She's Got Dibs (45 page)

The view inside the full length mirror was ideal…for Halloween. Black mascara lines dribbled down both cheeks, hair lank and hanging in clumps past her shoulders, silk suit stuck to places that should never be seen in public…Yep, she was a train wreck. She snagged a floral knee-length skirt and green scoop-neck blouse from the closet and sloshed to the bathroom. After a cursory repair of most of the damage, she pulled the battery from her cell and left both pieces drying on a towel. A quick straightening of her blouse and…

She gasped and clapped a hand to her wrist. The diamond bracelet. It was gone!

Shit!
The pool!

She fled the room and raced for the elevator.

She tapped a nervous finger against her leg, waiting for the doors to open. Dibs appeared in the hall, the lock clicking into the latch behind him. Her breath caught. A pair of dark jeans encased his muscled thighs, a fitted, gray T-shirt stretched taut over the chiseled planes of his chest. She clasped her wrist with her free hand and studied the ceiling. Hopefully he wouldn’t notice…at least, not until she dove headfirst back into the water.

He smiled. “Going back to the main building?”

“Yep.”

He faced the elevator. “You look very pretty for someone who just got fished out of the drink.”

“Thank you.” She tightened the grip on her wrist, rocking on her heels.

He squinted at her from the corner of his eye. “Although, something seems different. Did you change your hair?”

“Ponytail.” She nodded.

“No, no. That’s not it.”

“Well, other than my clothes, that’s all I’ve changed.”

He withdrew from her and crossed his arms, brow furrowed. He twirled a finger in the air. “Turn around.”

“Excuse me?”

“Something’s missing, but I can’t figure out what it is.”

Her shoulders fell. He’d found the bracelet. This whole time he had it and was teasing her.

The elevator bell rang, and the doors slid open. She skimmed the empty car, and when she refocused on Dibs, a row of diamonds sparkled in the air, one end of the bracelet pinched in his fingertips. “Does this belong to you?”

Her response lodged in her throat. Truth be told, she didn’t know whether the bracelet
did
still belong to her. But continuing on without it, everything those jewels once symbolized—her heart quaked at the thought.

Warm tears rushed in before she could stop them.

The amusement faded from his face, and he lowered his hand.

Far off in the distance children played, their laughter echoing through the hall, as innocent and pure as the sun. Her breath hitched against a mounting swell of remorse.
Don’t cry…don’t cry…

But her heart wouldn’t listen. A bloated tear tumbled over her lashes and coursed down her cheek. “I’m…not sure,” she whispered.

“I’m sorry.” He captured her hand, fastened the clasp around her wrist. “Here, don’t cry. This bracelet will always be yours, Tessa.”

She pressed her trembling fingertips to her lips, containing a sob. “I wish you’d stop apologizing. Everything was my fault to begin with, remember?”

He flipped her hand over, cradled it in his palm, opened her curled fingers, and swept a lazy circle along the creases with the ball of his thumb. Heat radiated up her arm, warming the pit of her stomach.

“Not everything was your fault. Looking back, I really wish I’d done things differently.”

Her heart fluttered like a trapped bird in her chest. No, no, he’d done everything right. “Please, don’t say that.”

A harsh breath burst from his lips as he shook his head. “But if I hadn’t come on so strong maybe you wouldn’t have gotten scared. Maybe you wouldn’t have gone back to him. I should have given you more time. I should have—”

“Stop it.” She grasped his hand, tugging it close to her body. Another tear wet her lashes. “You were the best thing that ever happened to me, Dibs.” She cupped his cheek, staring straight into his eyes. “
The. Best. Thing
. Do you understand?”

She held a breath as he searched her face. His arm coiled around her waist, brought her to his chest, and she soaked in the warmth of his body. Too long. They’d been apart too damn long.

“God, Tessa, I miss you so much. And it’s all I can do right now not to beg you to come back to me.”

In that moment, she didn’t care if anything had happened between Dibs and Margaret. If he had sought solace with another, his actions were a direct result of what she had done to him. How could she hold that against him? What right did she have to judge? Because in the end, their time apart made no difference. All that mattered was she had finally returned to his arms, and she never, ever wanted to leave again.

