by Anna Parsons
Evie stepped out of her car in front of Maxwell’s. Had she not known it was a high-end jewelry store, the façade would not have given it away. It was a simple brick building with the name on the outside in brushed aluminum lettering. Stepping inside, the shop seemed much smaller than she thought, given the size of the building. “Miss Evangeline.” A stout man, almost as big around as tall, came from behind the counter to greet her. “Welcome to my store.”
“How did you know it was me?” Evie asked as she extended her hand, which he accepted into his own. He looked down at the bangle, touching it gently.
“Miss Evangeline, Mister Dylan described you perfectly. I would be able to pick you out in a crowd very easily.” He lifted her wrist, pointing at the bangle. “It fits you perfectly.”
“Thank you, Mr. Vogt.”
“Please, call me Max,” he said, leading her to a display case. “So, you are interested in a watch?”
“Yes.” She followed him. “Something that he can wear every day.”
“I am sure we can accommodate you, Miss Evangeline.” He sat down on a stool behind the counter, Evie taking the seat in front.
“Please, call me Evie. ‘Evangeline’ is so formal,” she said with a smile. Maxwell nodded. She looked at the watches in the case, but nothing caught her eye. “Max, I would like something like this…” She reached into her bag and pulled out a picture she found surfing the net at work.
“Ah, this is a lovely watch, Miss Evie,” he said. “Rolex has some fine pieces. Please, come into my office. I keep some unique things set aside for special customers.” Evie rose to follow him, completely unaware that a man stood only a few steps from her, watching her every move.
* * * *
“Sir, did you want to see this ring?” the older woman wearing reading glasses on a chain, asked him. Peter returned his attention to her after watching Evie enter the back room.
“Yes, thank you.” He took the ring from her, looking closely at the stone. He returned the ring to her, his attention still on the door to the back room. He’d thought of her many times since Dylan snatched her from where he’d left her. I had high hopes for her. Oh, well. He can have her. I found something better than a half-breed slut anyway. “Not diamond. Maybe ruby. It will match her coloring better. She’s a redhead.”
“I think we have something you’d like, sir.”
* * * *
Evie took a seat in the comfortable chair in front of Max’s desk, which was perfectly clean, not a sheet of paper, or a pen. Nothing. The office was impeccably neat, with several gemology books on the shelves and pictures of what must be his family. He returned from the large safe in the corner with a tray of watches. Setting them in front of her, he took his seat. “They are beautiful,” Evie said as she perused the watches in front of her. Some were a bit gaudy for her taste, but she could still see the beauty in them. She lightly touched the timepieces, trying to figure out which one suited Dylan best. She paused over one.
“That’s the one.” The voice returned to her.
No, that one is not quite right.
“I am sure he would like it.”
No. Not that one. She continued to move down the line. A woman entered, speaking to Maxwell in German.
“You’re looking for a watch for Mister Dylan?” she asked in an accent thicker than Maxwell’s. “This one, I think.” She pointed at the same one that her faerie godmother indicated. Yellow gold, with diamonds surrounding the face.
“My wife also knows Mister Dylan,” Maxwell said.
“I think this one,” Evie said, picking up an elegant white gold watch, black faced, with diamonds at the hour marks.
“You have superb taste, Miss Evangeline,” Max said as he took the watch from her hands. “This watch is elegant, and strong.”
“Those are words I would use to describe Dylan, so I guess the decision is made.”
“This is the Rolex Day-Date Domed Bezel President in white gold with a black onyx face, and about $37,000,” he said, reaching for a similar style piece. “This is similar, in steel, without the diamonds on the number marks, and is about $6,500.” Max set both watches side by side, really unsure how much Evie wanted to spend.
“I’ll take the white gold with diamonds, please,” she said as she reached for her wallet, producing her platinum card.
“Excellent, Miss Evangeline.” Max grinned ear to ear. “Would you like it inscribed?”
Evie paused looking at the watch. “Yes, sir, I would,” she said. But what do I want to say? “Let me think for a moment.” She pulled a notepad from her purse and began to write.
