Now and Forever (15 page)

Diesel smiled. “Her name’s Bunny. She was just a temporary fix.” He leaned closer and whispered, “I’m a free man.”

A lack of interest washed over her face. “Many women will be glad to know you’re available.”

“But not you.”

“That’s right.”

He straightened. His eyes traveled the length of her body. “You’re one fine woman. I can see why Tanner is obsessed with you.”

She sighed contently. “The feeling is one hundred percent mutual.”

“Lucky man.”

Her heart swelled. Joy sank deep into her bones. She felt breezy.
Unbelievable.
Did Tanner consider
himself
lucky to have her in his life? Kevin had tricked her into believing she was the light of his life.
The apple of his eye.
He had dangled his love like a carrot on a string. No matter how hard she had tried, she hadn’t been able to capture it. Those dark days were behind her now. She was sick and tired of looking through the rearview mirror of her life, reflecting upon what had gone wrong. Time had come for her to look ahead. Words couldn’t describe how liberating it felt to tackle her fears and surrender herself to Tanner’s love, which proved to be more than an illusion. Against all odds, she was prepared to board the Love Boat and sail away from heartache.
For good.

“I’ll holler at you later,” he said, flashing the peace sign.

“Bye.”

As soon as he walked away,
Lorilee
appeared at her side with four total strangers, an attractive woman and three identical men.
Triplets.
“Grace, I’d like you to meet my cousins, the
Wallenbrocks
. This is Zelda, Dash, Dexter and Weston.”

Grace uttered a greeting and extended her hand to them. They were an impressive group. Each had wheat-colored hair and hazel, or bluish-green eyes. Deep dimples dented Zelda’s cheeks when she smiled. She was Grace’s height and wore a black knee-length wraparound dress. Her brothers were another story. They were slightly taller than Tanner. Obviously, Dexter took pride in his physique. He sported tight-fitting black pants and a pullover shirt, which accentuated every muscle. Weston was a little more conservation. It was evident he had paid a pretty penny for his attire—crisp white button-down shirt, navy pants and shiny wingtips.
All business.
Based on his khaki pants and wrinkled striped shirt, Dash probably wasn’t that much into clothes, or appearances. The two-day scruffy beard on his face was a dead giveaway.
“Pleased to meet you all.”

“In the family, my brothers are better known as The Quiet One, The Pretty One and The Boring One,” Zelda said.

Lorilee
added, “Dash is a writer, Dexter is a model. He’s been in many of my fashion shows. Weston owns several hotels and casinos in the Southeast. Zelda is a journalist.”

Grace asked Zelda, “What’s your moniker?”

“The One Who Just Lost Fifty Pounds,” she said with a twirl, showcasing her svelte figure proudly. “Remember, I’ve got first dibs on any sexy red number in my size,” she told
Lorilee
.

Dexter huffed. “I declare, I’m going to deck the next man who hits on you. And the next photo you see of my pretty face will be a mug shot.”

“The only thing pretty about you is your fan club,” Dash sniffed.

“Jealous?” Dexter shot.

Zelda tossed her hands in the air with exasperation. “Grace, do you have overbearing siblings?”

“I’m an only child.” Her spirits deflated somewhat with the admission. Growing up, there had been no one for her to tease or swap secrets with. She had bore the brunt of her mother’s disdain alone. Despite their banter, she could tell the
Wallenbrocks
were a unified and loving family. Their holidays were probably enviable at best.
Flowing warm drinks, laughter, conversation and devotion.
Picture perfect.
Nothing like the silent nights she’d spent with her mother.
Frosty and bleak.

Ava joined the group. Instantly, she sidled up to Weston.
“Hi, handsome.”

“You won’t have any fun with him,” Dexter warned. “He’s a workaholic.”

“Weston, you know what they say about all work and no play,”
Lorilee
said, waving a finger at him.

“Playing doesn’t make me money,” Weston clarified coolly.

“Money can’t keep you warm at night.”

“But my mansion can.”

Ava visibly trembled. She grabbed his arm, “We need to talk.”

Grace shook her head as she watched them walk away. She had to give it to Ava, she definitely had chutzpah. “You go girl,” she thought, giving her best friend a mental thumbs up. If
her
guy ever showed up, she intended to stake her claim on him, too. Tonight, big changes were on the menu. So was a sensual, mouth-watering buttery dessert.

“Dash and Dexter need to hook up with someone so they can get out of my way,” Zelda said.

She had barely gotten the words out of her mouth before a swarm of women surrounded each man. Some even wielded pens and paper, seeking autographs.

Lorilee
said, “They must have seen the latest issue of
GQ
. Dexter is on the cover.”

Zelda sighed. “Maybe their soul mates are in that bunch.” She turned to Grace. “Tanner seems to have done a great job in finding his.
Lorilee
tells me you two are
enga
—“

Lorilee
clamped a hand over her mouth.
“Oh, dear.
Look at the time. The show will be starting soon. Come along, Zelda.”

Alone.
Grace paced the floor. Her restless gaze shifted to the front door, hoping to see Tanner walk through it. What was keeping him? Surely, he wouldn’t miss such an important event. He had marked the date on his calendar. Maybe, he was stuck on the side of the road. Hurt. Horrible images filled her mind. Desperately, she shook them away.

What if he had called?

