Crossing Double (A Heartbreaker Novel Book 3)

by Tamra Baumann

  “Sara?” Timmy Sanchez knocked on her doorframe. “The donor from BDC wants to ask you something.”

  “Okay.” She’d never talked to anyone from there before, but she gladly cashed their large checks. It’d be an excellent opportunity to thank them.

  She got up and followed Timmy down the hallway. But he stopped short of the lobby and handed her the pay phone receiver.

  A pay phone? No, it couldn’t be the last of Dani’s clues. It was a donor calling.

  She put her hand over the bottom of the receiver. “I thought you meant someone was here to see me. Why would they call on the pay phone?”

  “The tech is still working on our line trouble. He forwarded all the calls to this phone.”

  “Oh. That’s why it’s been so quiet around here today.” She lifted the receiver. “Hello?”

  “Hi, Sara. It’s Brent.”

  Brent? Oh, God. It probably was the call her sister warned of. “You own BDC?”

  “I do. It stands for Big Dog Corporation. Not very original, but there you go.”

  Of course, that was what it’d stand for. He’d always wanted a big dog. It made sense. “Why hide behind a corporate name?”

  “I wasn’t sure you’d take a call from me, but I figured you would from a donor. Is it a bad time?”

  “No. Now’s fine.” He gave a ton of money to the shelter. She should be polite and see what he wanted. But Timmy was sitting at his desk, tapping away on his computer, so she turned her back for some privacy. “What’s up?”

  “Two things. First, I heard you when you said people like me don’t give back. So I’d like to schedule a time I can come and talk to the kids.”

  “Really? That’d be great. Thank you!” He had listened. And he’d made some major changes in his life. So had she. “I didn’t get to finish telling you the other day that you were right too. I have more power by using my family’s fame than running from it. Especially now that my dad is on everyone’s blacklist. Better to talk about the elephant in the room and all.”

  “I read he had to sell everything. And that Veronica left him?”

  “Shocker about Veronica, right?”

  He chuckled. “You called that one. How are Zoila and Justin? I didn’t get a chance to talk to them at the graduation.”

  It was sweet he’d ask. “They’re good. My mom set them and my dad all up in a new but much smaller house. It was a good opportunity for me to fly from the nest.”

  “How was dorm life?”

  “Different. Loud. Strangely lonely sometimes, even though I had three other roommates in my suite.” She hadn’t meant to tell him that. Something about Brent always made her spill her guts. “How’s the crappy apartment?”

  “It gets lonely there too sometimes.”

  Hearing the sadness in his voice choked her up. She needed to change the subject. “You said you had two things you wanted to discuss?”

  “Yeah. I heard you might need a date for your sister’s wedding. Just so happens I’m free on Saturday.”

  Her grandmother had the biggest mouth. “The last time we went to a wedding together, it didn’t turn out so well.”

  He laughed. “True. But the getting-to-know-each-other-afterward part was fantastic.”

  “It was.” She closed her eyes. That part had been good. But could she bear to have her heart broken by him again? “I wouldn’t be a very good date. I’ll be busy at the wedding, doing maid of honor stuff.”

  “That’s okay. I’ll wait for you to finish. And I promise not to count how many drinks you have this time.”

  She smiled. “Good. Because that was annoying. Will you look happy to be my date for the pictures?”

  “I’ve been practicing my smile. All I have to do is think of you, and weirdly, it just happens now.”

  God, he was killing her. She could picture that sweet smile in her mind. It made her heart ache for him, but in a good way.

  He quickly added, “And, we can each have our own five-dollar Mexican food box afterward for old times’ sake. You paid last time, so my treat.”

  “Wow, tacos and chalupas? Every girl’s dream date. But I have to say no.”

  “Oh.” There was a long silence before he said, “Okay, then. I guess I’ll let you go.”

  “No. Wait. I’m just saying I can’t have tacos after. Because I’m watching my new nieces for a few days. I already knew you and Zach were coming because I’m in charge of the seating chart. I was giving you a hard time.”