1.Love, Evie. No, that won’t work. I haven’t said “I love you” out loud yet. Won’t put it on the back of a watch. Plus, he doesn’t call me “Evie.”
2.Forever. Maybe. But that doesn’t say it all.
3.To Dylan, From Evie. WTF?
4.Always, Evangeline. Will that even fit on the back of the watch?
5.Forever, Hope. Not bad.
6.Forever yours. Close
7.Forever yours, Hope. I like it.
8.Forever Your Hope. Double Entendre. Depends upon emphasis. FOREVER, Your Hope. For always, for keeps. Or I am Forever Your HOPE. Not Evie or Evangeline, but rather the name he gave me. Or Forever YOUR Hope, no one else’s.
“Max.” Evie sat back in the chair. “I think I have it. ‘Forever Your Hope.’” She smiled, thinking of him opening the box.
“It will take me a couple of days to complete the inscription.” He passed her the order form for signature. “I could deliver it on Saturday morning.”
“That would be fine. We’ll be at the beach house. Do you need the address?” Evie started to write it for him.
“No, miss. I delivered your bangle,” he said, smiling.
“You do a lot of work for Dylan?” Evie instantly regretted asking the question. “I’m so sorry, Max. That is none of my business.”
“Not at all, miss.” He smiled. “He bought jewelry for his late wife. And for you.” He pointed at the bangle. “Aside from a few pieces here and there for his mother, not much. But he is still an excellent customer. He refers many people here because of our custom work.”
“Well.” Evie rose to leave. “Thank you so much for your time.” She extended her hand.
“The pleasure is all mine, miss.” He took her hand into his, bending to kiss her knuckles.
“Actually, Max, there is one more thing I need.” Evie returned to her seat and proceeded to tell Max about a special surprise she wanted for Dylan. After finishing her business, Evie walked from the office, heading toward the front door, with a smile on her face. He’ll be so surprised! She donned her shades when she walked outside, heading for her car. Look at the time! This took longer than I expected. She jumped in the car and pulled away from the curb.
Peter watched her exit the back room and walk to the door. She didn’t even glance in his direction. When she went through the door, he was right behind her, within inches of touching her, but she was too quick. He stood on the sidewalk, watching her drive away. When she reached to adjust the mirror, he noticed the bangle. “Damn,” he said to himself. Peter returned to the jewelry counter. “Sorry about that,” he said to the woman behind the counter. “Are we ready to go?”
“Yes, sir.” She turned the receipt so that he could see it. “That’s a gold over silver ruby ring with diamond accents, size eight. That’s eighty-three dollars and ninety cents.”
Chapter 28:
A Concert to Remember
“Would you please stop staring at the door, Mom?” Dylan said, trying to turn his mother’s attention back to her other guests.
“Well, darling, she should be here any minute, and I want to greet her.” Kate Rankin could hardly contain herself. Knowing that her son’s new love would arrive soon had her on pins and needles. Every time the doorbell rang, she jumped from her seat. “Oh, there’s the doorbell.” She quickly made her way to the front door, making it two steps ahead of the maid.
“Your mom is about to freak out.” Ben moved to stand next to Dylan, both in suits and ties. “I understand. I freaked out the first time I spent time with Evie, too.”
Dylan smiled, sipping his Johnny Walker, watching his mother greet Armand Vindinev and his wife. “She’ll be here in a minute. Then you can all fall all over yourselves to get to her, make her feel self-conscious because of all the attention and I’ll be there to pick up the pieces.” He lifted his glass. “Thank you very much.”
“There she is,” Allison said as she joined the boys. “Roberto Cavalli. Wow.”
Evie entered the Rankin home, wearing a sleeveless, fitted navy-blue dress with a keyhole showing just enough cleavage to be interesting. Her hair was pulled back into a ball at the nape of her neck. Her strappy stiletto sandals added to her height and the sexiness of the dress. “Goddamn, man,” Ben said, taking a step forward. He felt Dylan’s hand on the sleeve of his dark suit.
