Chapter 19

Dawn

Getting out of the shower, I wrapped myself in a big, fluffy white robe. Maybe I could wear this for the rest of the day. I didn’t feel like getting back into my clothes. But when I went to get dressed they were gone. In their place was the leather halter dress I had been ogling and knee-high black lace-up boots. I noticed there wasn’t any underwear except for silk knee-highs that the boots would cover.

The dress was a buttery soft black leather that fit like a dream. I remembered the price tag and had to swallow back tears. I could put down a month’s rent and a month’s security on an apartment for what this dress cost. Or buy six of Destiny’s oil paintings.

Pushing away Jeannine’s suggestion to ask Rory for a loan or a gift and use it to get an apartment, I wiggled my toes in the silk stockings. I was almost out of the woods. I would pull this off without his help. But I wouldn’t give up this dress or these boots, because I would never again have the chance to own them.

I walked out of the massage room a little sad to leave it, but eager to see what was next. I was greeted by a woman in black, who said her name was Jess. She handed me a shopping bag that had my clothes folded neatly inside. I was glad I wore my good underwear that Rory bought me.

“I’m here to see about your hair and makeup,” Jess said. “What would you like?”

“The works.” I had sweated off most of my makeup, and the shower took care of anything that might have lingered.

“Mr. Parker said he had some business to take care of and for you to enjoy yourself and take all the time you need. Would you like a manicure and a pedicure?”

“Why not?” This was starting to feel like a vacation. I picked a vibrant purple for my nails and relaxed in the massage chair once I arranged myself so I wasn’t doing a Sharon Stone to the rest of the boutique. I texted Jeannine and she said Bridgette hadn’t called her, so she assumed everything was going just fine at the store. I wondered if Rory was also checking in on the stores in Haven. I hoped everything was all right with his sister.

I asked Jess questions about the product, and she offered to give me a bunch of samples to try. I could really see this taking off in Tantric Books. I was already picturing moving my front display of art books and replacing it with the sets of body lotion, shower gel, and perfume. I could even match the fragrances with a book to make a nice gift set.

“What should I do about your hair? Would you like a trim and touch-up on the color?”

I realized that I didn’t have enough on my credit card to pay for all of this. Hell, I didn’t think I had enough to pay for the tips. I wasn’t sure how to ask without being crass. “Did Mr. Parker have an opinion?” I asked. “After all he’s paying for this, right?”

I winced. That was a little heavy-handed, but I had to know if I had to hit the ATM and borrow from my savings.

Jess waved her hand. “He has an account with us. He won’t mind you pampering yourself. It’s all being covered.”

A terrible thought hit me. What if this was just something he did for everyone? Was this only over-the-top special to me because I was such a yokel? “Does he brings a lot of his clients here?”

Jess looked thoughtful. “I don’t think clients, but his mother and his coworkers get treated here frequently.”

I just barely refrained myself from asking if there were any girlfriends. “I’d love a trim and touch-up.” What the hell, in for a penny in for a pound.

By the time I was done, they told me that Rory was in the lobby waiting for me. I had been plucked and groomed within the inch of my life. I liked the foundation and lipstick they put on me, and I had a little bag full of different colors. They made me look like a rock star with the heavy makeup and I felt like I could take on the world.

The expression on Rory’s face was priceless when I strutted out to see him. “Well, Professor Higgins?” I twirled in front of him.

“I’ve grown accustomed to your face,” he said, quoting from My Fair Lady.

He was wearing a black tuxedo and looked enough like James Bond that I melted against him when he kissed me. Thanking the staff, Rory took my arm and whisked me back to the limo. “You look gorgeous. That dress was made for you.”

“Thank you. I love it. I don’t mean to look a gift horse in the mouth, but you forgot underwear.”

“I didn’t forget.” He helped me inside the limo and followed me inside.

I laughed. It figured. “Where are going to dinner?”

He handed me an invitation. We were going to a formal dinner at The Ritz-Carlton to honor Senator Crenshaw, some politician I’ve never heard of. “The outfit was a bribe to get you to go with me to this boring affair. I’ve got to make an appearance, but I figure we can fill up on appetizers and free booze and leave before the speeches start.”

“Sounds like a waste of a dress and a tuxedo.” I crossed my legs, giving him a quick peek.