  “Nothing new there. Will you at least save a dance for me, then?”

  “I don’t know. You told Veronica you’re not much of a dancer.”

  “Because I didn’t want to dance with her. The woman I ran away with would never let a few bruised toes stop her from having fun. What are you afraid of, Sara?”

  They weren’t talking about dancing anymore. “I have really sensitive toes. And they’re still feeling bruised from the last wedding.”

  “I promise to be careful this time.”

  “I’m just not sure I want to risk the pain again.”

  “You’re the strongest person I know. Take a leap of faith with me. And I promise that I’ll always be there to catch you. Because I love you, Sara. See you on Saturday.”

  He didn’t even give her a chance to respond before he hung up. She’d been wrestling with her feelings for him since she’d seen him at the graduation. And, if she were honest with herself, she’d looked forward to talking to him again at the wedding, but he was right. She was scared.

  She hung up the phone and made her way back to her desk. Once she sat down, she remembered the promise she’d just made to herself. That she’d accept the next invitation she’d gotten.

  He said he loved her. And she’d missed him, no matter how hard she’d tried to ignore it. She hadn’t accepted any offers for dates because they weren’t Brent asking. And she’d been downright lonely because she’d found and then lost the one person who she could talk to for days and never tire of it.

  Dani said the pay phone call would affect the rest of my life. She hoped I’d choose to be happy.

  How could she trust that he’d really changed? What if his new job was just a new obsession to replace the old one? But why did he still live in a crappy apartment when he’d given the shelter millions?

  She called up his account. The very first donation from BDC was for two and a half million.

  All the breath whooshed from her lungs. That was the money he’d saved for his beach house. And he’d given another three million since then. He could’ve bought his dream house from Zach, and yet he gave it all the shelter?

  Maybe he had changed.

  Dammit. Should she put her heart on the line again? Give him one last chance?

  Her grandmother had sent Brent’s new cell number, so she’d send him a text.

  Okay, it’s a date. I’ll meet you on the dance floor after the toasts. Step on my toes again, and I’ll send Mario’s family after you!

  He wrote right back.

  I prefer loafers to cement shoes anyway, so you got it. What color tie should I wear? I think we should match and make Justin proud of us.

  She smiled.

  Bright pink.

  Nope. Never mind.

  Kidding. Pale yellow.

  That works. Looking forward to the dance.

  Me too. Bye.

  She set her phone down and blew out a long breath. Only time would tell if the choice she’d made was the right one. But she’d never know if she didn’t try.

  Chapter 23

  Sara stood next to her sister while the minister talked about the meaning of love. Michael, the groom and a former football player, looked handsome in his dark suit. Her sister, as always, looked like an Italian bombshell in her low-cut ivory dress. And Michael’s two girls looked adorable with flowers and curls in their hair.

  The afternoon wedding ceremony on a grassy cliff overlooking the ocean was picture perfect. And so far, all the food and decorations inside t
he private golf club looked amazing. Her sister had wanted to make the wedding as easy on Sara to plan as possible, so they’d decided to have the ceremony in California instead of Albuquerque.

  She tuned back in to the minister and his definitions of love.

  “Love isn’t when you hate saying goodbye.

  Love is when you see ‘goodbye’ as the possibility of saying ‘hello’ all over again.

  Love doesn’t cover for your partner’s flaws. Love does show your partner’s flaws for all they are, but you love their imperfections because it makes them who they are.

  Love grows.

  And encourages growth.

  Love isn’t perfect.

  But it’s always close.

  And it’s nature’s way of tricking us into reproducing.”

  While people in the audience laughed, Sara glanced at the chairs filled with everyone she loved. She saw Maeve, Michael’s mother who used to be her mom’s assistant and stand-in mother for Annalisa when she’d been away. As had Mrs. Wilson, the world’s best chef and drier of tears. Zoila, who watched over her, and Justin, who befriended her through thick and thin. And her mom and grandma, who loved her with all their hearts.

