her down toward the water.
“How were the last gigs?” she asked when they hit the hard-packed sand and turned toward the Don CeSar, its huge pink castle-like walls and white-trimmed windows in stark contrast to the brilliant blue sky.
“Really good,” Will said. “Except I swear the whole damned crew was in Maddie withdrawal. Everybody sends their best.” He smiled and though she couldn’t see his eyes through the dark sunglasses, she knew that they turned the color of whiskey when he smiled, and could imagine the crinkles around them. His dark hair with its gray threads brushed his shoulders and stirred in the breeze as he turned his face up toward the sun. He slung his arm across her shoulders as they passed the Don and continued their walk.
A windsurfer cut across a low swell. In the sky a small plane towed its banner for an all-you-can-eat shrimp dinner at a local restaurant. She saw people recognize Will as they passed and was relieved when no one approached them.
“How are Kyra and Dustin doing?” Will asked as they walked through the shallow water.
“Better,” she said. I think they’re as glad to be home as . . .” Her voice trailed off.
“As you are?” he asked quietly.
“Oh. I . . . I hope you don’t think . . . I . . . I . . . didn’t mean . . .”
He stopped and removed his sunglasses. A small smile played at the corners of his lips as his eyes met hers. “You think I don’t know that this is home to you?”
“Well, of course you do. I . . . I . . . just didn’t want you to think that that meant that I . . . don’t um, didn’t want . . .” This was what came of being taken by surprise. She hadn’t stuttered this badly since the day they’d met.
“It’s okay, Maddie.” His smile turned rueful. “That’s how I feel about Mermaid Point. It meant a lot to me that you came on tour with me. Hell, everything’s better when we’re together.” He grinned. “With the possible exception of fly fishing. No offense intended.”
“I feel the same way.” She laughed. “And no offense taken. Although I’m sure the fish population of the Keys is missing the entertainment I typically provide.”
“I think you might be right about that.” He bent down and kissed her, his lips moving on hers until she could feel the blood whooshing through her veins. “But I brought something I want to give you. And there’s something I’ve been wanting to ask.”
She looked up into his face, but her heart was thumping and she didn’t hear what he said next, because her thoughts were pinging off each other and she was hearing what she’d said to Avery about how she shouldn’t be afraid to make a commitment to the man she loved and who loved her. About telling the truth. And what was that logical next step for two people who loved each other but marriage?
Will reached into his pocket and pulled out a small jewelry box. Air rushed out of her lungs. She fell back a step. Panic flooded through her.
“What’s wrong?” he asked. “What’s . . .”
But she was shaking her head, putting out a hand to stop him. “I love you, Will. And I love being with you. I do. It’s just . . . I can’t . . .” She looked into his eyes but saw only confusion. Well, who could blame him? She needed to head him off at the pass here, explain what she was only now just fully realizing, before he asked a question she’d have to say no to. “I just . . . I was . . . The thing is I was married for twenty-five years. I gave Steve and Kyra and Andrew all of me. I revolved around them. I can’t . . . I don’t want . . . I can’t do that again.” She swallowed, aghast at the words that had come pouring out of her. All of it true, but still not what someone about to propose would want to hear. “I’m so sorry, but I just can’t marry you.”
She exhaled. Braced for anger or disappointment.
Will blinked in what could only be surprise. “Whoa. Whoa. What?”
“And if that means you’d be happier with someone who can make that kind of commitment, make you the center of their universe, I’ll hate it, but I’ll understand.”
He blinked again. Straightened. Opened the jewelry box.
It was her turn to blink. Because the piece that now glittered in his hand was not a ring, but a truly beautiful reproduction of his Gibson acoustic guitar complete with strings made of gold and diamonds on the frets.
For a brief moment she was afraid he was going to laugh.
“I had this made especially for you by an artist I know as a memento of the tour and a thank-you for helping me find my way back to everything I was running away from when we met,” he said as heat flooded her cheeks, and she prayed for the sand to open up and swallow her or a wave to come and pull her out to sea. “I didn’t mean to scare you with it.”
“Oh, my God!” She couldn’t face him. She’d never be able to look him in the eye again. She made to turn, but he reached out and grabbed her arm before she could take a step.
“No, don’t run. Don’t go. And don’t you dare be embarrassed.” His voice was quiet but urgent as he turned her so that their backs were to the beach and no one could see their faces. “Because I love you, Maddie. I am all in. And if you wanted to marry me, or even thought you might, I would happily drop down on one knee right this second and ask you.”
She closed her eyes tight, willing this to be a dream, but the wet sand between her toes and the salt breeze teasing at her skin were real. And so was the man holding her against him.
“We’re lucky as hell to have found each other. We’re great together,
Maddie. But we don’t have to be married unless we decide one day we want to be. Or even live in the same place unless at some point we decide to. The only people we need to please or answer to are ourselves.”
He turned her in his arms. “Are you listening to me, Maddie? Do you understand what I’m saying?”
She forced herself to look up into his eyes and saw only love and admiration shining out of them. She’d been telling herself all this time that she could do anything, be anything, choose anything. But deep inside she had only considered traditional choices. Will was right. “Can it really be that simple?”
“I don’t see why not,” he said. “You’re more than I ever dreamed of, Maddie.” He leaned down and kissed her. “I like us just the way we are,” he murmured. “And if it ain’t broke, there’s absolutely no need to fix it.”
He kissed her again, his mouth insistent on hers, until she forgot where they were and most of her embarrassment and everything else but the feel of his lips and the words of love he kept whispering.
Thirty-seven
Bertrand Baynard walked out of the Jetway at Miami International Airport looking a little the worse for wear. He glanced down at his phone then up at the departure board, no doubt checking the status of his connecting flight to Buenos Aires. Which he would not be on.
It had been almost fourteen months since Bitsy had last seen her husband. Fourteen months since he’d disappeared without a word of warning or apology to start a shiny new life without her. Her heartbeat sped up and she could feel her pulse skittering in her veins.
Joe Giraldi stepped forward. “Hello, Bertie.”
Bertie’s eyes widened. “You? You ripped me off!” He said this with an odd mix of shock and anger. “You stole everything I had and you have the nerve to show up here?”
“It sucks, doesn’t it?” Bitsy stepped out of the shadows, her eyes on his face. Her legs wobbled as she took her place next to Joe, but she kept her head up and her gaze steady. So she got to watch his face fall. Saw him look from her to Joe and back again. Had the pleasure of seeing him put two and two together.