“As if I would let you close to her with your cock standing at attention,” Dylan said with a smile before moving toward his Hope.
Evie entered the Rankin mansion, awed by the general splendor of the home. Armand Vindinev entered just before she did, and he was being greeted by Dylan’s mother a few feet away. “May I take your wrap, ma’am?” a uniformed maid asked.
“Yes, thank you.” Evie handed over her sequined wrap and stepped forward, making eye contact with Dylan as he moved in her direction. In a dark gray suit and wingtips, hair impeccably cut, Dylan took her breath away. Evie nodded to Allison, looking tall and elegant in a little black dress, and Ben, dashingly handsome in a dark suit, stood with his arm around her waist. He smiled at her, lifting a glass to toast her, putting his fingers to his mouth and kissing the air, mouthing “beautiful.” She smiled, and mouthed “thank you” just as Dylan arrived.
“You are stunning,” he said as he took her into his arms.
“Thank you,” she said, accepting his brief kiss. “You’re gorgeous, as usual.”
“Evie,” Dylan’s mother interrupted. “I’m so glad you could make it. Come in. Come in.” In a cream-colored vintage Chanel pantsuit, Kate walked around the room, arm in arm with Evie, making introductions.
“I am pleased to meet you Mr. Vindinev,” Evie said as he took her hand. “I’m looking forward to hearing you play.”
“What a delightful creature you are,” he said in clear and precise English, obviously trained to keep his Russian accent at bay. “Beautiful bone structure.” He stared at her hand, turning it over and over in his.
“Thank you,” Evie said. I think.
“You must excuse my husband,” Ming Vindinev interjected. “He loves the human hand. He draws them, molds them. He particularly loves to see them play.” Her voice was surprisingly strong.
“Notice Kate’s hand,” he said, lifting her hand. “It is perfectly balanced. Fingers are symmetrical and properly distributed. She is an excellent player. She is genetically predisposed.”
“Evangeline plays, as well,” Dylan chimed in.
“Of course she does. Her hands are perfect for it!” he said, laughing. “Kate, I’d like to set up my space before dinner, if you don’t mind.” Evie watched them walk away. She walked to Allison and Ben.
“Evie, you look beautiful,” Ben said as he kissed her on the side of her mouth.
“Thank you, Ben.” She turned to Allison, who hugged and kissed her on the cheek.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” the statuesque brunette said in her ear. She winked as she returned to her place next to Ben.
“Here she is!” Owen Rankin, a handsome, older version of Dylan walked up to the group, wearing a blue sport coat over brown pants with a subtle pattern. He kissed Evie on both cheeks. “You are lovelier than I remember.”
“Thank you, Mr. Rankin, I—”
“Oh no, young lady, you must call me ‘Dad.’” He barked with laughter. Evie heard Dylan groan behind her. “Eventually, anyway. For now, call me ‘Owen.’”
So this is what my Dylan will look like in thirty years? I’m good with that. “Okay. Owen. Thank you for inviting me. I’m looking forward to hearing Mr. Vindinev in person.” Evie smiled. Dylan took her by the hand to lead her away from the group. “Excuse me,” she said over her shoulder. Walking close behind Dylan, they weaved through the mingling bodies, making small talk, until they reached the staircase. “Where are you taking me, Mr. Rankin?” she asked with a smirk, trying to figure out what mischief was going through his head as they ascended the wide staircase.
“Well, Miss Hope. You showed me your room. I think it only fair that I show you mine.” They walked down a wide hallway, before turning onto another. My word, how big is this house? Evie lost count after passing so many doors. He stopped in front of one and squeezed her hand and opened the door.
“Oh, my,” Evie said as she stepped inside. The room was as large as her living room, dining room, and kitchen combined. On one wall was a mural depicting a stadium tunnel before a football game, as players entered the field, appearing lifelike in silhouette. A large bed sat against another wall, covered with a comforter with the helmets of NFL teams. Between two large windows were a desk and chair. The walls were covered in posters of some of his favorite players. Two empty aquariums stood in one corner. “Did you have fish?” she asked, standing near the glass enclosures.
