Dario at least offered a supportive smile and reached around the assistant’s frame. “Lil,” he said, tugging Kimber forward, “we’re so glad to see you.”
Lilly’s dark eyes darted between Kimber and Dario. “Really now?” She gave a half laugh, as if not believing the two of them could ever be a couple. “Kimber, I thought you were living overseas after you didn’t get that job with MET.”
But the mention of MET reminded Kimber of Amelia’s words. The station might call on her yet. She slid her hand into her pocket to pull out her phone. She feigned boredom by scrolling through the screen while the two old “friends” got reacquainted. Kimber had messages from a few of the beauty queens she’d met in London. Instagram photos they’d tagged her in. There was an instant message of Philly playing connect the dots with the red pox marks on her arm. And she had a few confirmations from this morning, including one from a DJ who wanted to volunteer his services to the pageant, especially since the venue was a place he used to frequent as a kid while visiting his sick sister. Kimber liked the heartfelt angle of the story. But there were no messages from MET Studios requesting her presence.
“We just flew in from Dubai this week,” Dario explained to Lilly.
The truth was the truth, Kimber thought smugly. She fitted herself closer to Dari’s frame, claiming him to spite Lilly’s distasteful glower. For a second everything seemed so perfect between the two of them. Dario had been one of her best friends. She was sexually attracted to him, no doubt. And besides the mishap of last year, they’d never had a real fight or argument. Dario had pursued her since laying eyes on her. Was he really no longer interested in her? Nah, never, she thought, resting her head on Dario’s chest, evoking a partial lip curl from Lilly. Kimber smiled in satisfaction.
“I see,” Lilly went on quickly. “I won’t hold y’all up. Dario, will I see you again this year?”
Of all the nerve. Kimber stepped forward but Dario still had hold of her arm. He bid Lilly goodbye and steered the two of them off toward the car.
“I’m not going to have your little trollops disrespect me, Dario.”
“How is it disrespect if everyone thinks we’re best friends? Aren’t we? Unless you didn’t tell me you wanted to be friends?”
Taken aback, Kimber stopped walking. “Yes, I mean...well.” She fumbled for the words she wanted to say.
Dario tipped her chin. “Close your mouth or you’ll catch a cold. Now, let me give you a boost into the seat.”
“Are you forgetting about the offer I proposed to you earlier this week?” Kimber reminded him. He attempted to lift her by the waist to help her into the passenger’s seat. She managed to press her back into his body, teasing him. She heard the inhale he took. Dario was definitely trying to resist her. Kimber tossed a smile over her shoulder in time to watch his jaw twitch. To taunt him further, Kimber pressed her backside into him too. “Why are you making things so hard?”
In one fluid motion, Dario lifted Kimber into the Hummer. She giggled as he stormed around the giant vehicle.
“And here I thought beauty queens were quiet and demure.”
Her laughter died down over a choke. Kimber shook her head. “Have you just met me or something?”
“I don’t know,” Dario said right back. “I feel like after we talked last night and you told me about stealing a dress from Lexi’s store, maybe I don’t know you like I thought.”
A roll of her eyes was all she needed to give him before they headed down the road. He hadn’t given her an answer and it didn’t slip her mind that he still wasn’t responding to the reminder about her offer. At least not verbally. There were telltale signs he wanted her. It was three weeks until the pageant and Christmas. Something was sure to happen.
* * *
“When was the last time you went to Peachville?” Kimber asked, rocking back in her seat, apparently getting comfortable for the thirty-minute drive. The brown coat she wore opened at the bottom, exposing long legs fitted into a pair of skintight jeans and brown boots that stopped at her ankles. Dario knew beneath the suede shoes she wore a pair of Elf-inspired socks because he’d seen her come out of her bedroom this morning.
“Probably the last time we were here,” he said, happy to talk about something other than Lilly.