“It’s not a waste at all,” he said. “How was your spa day?”

I smiled. “I was spoiled and pampered. I can’t wait to go through all these samples.”

"For the Fourth of July celebrations, what do you think about setting up some massage chairs and feature ten-minute massages for a dollar a minute? That will pay for the masseuses. They'll bring their own chairs, but they use your products. Warming oil, creams, etc."

"So are you thinking of branding my store as a place to be pampered?" I took a glass of champagne from him. I really, really liked champagne.

"Not exactly. You’re still all over the place. Empowering books, exclusive lotions, local artwork and statues, and other sexy things. I think we can form this into something cohesive, but we're going to have to change the name."

I knew there was a catch. "What's wrong with Tantric Books?"

"It screams sex."

"Tantric isn't just about sex. It's about meditation and finding your place in the world."

"For the unenlightened it's about Sting having marathon sex sessions with his wife without Viagra."

"It is a play on words."

“What do you want to be your main product?”

“Books,” I said immediately. “The rest is a way to make rent.”

“All right then. Let’s think up a store name that says high-end, exclusive products, but with a local flair.” Rory typed into his phone. “I can get my marketing team on this.”

I saw dollar bills. “No, we can do this ourselves. Just let me think about it.”

"What about Hard Cover?"

"I sell paperbacks."

"Maybe you can expand to bring in some coffee table books. The really pretty expensive ones."

"Are you trying to make me and my store over into something I’m not?" I gestured to the dress. “I’m not high end. I’m low maintenance.”

He choked on his champagne. “I’m not sure you have the correct definition for low maintenance.”

“I know the store has to change. I’m coming around to that. When I see too much change, I’m afraid it’s because I’m not good enough.”

"Nonsense. You’re not changing so much as evolving. It’s time to bring the store to the next level. And just the store. Not you. I love you just the way you are."

I caught my breath, but he didn't seem to think he said anything out of the ordinary. Meanwhile, my world just tilted on its axis. Love? My heart pounded in my chest. Jack hadn’t used the L-word. I can’t remember the last time I even heard it.

"However, the town of Haven does not see a difference between you and the store. We’re not changing you, but if we change the store, we might just change their attitudes. If this goes well, you can renew your lease when it expires in five years."

“Do you think Larry will go for it?”

“I think so. They don’t see how popular your store is. How much of a town staple it has become to the local women.”

Aside from the “love” comment, that was the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me. I felt a little piece of my heart become his. Please, please don’t be fucking around with me.

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a business card. “Here’s the name of the distributor. If you order this week, you should get your shipment by Monday.”

Slipping it inside my purse, I saw his eyes narrow. “What?”

“Shit, I forgot to get you a purse.”

“It’s fine,” I said. I was still in a daze from his powerful words.

“Would you like a Louis Vuitton or a Chanel?”

“Seriously, Rory. I don’t need another purse.” After all the money he spent on me today, I couldn’t possibly accept another gift. His words had been gift enough.

He snapped his fingers. “Fendi.”

“You’re too generous. It makes me a little uncomfortable. That’s not what this is about.”

“Why not?” He shrugged. “I’ve got the money and I like spending it on you.”

I had to look away out the window. It would be so easy to tell him about not having a place to live. But what if that made things weird between us? What if he insisted I live with him? I couldn’t live with him after only dating a few weeks. Then again, what if he didn’t ask?

“I appreciate your kindness,” I said. “But please don’t buy me any more gifts.”

“Too late.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a long rectangular jewelry box.

“Rory,” I whispered.

He opened it up to reveal a diamond necklace.

“I can’t.” I backed away from it, as if it would bite me.

“I want you to wear it. Ever since I saw it, I’ve been fantasizing about you wearing it and nothing else.”

He knew just what to say to make me laugh.

“Now come here and let me put it on you.”

Sitting down next to him, instead of across from him, I let him put the necklace around my neck. I wasn’t used to the weight of the necklace and I toyed with it. “It’s beautiful, thank you.”

“Thank me later when I give you the matching nipple clips and chain to attach to it,” he whispered in my ear.

Shivers trailed over my spine. He kissed my ear and my neck. His hand cupped my breast. “It’s going to be an interesting ride home.”

I turned to him. “You’re bluffing.”