“No,” he said. “Snakes.” He saw her flinch slightly.
“Glad you outgrew that interest.” She continued to peruse the room. “I wish I could have known you when you were younger.”
“Really?” He smiled. “Why?”
“I would’ve liked to have known who you were as a kid. I bet you were mischievous, stubborn and hard headed. Some things you haven’t outgrown.” She giggled.
“I would have loved you then, too.” He pulled her into his arms, and kissed her passionately. “We better get back before you force me to take advantage of you.”
Just as they returned to the living room, the maid entered, announcing dinner. “Where’d you two get away to?’ Ben asked Dylan.
“I wanted to show her my room,” Dylan said, causing Ben to snort. “What?”
“Show her your room. Does that translate to ‘get a quickie’ before dinner?” Ben leaned in close so no one would hear.
“You’re such a pervert. We don’t have sex every minute,” Dylan said before pushing Ben’s shoulder.
“Just every other minute,” Ben said before leading Allison into the dining room.
With place cards at each setting, Evie found herself sitting to the left of Dylan’s mother, across from Armand Vindinev. At the other end of the table, Dylan was next to his father. Ben was seated next to Evie, with Allison on the other side of him, and other guests intermixed between the couples. Evie wasn’t thrilled about being separated from Dylan, and neither was he, if the look on his face was any indication. Ben also noticed.
“I bet he’ll be having a frank discussion with his mother after this,” Ben said to Evie. “I’m the lucky one tonight. I get you all to myself.”
“I think Kate will have something to say about that,” Evie said. “I think she wants to grill me about my intentions with her son.”
“Ya think?” Ben said with a soft laugh. Evie took a sip of water, the bangle catching Ben’s attention. “That’s quite a gift, Evie.” She followed his gaze to her wrist.
“I agree. It was unexpected.” She twisted the bracelet around her wrist.
“He loves you. That shouldn’t come as a surprise.” He tucked a stray hair behind her ear, causing Dylan to clear his throat loudly. Ben chuckled. “How many times do you think I can touch you before he comes down here to whip my ass?”
“If we’re taking bets, I think you have one more before you’re on the floor,” Allison said. The three of them laughed as the liveried servants started placing the first course.
The dinner proceeded with idle chitchat around the table, including many comments about the impeccably prepared
meal, and the beautiful surroundings. Kate enjoyed having time with Evie, giving the two an opportunity to get to know one another better.
“Evie,” Kate started. “I’m so glad that you could make it tonight. I’ve had to resist calling you for lunch or drinks.”
“You should have called,” Evie said. “I know I would’ve enjoyed it.”
Kate leaned in and whispered to Evie, holding up her napkin as though someone could read her lips. “Dylan forbade me from it.”
Evie gasped in feigned shock. “He didn’t!”
“Oh, but he did,” Kate said, returning to her upright position. “He said I would scare you off.”
Evie laughed softly. “I don’t think you’re frightening at all.”
“Evangeline.” Armand sipped his wine. “So you play?”
“A little,” Evie said, dabbing the corners of her mouth.
“What is your favorite piece of music?”
“Hmm. I guess Rachmaninoff. Piano Concerto no. 2 in C minor.”
He laughed loudly enough to stop all conversation at the table. “I do believe you’re pulling my leg, young lady! No one. I mean…no one who plays ‘a little’ would be even remotely familiar with that piece of music.” He continued to laugh, sipping his wine. “When did you start to play?”
“When I was three,” Evie said softly.
“And do you play every day?” He watched her intently.
“When near a piano, yes,” she said plainly and honestly.
“Then you do not play ‘a little.’ Do you play well?” Armand lifted his empty glass, which was promptly filled.
“I like to play. Whether or not I play well is really up to the listener, don’t you think?”
“Then we will be the judges. You’ll play with me tonight.” He picked up his fork and continued eating.
“Oh, sir. I could never,” she protested, feeling uncomfortable at the thought of playing in front of the gathering. “You’re a master violinist. I wouldn’t—”