Whatever kind of date he and Lilly had been on was in the past. He’d thought she understood good and well they were simply friends. But Lilly was also part of the Christmas Chaos regime. She and her former husband split up their holidays, where she traveled with her kids over Thanksgiving while he got the kids for the winter break. She slayed in the Christmas Cookie Crush Contest. Lines of gingerbread houses were set up as part of the obstacle course. Contestants had to march or hop over a half dozen of the houses, belly crawl under the lowest branches of Christmas trees and then climb over a log wall half-covered in holiday wrapping paper. If memory served him correctly, Darren was working on this with Kimber’s uncle Nate. Nate Reyes was grandfathered in for an invite on account of the time when his wife was on assignment.
Kimber sighed. “Everything about that day seems so long ago.”
“You became a world traveler soon after,” Dario noted. “Is being back here making you want to stay?” Before the words finished leaving his mouth, he’d already caught the frown on her pretty face.
“Please,” she grunted. “I would have thought by now you understood I have no desire to settle down in Southwood.”
“You act like you love it here.”
“I do, but not enough to stay. I’m not sure if I ever told you or not but my folks weren’t the happiest living here.”
Hands gripping the steering wheel, Dario shook his head. “I don’t believe you did.”
“You know my dad was born and raised in Florida.”
“Villa San Juan,” Dario provided. He’d been to the northwestern island town a time or two on a delivery. “They didn’t want to live there?”
“No, my mom always felt self-conscious being around that side of the family,” Kimber explained. “I always thought it was because she didn’t speak Spanish and didn’t want to be made fun of.”
“Is that why you didn’t grow up bilingual?” He’d heard the stories about her uncles not listening to her unless she addressed them in Spanish. Having been raised by a second-generation Dominican and Cuban mother, Dario had learned early on to understand the language even if he didn’t use it all the time.
A beat filled the space between them. “Jingle Bells” played from the radio, which was set to one of the stations that played Christmas songs around the clock.
“I speak it now,” said Kimber with a slow smile. “Never too late to learn.”
Dario took a deep inhale of the air. “You’re living proof. How many languages do you speak now?”
“Just a few.” Kimber’s voice trailed off while she nibbled on the corner of her top lip.
With his right hand he counted for her. “English, Spanish, Arabic, French and Italian. What am I missing?”
“I’m picking up Portuguese,” she added.
“Wonders never cease. I could use you at the conference table,” Dario half-heartedly teased. The comment was in jest, but in reality, he could use a woman like Kimber beside him while making deals and compromises. Dubai was growing. But then, so was Southwood, especially on the stretch of land between it and Peachville.
Trees were being cut back to make room for the stretch of outlet stores anchored at a few gas stations and hole-in-the-wall restaurants. As they grew closer to Peachville, Dario slowed down for traffic. A festival was happening at the public school right at the border. Cars darted on and off the road. He kept a watchful eye on the way Kimber’s hand gripped the side of the door and slowed his speed more.
They arrived at Bradley’s Bakery. The local spot rivaled The Cupcakery with their cupcakes, but what set them apart was their variety of othe
r pastries. Despite her protest, Dario dropped Kimber off at the curb while he found a parking space around the corner. When he approached, she was hanging up a sparkling colored flyer about the upcoming pageant on a message board at the covered bus stop.
“I didn’t even realize you had that with you.”
“I always come prepared,” Kimber said, smiling up at him while he held the door for them to enter.
“Bienvenidos.” They were welcomed from behind the counter as they entered. Everyone else in the bakery seated at the lavender-and-white checkered tables turned to greet them the same way.
“I love it here,” Kimber whispered, clinging to his elbow.
The cases were filled with a variety of desserts and breads. They both agreed it would feel like cheating on The Cupcakery if they ordered any of the delicious chocolaty treats with the crushed candy canes. They focused on the display cases of cookies decorated like elaborately colorful tacky sweaters, and pastries like cannoli dipped in mini red and green chocolate chips. Five minutes later, they settled on a couple of caramel-crusted pecan croissants and two hot chocolates topped with what looked like fresh whipped cream and Oreo sprinkles.
