Kimber pulled him back a step. “Relax, Dario. We’re just trying to find some clarity. I don’t know what’s going on here, but if both of you are true to what you’re saying, y’all won’t mind coming up with another one.”
“What?” the men chorused.
“By the night of the pageant,” she added, crossing her arms over her chest. “Or my article is going to expose a lot more.”
“Want to enlighten me?” Dario asked.
“Sure. While you were gone, Vin admitted to me that he created the tiaras. And while I was out here waiting for you, Philip just sprang the news on me that he created them and left them behind.”
Chapter 8
“This is hilarious,” Darren laughed.
That weekend, Dario still could not believe the turn of events. He struggled to suppress the need to wrap his hands around the throats of the doctor and the photographer and show Kimber he was a changed man. The old Dario would have settled things up right there in the hallway, but that hadn’t been the time or place.
“At least you can take out some of your frustration on the photographer at Christmas Chaos,” said Darren, finally sobering up from his cackling. Dario regretted telling Darren what had been going on over the last few days.
Kimber had left bed early that morning to head off to a baby shower with some high school friends who’d promised to bring her back to her apartment after hanging out. Not that Dario needed to approve her plans. Dario’s plans that morning included setting up the inside of the ranch house with his brother. They cleared out the rooms, placing the furniture in portable storage pods that had been placed behind the house so no one driving by noticed and thought they were moving. After Christmas Chaos, they usually took advantage of the empty space and repainted the walls—which sometimes was necessary if the nightlong party got out of hand. Regardless of what people thought, colored icing did stain if left on the wall.
“Speaking of Christmas Chaos and this photographer...” Dario said, hammering a nail into the wood for the makeshift platform hoisted four feet off the ground. This contraption was for the jousting competition that used the inflatable giant lollipops and candy canes that decorated front lawns.
Darren, down below in the box that would eventually be filled with a soft foam mat, measured out the distance between the drop and the landing to make sure it was safe. “Um, Phil, right?”
“Whatever,” Dario said over an irritated sigh. He preferred not to call him anything but the photographer. “He alluded to Christmas Chaos.”
“Oh yeah, that’s right,” Darren snapped his fingers together. “He’s a single dad and won’t have his kids this Christmas.”
The rule had been to invite disgruntled single parents, so once Dominic was married, Christmas belonged to the family. The twins just wanted to continue to have fun. But Dario pondered if this would be his last Christmas Chaos. He saw himself married and settled down by next year. After being with Kimber last week, he was one hundred percent positive they were destined to be together—regardless of what these two imposter clowns were trying.
“Man, you left the door open for these phonies by refusing to tell Kimber the truth,” said Darren, getting back to the incident. Dario shot his brother a look. Darren held his hands up in surrender. “It is my duty as your older brother to tell you the truth no matter how much it hurts.”
Dario went back to hammering the same nail he’d been fixated on for the last three minutes. He was losing his edge. This platform would have been built in thirty minutes a year ago, but today his mind was sidetracked and filled with how to make things right with Kimber. “I can’t come out and tell her now.”
“Why not? Didn’t we learn as children that honesty is the best policy?”
Hammer in midair, Dario snorted. “Did you practice it?”
“Hell no,” Darren laughed. “But we’re not talking about me, we’re talking about you and Kimber. If you want her like my twintuition is telling me, then you need to go forward and tell her. Unless you want me to step into your place.”
“Twin magic isn’t going to cut it.” Dario hammered the last nail in and decided he was done with this for the day. “We’re not kids anymore and you’re...” Dario pointed the head of the hammer in Darren’s direction.
Darren flipped him off. “Whatever, man, I look good. And now you get to see what you’ll look like with a dad bod.”
“A what?” Dario hopped down to the mat. The sky was clear and there were no predictions of rain. Wet weather didn’t bode well for Christmas Chaos. After the tree throwing, he’d planned on a tree lighting service for those parents who wouldn’t be with their families on the big day.