He reached into his pocket and dropped two diamond clamps into my hand and then pooled a silver chain on top of them. My breathing quickened.

“If you’re ready for that.”

I was more than ready for it. I forced myself to hand them back to him. “How long is the drive home?”

“At least two hours,” he said with a low, evil chuckle.

I was still buzzing with excitement over his dirty little surprise when we walked into The Ritz-Carlton. “If this dress allowed it, I’d wear the nipple clamps right now,” I whispered in his ear.

Rory stifled a groan. “Killing me,” he said. Placing his hand on my back, he led me into the ballroom and introduced me to a few people.

I should have been prepared for the stares and the whispers, but I hadn’t been. Silly me, I was happy. I should have known that wouldn’t last. I pretended not to see them. I threw my head back and focused entirely on Rory, but deep down I knew I didn’t belong among all these rich, elitist snobs.

At least Rory didn’t seem to be concerned. All his attention was directly on me and I was so flattered. It felt like he was showing me off, that he was proud of me, and I wasn’t sure how to take it. For the most part, people were nice after they got over their shock. I was on my best behavior. I owed it to Rory not to embarrass him in front of his friends, but I was so uncomfortable. This wasn’t my scene and it never would be.

After a quick circle of the room, Rory steered me toward the appetizer buffet. He piled on a plethora of goodies and was feeding me bacon-wrapped dates when I saw two douche bags sauntering over to us.

“Take these crab puffs,” Rory said. “They’re all right. But they’re nothing like Hans’ catered ones. You could taste the butter in the crust and the filling. It wasn’t quite cream cheese, wasn’t quite crème fraîche. I don’t know. And I never will, because Hans is no longer speaking to me.”

“Seriously? Between the crab puff bitching and the metrosexual massage, you’re never going to be a badass real estate mogul in my mind ever again,” I said, chewing on the date. Sometimes Rory worried about the wrong fucking thing. Who gave a shit about the crab puffs? We were about to get the third degree by J. Crew models.

“I’ll show you a badass tonight.” He leaned in and said in my ear, “I’ll paddle that luscious ass of yours bright red and put that smart mouth to good use.”

“Hey, Rory.” A country club lady and gentlemen took that moment to catch up with him.

I was half in Rory’s arms trying not to swoon at his last remark, and he turned to them in annoyance. They looked straight off the boat, if the boat was a fifty-foot yacht. She was dressed in a white and gold gown with a shawl that trailed over her arms and spilled onto the floor. He was in a tuxedo, but unlike Rory he didn’t look like a secret agent. He looked like he had a stick up his ass.

“Sully, good to see you.” Rory reluctantly let me go and shook hands with the man and air kissed the woman’s cheeks. “Felicity, you look radiant.”

“Who’s your friend?” Felicity asked, her white teeth flashing as her eyes locked on my hair. “Is that your natural color?” she asked, pretending to be curious.

“This is my girlfriend, Dawn Nolan. Dawn, Felicity Powers and her fiancé, Sully Roghers.”

“Of the Newport Roghers.” Sully held out his hand and I shook it.

“Nice to meet you,” I lied.

“Where did you two meet? A bowling alley?” Felicity said with a wink.

Rory glared at her.

“Rory is working in my hometown, renovating the area by our docks,” I cut in. I didn’t want to cause a scene. “Where did he meet you guys? Prep school? The yacht club?” Some other rich snobby place?

Felicity shook her head and laughed. “We go back so far I can’t even remember. Our parents are best friends. Have you met them?”

“I’ve met his father on several occasions and his sister, Cammy, but I haven’t had a chance to meet his mom.”

At the mention of Cammy’s name, they shifted uncomfortably. “How is your sister?” Sully asked.

“Better. She’s out of the coma.”

“Kendrick didn’t mention it.” Felicity looked over her shoulder.

“I didn’t realize he was here,” Rory said. “If you’ll excuse us, I’d like to introduce him to Dawn.”

I let him lead me away. “Bye, Felicia.”

“Felicity,” Rory corrected.

“If you say so.”

Felicity was already on her phone.

“I hope she doesn’t get you in trouble with your parents.”

“I’m a grown man. What are they going to do? Send me to bed without supper?” Rory leaned in and kissed me. I swore I heard Felicity’s camera click. “I’d go hungry for you.” He kissed me again for good measure.