“After we meet up with the photographers, I hope you don’t mind hanging out here for a minute. There are a few shops I want to check out,” said Dario, watching Kimber pick at a few nuts. Was she trying to be seductive with him? How was he supposed to concentrate with her dainty fingers slipping between her red-painted lips? He took a gulp of his hot drink and shifted to adjust himself in his jeans.
“What kind of shops?” Kimber perked up. “You know I’m down for shopping.”
“A toy shop with homemade toys made out of wood like back in the day.”
The afternoon sun coming in from the window caught Kimber’s light brown eyes as they widened. The amber color reminded Dario of the stones he’d used for the tiara he’d made her last year. The gift had never come out of the box thanks to their interlude under the sky. He twisted his lips to the side, trying to remember where he’d thrown the box when he came home after her major rejection. He cleared his throat to stamp down the memory of his heart breaking for the first time.
“Count me in. My cousin, Kenny, prefers to watch other kids on YouTube play with toys rather than play with anything. And his brother and sister don’t help. Angel and Victor will spend all day watching him watch the videos.”
“Kids these days,” Dario mumbled.
“Right?”
Like the bakery in Southwood, this one had a bell over the door to announce new customers. Dario flicked his wrist to check the time. Three men came in together. As when Kimber and Dario had walked in, the rest of the patrons greeted them. Kimber, with her back to the door, turned to join in the fun but she rose from her seat.
“You’ve got to be kidding me!” Kimber exclaimed while covering her mouth.
Curious, Dario stood to see what was going on. One of the gentlemen walking through the door stopped short so the man following bumped into him. Obviously Kimber and the first man knew each other. Dario inhaled deeply when she darted across the floor to hug him.
“Oh my God! I didn’t know I’d be meeting you!” Kimber said, pulling away but holding on to the man’s hands.
A camera hung from his neck by a green camouflage strap. He stood tall at six-five. Squaring his shoulders, Dario sized him up and figured he’d go a round or two in the ring before the final knockout.
“I didn’t want you to see my name and then decide not to meet with me,” the man answered.
“Now why wouldn’t I?” Kimber asked him. Her fingers gripped the hem of his blue Peachville High T-shirt.
Dario recalled two people from the same company contacting Kimber this morning like lightning the moment she posted on social media. More people began to enter the bakery. Kimber pulled the guy closer, out of the way.
“Oh, where are my manners?” she said. “Philip, I want you to meet Dario Crowne.”
“Crowne you say?” This Philip character asked, eyeing him up and down.
“That’s right,” said Dario. “You know me?”
Philip shrugged. “I know Darren. He invited me to visit the ranch.”
The two simple sentences told Dario a few things. Philip knew about Christmas Chaos. And Philip was single. Judging from the way the dude kept his arm wrapped around Kimber’s waist, he wanted to fix the latter.
“How do you two know each other?” Dario asked Kimber.
“Remember when I told you about Vin? This is Philip, my friend from high school.”
“Friend?” Philip asked, tugging Kimber’s side closer to his.
Great, Dario grumbled. This is turning out to be one hell of a Merry Ex-mas.
* * *
“’Twas three weeks before the Christmas Pageant.” Kimber held her selfie stick in the air and touched her chin, pondering her words. “Or is it ’twis, since it hasn’t happened yet? I don’t know, folks, y’all tell me. I’m standing here in front of the case of coveted tiaras housed here in the office at Grits and Glam Gowns off Main Street in Southwood, Georgia. We have tall ones, short ones, clip-on ones, pinned-in ones. But what we don’t have are the custom-made ones anonymously left at Four Points General Hospital. If you see something, say something. I’d love to feature you on my next blog. Alright, pageant pals out there, this is your favorite on-the-scene beauty queen correspondent signing out for now.”