“A dad bod.” Darren patted his stomach. “The ladies love it.”
“I think they also love the idea of the key word in there, bro,” said Dario. “The part about being a dad. Unless there’s been something going on since I’ve been gone for the last year.”
“Hell no,” Darren exclaimed. “I make sure to wrap up every time.”
Dario stepped closer and patted his brother on the shoulder. “Good boy.”
“What about you? Are we going to have any surprises in the New Year?”
“Let me get through the holidays without her finding out about the tiaras,” said Dario, pulling his sweaty shirt over his head. “Then maybe we can plan for the future.”
Tonight he and Kimber had plans for a picnic in the park to watch a Christmas movie on a big outdoor screen. Dario had already had their order of Garrett’s popcorn delivered to the condo to take on tonight’s excursion.
“Do me a favor, will you? Saw these boards for me.” Darren picked up a couple of two-by-fours. “You know the size.”
“Alright, but then I’m out of here. I gotta let Hamilton out.”
“You’re so domesticated now,” Darren teased.
It was a good thing Dario hadn’t mentioned the chicken in the crockpot. “I think you’re confusing me with yourself.” He laughed before heading over to the sawhorse in the driveway in front of the house. The level ground made it a better surface than the grass, plus it was in the shade.
While working, his mind focused on Kimber and her potential heartbreak over the betrayal of her old friends. Old friends. He scowled and sawed the wood. Those two jokers wanted a hell of a lot more than friendship. But they were wasting their time fawning over her. Kimber was his. Tonight’s picnic in the park would show the whole town they were together, not as best friends, but as a couple. This excited him. Being around Kimber in this capacity made him happy. Dario would have accepted being Kimber’s friend, but this was better. It wasn’t just benefits. She cared. God knew he cared too.
“Damn.”
Dario glanced up from his task and found a yellow convertible GTO in the driveway. Kimber paused in the front seat while the other women sat up in the car hollering out catcalls. Kimber mouthed an apology as she shook her head at her friends.
“Don’t make him mad,” said Kimber. “He’s got a saw.”
“Saw, see, whatever,” said the driver. “How ya been, Dario?”
He couldn’t recall her name. The only person on Dario’s mind was Kimber now that she was here. And then he realized something. She was here. The making of Christmas Chaos was here, as well.
“What’s going on, ladies?” Dario set the saw and wood on the ground.
“Oh, you know,” said the girl sitting on the headrest of the back seat behind the driver, “we’re just being our regular rowdy selves.”
“Speak for yourself,” Kimber said, reaching for the door. Dario met her and held on. She cocked a glance at him. “Let me out.”
“You can’t just roll up on some dude’s house without a phone call first,” said the girl in the car behind the passenger’s seat. “Gosh, Kimber.”
“This isn’t just some guy, Maureen,” said Kimber before
flashing Dario a killer smile.
“G’on and claim your man.”
Given the fact he was the man to be claimed, Dario nodded, opened the door for Kimber and took a deep, proud breath. Kimber stepped out of the car, heels first. He didn’t recall seeing the little black dress and studded heels when she left that morning. This might be another outfit he’d want to see her in later—minus the little black dress.
Kimber slipped against Dario’s frame. “It’s been great catching up with you guys.”
“Don’t forget we’re meeting up for Christmas Cocktails after we chaperone the dance on Tuesday.”
Dario recalled the dance at Southwood Middle School. Considering it was an event for hormone-ravaged teens and preteens, the ladies deserved an evening afterward filled with some alcohol.
“Thanks, Johnetta,” Kimber said to the driver.
The yellow car backed into the street and took off with more catcalls over the booming music. “Sorry about that,” Kimber breathed, “and about just popping up on you like this.”
Dario shrugged his shoulders. “It’s cool.”
“I remember you said you were coming out here today and I didn’t think you’d mind giving me a ride back into town whenever you’re ready to go. I can just hang out with Hamilton. Is he here?”