I decided if he wasn’t going to worry about it neither would I. Putting my arm around him, I walked with him over to a tall blond man who was in a heated discussion about the Second Amendment with another blond man.

“Hey, this is a party,” Rory said. “Leave the lawyer talk at home.”

The two men turned to him with sheepish grins. Then they looked at me, and the familiar shock crossed their features before they schooled them into pleasant masks. Yup, tongue ring, purple hair, and a bad attitude. Kiss my leather-clad ass.

“Dawn, this is my brother-in-law, Kendrick Simmonds, and his brother, Dominic. Guys, this is my girl, Dawn Nolan.”

“It’s nice to meet you. I had the pleasure of spending some time with Cammy when she came into my store.”

“You . . . you did?” Dominic said, shooting Kendrick a look.

Kendrick nodded. “We don’t want to get our hopes up, but the preliminary reports have been better than they have been in the past.”

“Why didn’t you return my call?” Rory asked.

Pushing his glasses up his nose, Kendrick gave him a tight smile. “I’m sorry. I’ve been busy.”

“Have you been up to see her?” I asked.

Rory winced.

“I’m not allowed,” Kendrick said.

“But you’re her husband.” I looked at Rory, who jammed his hands into his pockets.

“It’s complicated,” Rory said.

“It’s not that complicated,” Dominic butted in. “Old man Parker arranged the marriage to his little princess. It’s a marriage in name only.”

“Oh.” I was mortified. If the floor opened up and swallowed me right now it would be a blessing. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”

“It’s okay,” Kendrick said. “Excuse Dom, he can be a little blunt when he’s being overprotective. I’ve been asked to stay away until her memory solidifies. The doctors feel that the less stress or stimulation the better at this time. Cam has her parents and her brother to take care of her for now. When she’s on the road to recovery, then there will be time for Spence and me.”

“Who’s Spence?” I asked.

“Our son.” Kendrick showed me a picture of a cute little boy.

“He has your eyes,” I said, trying to hide my shock. I hadn't known Cammy was a mother.

Kendrick smiled.

“We should get going.” Rory took my elbow. “Kendrick, let’s schedule lunch sometime next week. Dominic, go bugger yourself.”

“Rory,” I gasped as he led me away.

Luckily, Dominic just laughed.

“That was hella rude.”

He gave me a twisted smile. “I didn’t like the princess remark he made about Cammy.”

“Why did your dad arrange her marriage? It sounds like something my father would do.”

“She was pregnant. And Kendrick was looking to fast track to partner. He’s not Spence’s biological father.”

I felt sick to my stomach, and I didn’t think it was because of the dates. “Oh no,” I moaned.

“It’s okay,” he said. “I should have told you. I was just pissed he hadn’t returned my phone calls.

"Can we get out of here?" I hated the feeling that everyone was looking at us.

"I think that can be arranged," he said.

"Let me just run to the ladies’ room first." If I was right, I would have company when the mean girls flocked in. If I was wrong, I was prepared to be pleasantly surprised. But if I left now without setting the record straight with some of these assholes, I’d be depressed all night, and Rory didn’t deserve that.

"Text me when you're done, and I'll meet you outside by the limo. It'll save you the trouble of coming to find me."

Or would it save him from explaining why he was with a girl like me? "Sure." I turned on my heel and walked out of the ballroom. In the relative quiet of the hallway, I felt like I could breathe again. I followed the signs to the ladies’ room and waited inside the stall.

Within five minutes, three women in clackety heels walked in. I flushed and came out of the stall to see them fixing their flawless hair and makeup.

"Excuse me," I said, angling for a position by the sink to wash my hands.

“‘One of these things is not like the others,’” I sang to myself while looking at us in the mirror.

"You're Rory's . . . date," a cute redhead dressed in an emerald green dress said. She crossed her arms over her chest.

"And you are?" I dried my hands on a paper towel.

"You don't think he's serious about you," a statuesque blonde wearing a crimson sheath chimed in.

I waggled my tongue ring at her.

They gaped at me.

The other blonde, who was wearing a little black dress, sneered. "You look like a thug."

"I'm not. And it’s a good thing too. Because if I was, I would have given Freckles here"—I pointed at the redhead—"a swirly Q. Then, I would have given LBD over here a wedgie." I jerked my thumb at the blonde in the black dress. "And would it be pantsed or dressed?" I cocked my head. "Whatever, I would've tugged that sheath of yours to your knees and kicked you out of the bathroom."