Kimber stopped filming and headed out of Lexi’s office to find her aunt giving a mother and daughter the royal treatment, as every customer received. She remembered the woman as one of the coaches at Southwood Middle School who’d insisted Kimber come to PE dressed appropriately and expected her to participate. She offered a half smile, then waved at the little girl wearing one of the complimentary tiaras Lexi had started giving away with the purchase of a dress. According to Lexi, everyone deserved to feel like a princess.
“Thank you again for coming,” said Lexi, handing her customer a white garment bag as she walked the lady and her young daughter to the door.
Kimber stood behind the register in awe of her aunt’s hands-on customer service, taking care of the last customer of the day. They’d been pretty busy for a Sunday afternoon. And not all of it was folks coming to Grits and Glam Gowns for dresses for the Christmas Pageant. Lexi had recently released her New Year’s Eve line and women pounced on the sequined dresses alongside mothers fighting over the reduced-price one of a kind toddler cupcake dresses for the pageant.
“You didn’t have to come in today, but I’m glad you did. You can tell me how the kids are doing. If you let Philly tell it, she’s in an oatmeal prison,” Kimber said, following her aunt to lock the door and flip the sign to Closed.
Deep down she knew Lexi wanted to see how things were going with the pageant. So far Kimber had everything handled. The social media blast had brought the contestant list to forty by last night. No one had a problem with the last-minute extension. One person thanked her for giving them something fun to do on Christmas Eve. The hospital board and Nate were meeting this week to work on the theater. Sashes and trophies had been ordered. Lexi wanted to take care of the tiaras, which was fine since Kimber’s quest to find the designer of the custom crowns was on hold. She still needed to meet with Vin once more.
Lexi laughed and tossed her blond hair off her shoulder. “I can’t wait for Philly to win an Oscar. She’s been practicing for a while now.”
It wouldn’t surprise Kimber to see her sister make it in Hollywood as an actress. She did have a flair for the dramatic. “Vin mentioned she is contagious until the pox are scabbed over.”
“Dr. Vin?” Lexi repeated with a grin. “He’ll always be Marvin to me ever since the two of you pretended to be a couple. I still recall how sweetly he looked at you last year.”
“While I got my stomach pumped due to my uncles trying to cook?”
> Lexi smiled and waved off the past. “Let’s get some tea and you can give me the tea.”
They headed into the kitchenette, which separated Lexi’s two businesses. On one side, she owned one of Georgia’s most visited boutiques for wedding, prom and pageant dresses. Music poured through the open doors on the other side of the business where Grits and Glam Studios trained budding pageant queens.
“There’s no tea to spill,” said Kimber. She took two glasses down from the pink painted cabinets over the sink.
“He had such a crush on you. It was so cute.” Lexi took the glasses to fill them with ice from the door on the side-by-side stainless steel refrigerator. Kimber followed to grab the pitcher of sweetened tea with floating lemon slices.
“I don’t think so.” Kimber frowned. “Things may be different now.”
“Because you can finally see how handsome he is?”
Kimber narrowed her eyes at Lexi. “What?”
“You never looked past the glasses and the geeky clothes,” Lexi explained. “But I could tell the way he looked at you, he only went along with your cover plan because he liked you.”
“As a friend,” Kimber clarified. “But as I was trying to say, we did go out for dinner last Friday.”
“What? You didn’t tell me.”
With a shrug, Kimber shook her head. The same blah feelings she’d had after the dinner washed over her. “I’m telling you now, and really, there’s nothing to tell. Dario and I ran into him at the hospital in the children’s ward.”
The words just rolled off her lips. Dario and I. Like they were a couple or something. But they weren’t. Kimber didn’t do relationships.
“Wait, you were with Dario?”
“Yeah, we have an agreement. I’m helping him childproof and decorate his condo for his brother’s family. In return, he’s chauffeuring me around town.”
Lexi rubbed her temples. “What now?”
Christmas with the Billionaire ; A Tiara for Christmas Page 24