“No,” Dario said quickly...too quickly.
Kimber smoothed a lock of hair behind her ear. “Is there someone inside I shouldn’t see?”
“Of course not.” Dario reached for her hand. Their fingers laced together, locking in place. “You can pop up on me anytime you want.”
“Can I now?” Kimber looked up at him. Sunlight flickered against her light eyes. Their bodies faced each other. “Why is that?”
“Because you are my lady,” he said. With his other hand he traced his index finger down the side of her face. Dario’s heart slammed against his chest.
Kimber’s lashes fluttered. “Are you calling me your girlfriend?”
“My lady,” Dario clarified. “We’re grown adults, Kimber.”
Shoulders squared, Kimber gave her head a light shake. “I’m not planning on staying in Southwood.”
“As I said, we’re grown. I can travel, you can travel, and let’s not forget I’m friends with a sheikh who has his own plane. We can figure that out later. All I know is this.” He paused to wave his finger between his chest and the soft swell of her breasts. “This is officially happening between us.”
Kimber kissed the tip of his finger. “Well damn, let’s go make this official.” She grabbed him by the finger and tried to lead him back to the house.
Dario let her pass him, then twirled her around in a dance move before dipping her in his arms. He kissed her lips and neck. Kimber fumbled around with her purse. “Let’s capture this moment for my blog.”
“There’s nothing to capture,” Dario said dryly. “You need to stop posting all your business on the Web.” Kimber stood stock still except for her blinking eyes. His concern stemmed from the videos that had led to the fake confessions from both the doctor and the photographer. But he immediately regretted how it had come out. “Babe,” he said gently pulling her into his arms, “I’m sorry. This heat is making me crazy.”
Kimber eyed him suspiciously. “Maybe we need to get you inside?”
“Let’s go back to the condo and celebrate.”
“If you’re not feeling well,” Kimber argued, “you should go lie down.”
“I don’t want to go in there or Darren might make me clean more. I was really trying to sneak out of here.” The quick excuse was enough to make Kimber relax in his arms as she smiled. He savored this moment, yet hated himself for having to lie to her. Soon. Soon enough he’d tell her everything.
* * *
Sunday night picnics in the park were a new thing in the last year and Kimber looked forward to being a part of one. All types of blankets were spread out on the grassy knoll, from old green plaids to afghans to bedsheets. Someone even brought a blow-up love seat. Kimber and Dario settled on an old dark blue quilt from his closet. Neither of them had planned it, but when he showed up at her apartment, they were each wearing black sweatpants and a white Crowne’s Restoration shirt.
Dario had been sweet enough to pack an actual meal for their picnic. The chicken he’d made smelled better than anything coming off the food trucks parked along the edges of the park. And to make things even better, he’d brought her favorite caramel and cheddar cheese popcorn for dessert.
“This night can’t get any better,” Kimber said, looking up. Resting her body against his chest she got a view of his clean-shaven chin. She didn’t need to see his face to get chills down her spine. The memory of pulling into his driveway and seeing him all sexy with his shirt off while holding a saw was forever singed into her mind. She couldn’t even get mad at her friends for ogling him. Dario was hot. And right now, he was all hers. People she’d known growing up in town waved hi, stopped by to welcome her back or speak to Dario about one matter or another.
“Maybe,” Dario said. He nudged her back with his knuckles, “we’re about to get a visit from one of those politicians.”
Through the crowd of locals, Kimber spotted her cousin with ease. Ramon Torres stood a head above everyone else. Not many mayors sported a man bun and made it look cool. The fact he grew his hair out only to donate it to Locks of Love made him even cooler. Maverick Torres sat on his shoulders using his father’s bun as a steering wheel. Where the two-year-old thought he was going baffled Kimber, but either way, she scrambled to her feet to greet Ramon and his wife, Kenzie. People stopped to shake Ramon’s hand or have a quick conversation with him.