"That's—"

"Juvenile? High schoolish behavior? Yeah, so is what you're doing here. Let me clear the air. Rory and I are having fantastic sex. Like we're going at it like sex-starved monkeys. We're happy. I don't care if he took you to the prom. Or if you blew him during high school. Or if you always had plans on being Mrs. Rory Parker. That's all on you. He's leaving with me tonight, and not giving any of you a second thought."

"You don't belong here," the redhead snarled.

"And I'm thankful for that, because you people disgust me."

"We disgust you?" LBD asked, flipping her hair.

"Yeah, all this money, and the only way you're happy is when you tear someone down. Imagine what you could accomplish if you used your powers for good."

"Hear! Hear!" a voice said from a stall.

Crap. That was a rookie mistake. I should have checked all the stalls. There was another flush and out stepped . . . my mother?

"Oh no," I said.

"I thought I recognized your voice, dear," she said, moving toward the sink.

"What are you doing here?" I cried.

"The shrimp didn't agree with me."

"Is Dad here?"

"Oh yes, he drags me to these things every chance he gets." My mother looked up from washing her hands. "You three should go back to the party before I decide to have words with your mothers about how she brought you up."

"And who the hell are you?" LBD asked.

The redhead pulled her arm. "That's Judge Nolan's wife."

"And daughter." My mother jerked her thumb in my direction.

The girls fled.

"Why are they so afraid of a judge who lives in Connecticut?" I crossed my arms and leaned against the sink.

"He's a very large donor to a lot of their parents' causes."

I looked up at the ceiling. "Sooooo, how much of that did you hear?"

"Did Mr. Monkey Sex give you that necklace?"

I cringed. "It's not what it looks like."

"Rory Parker, huh? The first selectman's son?"

"Yeah."

"The one who is redoing all the stores, including yours?"

"Yup." I was considering throwing Stephanie and her open marriage under the bus to get my mother's laser focus off me, but that didn't seem fair.

"I thought you were dating that . . . musician."

She said musician like most people said cockroach.

"We broke up."

"I approve of your new boyfriend."

"Why?" I sneered. "Because he's rich?"

"Because he treats you better than that punk rocker you were shacked up with."

He did, but she didn't know that. "You've never even met Rory."

"He took you to meet his friends and colleagues here. He bought you expensive jewelry, and he must have been attentive to have those jealous cats corner you in here."

"I like him," I admitted in a soft voice. "A lot. But we're too different."

"So tell him to get a piercing or a tattoo."

"What?" I laughed, trying to picture it.

"You're not as different as you pretend to be. You both grew up in the same town. You just like standing out in a crowd and being a rebel."

"I fight for what I believe in."

"That must be awfully exhausting."

I let out a long breath. It was.

"We haven't seen you for a while. You should come and visit. I would be nice to have a conversation with my daughter that doesn't take place in a hotel bathroom."

"It's The Ritz-Carlton. We're practically in a drawing room. I half expect a waiter to come by with a tray of drinks."

"We shouldn’t have to meet two hours from home when we live in the same town. Your father misses you."

"Dad didn't see me, did he?" I self-consciously tugged my dress down, uncomfortably aware I wasn't wearing underwear.

"You didn't hear a loud bellow, did you?"

"Nope."

"Why don't we go and say hello to him. You know he won't cause a scene in public."

I'd rather go round two with the mean girls. "Actually, Rory and I were just leaving."

"Why don't you bring him over for dinner next Friday?"

"No. Hell no. No. I don't think that's a good idea."

She continued to look at me.

"We're not at the meeting-the-parents stage yet," I said, and tried not to run out the door. She was hot on my heels, though, as we left the bathroom.

"What is the stage after hot monkey sex?"

I shushed her and looked around. "Can you forget you heard that?"

"I don't think I could. How serious is it between the two of you?"

"It's not," I said. "It's a summer fling."

My mother narrowed her eyes. "Men don't give necklaces like that to summer flings. I want him over for dinner. Don't make me have your father call his father."

"That's ridiculous," I hissed. "You wouldn't dare."

"Try me." She raised her eyebrow at me, and I knew she wasn’t bluffing.