Words rushed to escape her throat. She suddenly couldn’t wait to tell him everything. How she was ready to let go her fears that their relationship might fail or he might one day leave. How it was her fault they ended at this place, and all the lies she had told to try and save him. That if he asked, without a moment’s hesitation, she would throw caution to the wind, relinquish all her control, and let his love guide her the rest of her days.

Because she finally understood.

True love was meant to be experienced with the whole heart. It deserved to be celebrated and flaunted, to be shouted and danced over. It needed to be free of constraints and worry, trusted and believed in. True love was meant be fought for, regardless of the obstacles, or the past, or whatever the future might hold.

She needed Dibs to know. Even if he became angry, even if he decided what she had done was unforgiveable. But before one more word passed between them, before she chanced his resentment and forgiveness, while she stood in his arms, his face a mere breath from hers, she wanted one last kiss.

She leaned in, knees trembling, longing to taste him like she had so many times before.

“I should warn you.” He dropped his gaze to her parted lips. “If you’re planning to kiss me, I’m not sure I’ll be able to stop.”

“Good.” She slid her hands up his shoulders, pressed on the nape of his neck.

“This is a really bad idea,” he breathed. He swept his mouth lightly across hers, and a million brilliant fireflies took flight in her stomach. He slowly withdrew, but his arms cinched her waist, crushing her breasts to his chest.

A thrill washed her body. He was hard against her. Steady and strong. She wanted more, went forward a second time, and urged him down to her waiting lips. His fingers tangled in her hair, tilted her head back…

The elevator chimed. Dibs stiffened beneath her as the doors slid open. Michael and Caroline waited inside, standing side by side. Caroline locked onto the two of them, her bright smile plumping her cheeks. Michael suddenly grew fascinated with his feet.

Dibs dropped his arms and withdrew, footfalls heavy, legs stiff. He deeply inhaled and raked a hand through his hair.

Disappointment surged through the bitter ache in her chest, the loss of his warm embrace, the promise of his kiss. They’d been so close, and so much remained to be said. She stutter-stepped in his direction.

Michael cleared his throat. “Sorry to interrupt, but I heard you were looking for me.”

“Of course.” Dibs retreated another step. “Excuse me.”

Michael frowned past the closing doors. Caroline placed her hand on the side and pushed, forcing them open.

“No, not Tessa. I heard
you
were looking for me.” He pointed at Dibs.

“Oh, yes.” Dibs nodded. “I forgot.”

The annoying buzz of the elevator alarm detonated at regular intervals, and Caroline waved Tessa onto the car. “Come here,” she mouthed.

Tessa peeked askance at Dibs and entered, brushing past Michael as he stepped into the hall. Caroline released her grip, the alarm went silent, and the doors eased shut.

“Wait.” Tessa jammed on the side, catching Dibs’s eye. “I need to speak with you. It’s important.”

He frowned. “Okay.”

She nodded and removed her hand, glancing between the two men past the closing doors. She jabbed the button for the bottom floor. “Nice timing, Caroline.”

Lashes fluttering, she teased, “You were kissing.”

“Not really. Did you miss the part when you interrupted us?”

“Well, I tried to call, but your voice mail answered.”

“Oh, right. Well, what did you want?”

“I asked Mother about Margaret and she said they nev—”

“It doesn’t matter.” Tessa held up a hand. The elevator binged and the doors slid open. “I know what I need to do.”

****

Her back to the main bar in the Crystal Ballroom, Tessa sifted through the black tuxedos, the beautiful gowns as one after another charming couple entered the room. Under normal circumstances, she would have been heartened by the guest’s wide-eyed awe, their smiles and gasps of astonishment. But not tonight. Tonight no matter what beauty graced the outside, inside, a resonating death knell tolled with each beat of her heart.

The stunning elegance of the room had made designing the romantic atmosphere a simple task. Etched crystal vases sprouted an abundance of cream roses, their perfume saturating the air with a heady bouquet. The muted strands of a concerto ascended skyward from a corner string quartet, the perfect accompaniment above hundreds of flickering white candles. Tiny white lights twinkled like stars, illuminating the outside tents, as if the night sky were their honored guest, and floating white candles drifted a leisurely path across the reflecting pool.