She reached for her cell phone. Wait, she had left it charging in her office. Meandering through the throngs of people, she made her way towards the hall. Just as she rounded the corner, wringing her hands, she bumped into a couple locked in a passionate embrace.
Kissing.
“Oops. Sorry.” Recognition caused her eyes to widen.
“Diesel.
Lorilee
.”

“We…we were just…”
Lorilee
stammered. “Please don’t tell Tanner.”

“Hey, I didn’t see a thing,” Grace lied.

Lorilee
pushed away from Diesel forcefully. She lost her balance and he caught her in his arms. “Don’t touch me.”

Hurt flickered in his eyes. “Who cares if someone knows that we’re a couple? I’m tired of hiding our relationship.”

“We are not a couple,”
Lorilee
protested. “I haven’t made you any promises.”

“It’s time you did. Tanner must think I’m some
sorta
player. Do you know how many different women I have paraded in front of him just so he wouldn’t catch on to the fact that I’m in love with you? We should make it official. I’m ready.”

“Well, I’m not. Besides, now is not the time, or place, to discuss this matter.”

Grace could practically hear his heart breaking. He stalked past her wordlessly.

Lorilee
shrugged. “He’ll get over it.”

“You were kind of hard on him,” Grace said. “He seems really into you.”

“Don’t go there. You know nothing about our…um…situation. If you’ll excuse me, I’m certain they need me backstage,”
Lorilee
brushed past her.

She continued down the hall, until she reached her office. Tanner would have to find out about his best friend and his sister on his own. Unlike
Lorilee
, she didn’t play matchmaker, or presume to have the power to discern which man and woman were undeniably soul mates. Heck, it had been nearly two seconds ago that she mustered up the courage to accept her feelings for Tanner. She would be damned if she forced another kicking and screaming grown woman to mull over her feelings for a man who cared deeply for her.
Lorilee
told her not to ‘go there’ and she wouldn’t dare cross that line.

Eagerly, she unlocked the door and hurried to her desk. Picking up her phone, she observed its fully charged status. Three missed calls were displayed on the screen. She checked them. None were from Tanner and all were unknown numbers. More crank calls. Lately, she’d been receiving calls at all hours of the day from some nutcase who refused to do anything, except hang up in her ear. Obviously, someone hated her. There were worst
things,
including the torture she endured missing Tanner.

She closed the door and relocked it. Walking through the hallway was laborious. She tried to get it together before she rejoined the crowd. They were in a festive mood and had a lot to celebrate and much to be grateful for. Her sulking would have to wait.

The scene had changed in the front. Lights had been altered from bright to dim. Thunderous applause and cheering erupted. Sage Sweet’s sultry voice floated throughout the building. The first model stepped on stage and all eyes were on her.

*

The entire audience jumped to its feet when
Lorilee
took her final bow. Applause died down. Everyone dispersed. Many guests headed for the wine. Others fell under the spell of Sage Sweet’s mesmerizing voice once she began to croon a jazz standard into the microphone. Couples, and a few individuals flying solo, started to cut a rug.

Grace tapped her foot. She had enjoyed the fashion show. Although
Lorilee’s
attitude was hard to swallow at times, her talent as a designer was indisputable. An array of finely crafted clothing guaranteed to flatter women of all shapes and sizes had been presented. The models had appeared confident and comfortable strutting on the stage. She intended to order a few outfits for herself.

With outstretched arms and tears streaming down her face, Heather rushed toward her.

An older man and woman followed close behind. “Thanks for calling my parents. This is the best gift anyone has ever given me.”

“Same goes for us,” Mr. Hendrix said.

“I thought I would never see my daughter again. Bless you,” Mrs. Hendrix said. She was so overcome with emotions that she held onto her husband for support.

“Glad to help,” Grace said.

Silence ensued. Mr. and Mrs. Hendrix refused to take their eyes off of Heather even when they spoke to Grace. Perhaps, they thought she would disappear. Grief had taken a toll on Mrs. Hendrix. Dark circles framed her eyes. And she was too young to have so much gray hair. The corners of her mouth sagged like she hadn’t lifted them to smile in a very long time. Grace doubt her own mother held the same strong emotions for her. Sometimes she wished…

“Hate to cut the conversation short, but we really want to take our home. Where she belongs,” Mr. Hendrix said, reaching for Heather.

“I understand. Goodbye.” Her spirits elevated.
Better late than never to have a happy ending.
At least one woman from Starting Over would begin a new chapter of her life on a positive note. She wished she could help all of them.

“You’re one special lady,” Dexter said, staring at her with admiration.

“Oh, I didn’t see you. Do you make a habit of sneaking up on people?” she said good-naturedly.

“I just happened to be walking by,” he said. “Tanner must tell me his secret because he hit the jackpot when he met you.”

She blushed. “Praise isn’t necessary.”

“Be still my beating heart. She’s modest, a rare quality nowadays.” He stepped back and made a sweeping bow. “May I have this dance?”

Since her true dance partner was absent, she curtsied and said, “Yes, you may.”

Dexter kept a respectable distance between them. Surprisingly, he was light on his feet. Grace was a bit rusty at first, but quickly got the hang of things. Eons had passed since she last danced. Getting her
mojo
back inspired her to kick up her heels and shake a leg. “Whew!”

“Two stepping must be one of your many talents,” he said. “If Tanner doesn’t watch his back, I might steal you away from him.”