  Mario, who treated her like a daughter should be treated, and Jake, her sister’s ex-husband, was there with his wife, Gabby, and their twin boys. No two divorcées got along better than Dani and Jake, because they’d always love each other at some level.

  Just as she loved those watching in different ways too, Dani and Jake had a deep bond that would always last.

  She glanced at Brent, dressed in a dark suit and a yellow tie that matched her dress. He smiled when he caught her staring, and her heart went gooey. Her heart never physically reacted to Scott or to any of her other boyfriends. She’d been happy to see them, but not like Brent.

  She wished the minister had said, Love is knowing you can always trust your partner won’t betray you like every other man had who’d come before Brent. Then maybe she’d have her definitive answer about committing her heart all the way to him again.

  But the line about loving people despite flaws was a good one. No one was perfect. Especially her. She’d asked her mom and Dani last night how they knew they were in love and could trust that they wouldn’t have their hearts broken, and they’d both said they just knew. Which was no help. She’d felt like she knew that in Vegas, but then things went south, and all she’d known was how much her heart ached. Seeing Brent again brought back all kinds of confusing feelings.

  So how did one know for sure they could trust the one they loved?

  Finally, the last speech was over and the cake had been cut and served, so the music began playing. Brent stood and made his way across the busy reception to the dance floor where Sara said she’d meet him.

  Zach and Eva were dancing so close, they’d get kicked out if it were at a high school dance. It made him smile. They were two of his favorite people. How great would it be if they ended up together?

  Weaving in and out of the people, he finally spotted a bright yellow ray of sunshine. Sara beamed a big smile at him as he approached.

  He held his hand out for hers. “Hi. Great speech, as always.”

  Sara shrugged. “Roasting my sister was fun. But it might be a while before she speaks to me again.”

  “Doubt that. You two did some crazy things when Annalisa was away, though.” He pulled her to the middle of the dance floor.

  “We had fun.” She snuggled closer as they moved to the music. “Wait a minute, you do know how to dance.” She looked up at him and grinned. “You’re actually pretty good.”

  “Better than you. I saw you dance at the last wedding.” He spun her out and pulled her back.

  “Another new fun Brent fact. I like it. Oh, and my mom said she’d watch the girls tonight if you still want to take me for that taco date.”

  “Great. I do.” When the music slowed, he pulled her closer and kissed her cheek. “I noticed you weren’t wearing your locket at graduation, or tonight.”

  “So observant. I kept it, but it doesn’t mean to me what it used to. I don’t know if I can handle any more lying men in my life.”

  He hated the defeat in her voice but was glad she’d taken it off permanently. Her father didn’t deserve the honor. “I hope you believe that I’m not lying when I say I love you.”

  A smile tilted her lips. “Why do you love me?”

  “Well, you don’t annoy me. And most people do,” he teased.

  “Seriously?” She leaned back and frowned. “Got anything a little more romantic?”

  “More romantic than lack of annoyance? Let me think.” He pretended to ponder as he led her off the dance floor and into a quiet corner. “I know. You’re the only one I’ve ever shared my cinnamon twists with and not resented it. Much.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I’m being serious.”

  He tucked a loose strand of soft hair behind her ear. “What’s the matter? Are you still having doubts about me?”

  “No.” She scrunched up her nose. “I’m having doubts about me. I don’t have the best track record with men. I seem to always fall for the wrong guys and end up getting hurt.”

  “Then let’s get serious.” He guided her to a nearby bench, and they sat. “I know I love you because thinking about you makes me smile. Just knowing you’re in my life made even the most daunting task seem doable. You make me want to be a better version of myself. And you make me believe that it’s possible.”

  She took his hand. “Did you make all those big changes in your life for me? Or for you?”