Without a doubt, she stood in the most exquisite place in the world. And she couldn’t have cared less.

Tiffany lifted a warning brow as she crossed the room, her entire gown shimmering with silver sequins when she stopped beside Tessa. “Can the sour grapes.” She nodded, smiling pleasantly when a large group entered.

“I can’t help it.” Tessa’s painted smile tightened her cheeks, as if she’d submersed her face in plastic.

“You don’t know that he’s left for good.” Tiffany waved to Mrs. Henderson, acknowledging the older woman’s approval when she beamed and placed a hand on her chest.

“As I see it, one of two things happened.” Tessa traded acknowledgments with Ms. Kramer, her chestnut hair hanging gracefully over the straps of her deep emerald dress. “Michael told Dibs everything, he got angry, and left—”

Tiffany rolled her eyes.

“Or, Dibs figured it out on his own, he got angry, and left.” The intricate beading on her bodice bit into her palm when she clamped a hand over her knotted stomach.

“You don’t know that, Tessa.”

“Either way, he’s gone. If Dibs wasn’t upset, he would have come to me. Now it’s too late. He’s probably furious…and I can’t say I blame him.”

“I hate to say this, but I told—”

“Then do me a favor and don’t.” She toyed with the diaphanous tiers of her gown.

“You’re frowning again, and here are the Brenners.” Tiffany nodded in their direction and pushed off from the bar. “Cheer up, Tessa. Everything looks perfect…including you.”

Caroline trailed closely behind her mother and father, hair pinned in an elaborate cascade of blonde coils, shoulders bare over her strapless crimson gown. She grinned and started in Tessa’s direction, but was intercepted by a handsome young man, who was swiftly joined by another, and then another.

They all vied for her attention, until she politely demurred and continued to the bar. “My God, you look gorgeous. Silver becomes you.”

“Dibs left for good, didn’t he?”

“What?” An incredulous laugh burst from her throat. She quickly placed a fingertip to her lips. “No…uh, wait…I don’t know.” She faced the bartender. “White wine, please.”

Tessa shot practice darts at the side of her face. “I swear to God, Caroline, if Marcus has another disaster planned,
I’ll
be the one leaving.”

“Marcus has nothing planned.” She flipped her hand. “And neither have I.”

“Then would you please tell me what the hell is going on? Dibs and Marcus have been MIA since this afternoon. And spare me the innocent eyes, Caroline, I know something catastrophic is about to happen.”

“You need to relax, Rex. Here”—she slid the wineglass along the bar—“have a drink.”

The mischievous sparkle in her eyes strained Tessa’s very last nerve. “You’re really irritating. Has anyone ever told you that?”

She tipped her head from side to side. “On occasion.”

The lights flickered.

Tessa filled her lungs and exhaled a despairing sigh. “I feel like I just took a punch to the guts, and now I have to address the troops.”

Caroline squeezed her arm. “Good luck.”

With a dismal shake of her head, Tessa wove through the crowd to the podium. She clicked on the microphone and waited as the guests found their seats.

The door swung wide and Marcus entered, centering his black tuxedo jacket on his shoulders, and rushed for the Brenner table. She held a breath. If he was back, then maybe Dibs had also returned. But the door bumped closed behind him and remained that way.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.” She leaned into the microphone, forcing a smile. “It’s my pleasure to welcome you to the annual Brenner Financial Group Awards Ceremony and Dinner.”

A warm round of applause effervesced up to the high ceiling.

“Dinner will commence in a few moments, followed immediately by the awards ceremony. We will remain in this room for dancing, with dessert and coffee—” Movement at the main entrance scattered the rest of her sentence. Dibs leaned against the threshold, one hand resting in the pocket of his black tuxedo, the other holding a single white rose. He smiled when their eyes met across the distance.

Tessa’s heart performed a triple back handspring in her chest. Her knees faltered. She seized the podium, riveted to Dibs, everything else fading to dim shadow by comparison.

The man wasn’t just smiling, he was positively
glowing
.

Someone cleared their throat.

She tore her focus away and scanned the crowd. Tiffany stepped forward, twirling a hand in the air. Tessa’s deep inhalation into the microphone whirred and bounced along the marble floor.