“There you are,” Ramon said in a deep booming voice. He and Kenzie wore matching red T-shirts with #TeamSouthwood on the front in bold letters. “I heard you were in town.”
“Hola, Tío Ramon,” said Kimber. He was her father’s first cousin, close in age to her uncles, so he earned the moniker of uncle, as well. “Hola, primo.” Kimber held her arms out for the baby and he came all too willingly.
Kenzie Swayne Reyes embraced Maverick and Kimber at the same time for a group hug. “Hey, sweetie, how are you?” She pushed her mass of curly red hair off her shoulder, taking a glance at Dario, who stood by Kimber’s side. “Fine, I see,” she said with a wink.
The two men greeted each other with a firm handshake. “I talk to your brother Darren all the time. I hear you’re doing big things in Dubai, Dario.”
“Yes, sir, trying to.”
“You know the city’s coming up with a regional urban planning board. I would love to throw your hat in the ring as leader of the project if you’re up to it.”
Unlike Kimber, Dario wanted to stay in Southwood and she didn’t judge him for it, though she knew it would concern her when it was time to leave after the holidays. Rather than think about their future together, Kimber excused herself from their conversation, promising to return with a couple of beers. Kenzie followed and linked her arm through Kimber’s elbow.
“I saw Amelia around here,” said Kenzie. “You may want to savor your time with Maverick because once she sees him, she’s going to take him away from you.”
Laughing, Kimber nuzzled her chin against the baby’s cheek. Maverick sat on Kimber’s hip and waved to everyone they passed. “He’s such a good baby,” Kimber noted.
“Or good for you,” said Kenzie. “You have that magic touch. I can’t wait to see you with your own one day.”
“No, thanks,” Kimber replied. “I’m good as long as I can hand them back.”
They made their way through the wave of people there for the movie. Pretty soon there wouldn’t be any place for more people to sit. “How are things at the rec center?”
“Great. I posted the flyers for the pageant and got a great sign-up list of people interested in participating or helping in some way. We all like t
hat it’s going to be done at the hospital, having all been there in one fashion or another.”
“Been where?” asked a feminine voice behind them.
“Amelia,” Kimber exclaimed, turning around. Her grip around Maverick’s waist tightened when her aunt reached for the baby. Her feelings were hurt when Maverick leaned all of his body toward Amelia’s waiting hands.
“Told you,” Kenzie said, elbowing her.
Amelia carried on a baby talk conversation with Maverick. “They just don’t realize we have an understanding. You’re always going to come to me. And I will always feed you treats.” Amelia extracted a couple of red and yellow gummy bears from a baggie in the pocket of her green Florida A&M hoodie.
“Amelia.” Kenzie shook her head.
“What? I’m not above bribery,” said Amelia. “Kimber, have you heard from MET yet?”
Almost every second of the day, Kimber pulled her phone out of her pocket to make sure she hadn’t missed a call. She had the ringer turned up high and on vibrate, just to be safe.
“You’re not trying to work for them, are you?” Kenzie asked. The line moved forward.
“If they’ll have me.”
“That sucks.” Kenzie pouted.
“Hey, I work for them, you know,” said Amelia.
“Yeah, and when they call you for a story, you’re off and running.”
Amelia shared a look with Kimber. They understood the excitement of exposing a story.
“That’s the fun of it,” explained Kimber. “You never know what you’re going to find.”
“How about that mystery tiara designer?” Kenzie asked. “Have you solved that one yet?”
It was hard not to roll her eyes. Kimber had decided to not tell anyone about Vin and Philip both copping to being behind the designs. One of them had lied for sure. Hell, both of them could be lying. Kimber still wasn’t sold on either one of them. The tiaras she’d seen were made with careful workmanship. They were pieces of sculpted art.
Christmas with the Billionaire ; A Tiara for Christmas Page 27