  “At first it was to win you back. To show you I was willing to change. But then once I quit my job and started giving away money I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to earn back, it gave me this strange feeling of freedom. To stop being so focused on having security and just living life. That’s when everything I did became for me. You gave me the greatest gift. You showed me how to be happy, Sara.” He squeezed her hand. “But I knew for certain I loved you when I was shopping for a gift for you the other day.”

  She blinked away tears. “What happened?”

  “I saw a pair of red-bottom shoes like the ones we had to ditch at Scott’s house. And I bought them for you.”

  She laughed. “And you swore you’d never buy me a pair of those. Thank you.” Sara lifted his hand to her lips and kissed it. “Don’t tell me my shoe size was in my FBI file too?”

  “Nope.” He leaned in to kiss her but stopped just before his lips met hers. “I guessed. But every time I do this, is another way I know for sure that I love you.” He laid his lips on hers.

  Sara closed her eyes and let Brent draw her under his spell with his kiss. The music and noise from people talking disappeared, and it was only her and Brent in the entire world. She slid a hand behind his neck and drew him even closer. Then he angled his head and made the kiss perfect. Made her feel so light inside, so free, she’d float away if he hadn’t been holding her so tight.

  How could she have forgotten how amazing it felt to kiss him? The first few times they’d been on the run, in danger, and yet for those brief moments, he’d made her feel safe. And the promise was still there in the way he held her, the way he teased her, and the way he smiled at her like a little kid on Christmas morning, eager to open his presents.

  He’d made a mistake. And he’d apologized for it. He’d believed he’d been doing the best thing for her by handing her over to the FBI. But then he’d put his job in jeopardy by calling Mario to be sure she was safe. He’d given up the beach house and taken a risky investment job with no benefits. He’d even gotten a big dog to love.

  And he loved her.

  She loved him too. Never stopped.

  Brent was worth risking her heart. Hopefully for the last time.

  He ended the kiss, and all the noise returned around them. He whispered, “And if that didn’t convince you, I know what will. Come on. Let’s ask the dream ladies how all this is going to turn out.” He grabbed he
r hand and tugged.

  She stopped in her tracks, making him stop too. “Wouldn’t you rather just be surprised?”

  “I want you to be as sure about all this as I am.” He led her to the front of the reception where her mom and grandma sat. He said, “Ladies. I have a request, please.”

  Her mom said, “But you don’t believe in our dreams, Brent.”

  He frowned. “How did you— Never mind. Sara, go ahead. Ask them if we’ll live happily ever after.”

  Sara laid her hands on either side of his face to get his full attention. “I don’t need to ask them. I’m good now. And I love you too, Brent. With all my heart.”

  He smiled. “You’re sure? A hundred percent?”

  “A hundred percent.”

  Grams called out, “Then could I interest you in knowing how many kids you’ll have?”

  “No thank you, Grams.” She shook her head. “It’s not too late to run if you want, Brent. I’d totally understand.” Her family, sometimes…

  “Nope. You’re stuck with me.” He turned to Eva. “You going to make an honest man out of Zach?”

  Eva grinned. “Maybe after you make an honest woman out of—”

  “Bye, guys.” Sara grabbed Brent’s hand.

  As she dragged him away from the crazies, Brent said, “Can we go back out to the cliffs for a minute? I forgot something.”

  “Sure.” She walked with him outside. The chairs were gone, and the sun was just setting, making the sky a gorgeous hue of pinks and reds. “Looks like they’ve already cleaned everything up. What did you forget?”

  “To introduce you to someone very important to me.” He stopped walking and took both of her hands. “Remember when you said you’re an excellent gift giver?”

  “I do. And I am.”

  “I think you’re about to meet your match.”

  What is he up to?

  Brent turned around and put his fingers in his mouth and blew out a shrill whistle.

  She turned to see what or whom he summoned. Zach stood near the clubhouse with a big Golden Retriever on a leash. He let it loose, and the dog ran like the wind toward them, while Zach turned and walked away. “Is this Ralph?”