by Piper Lawson
“Wow,” Ava said, stepping into electric green stiletto sandals that added inches to her tiny height. “You’re the hottest sad person ever.” She flipped her hair behind her ears to fix on giant dangling mirrors that formed pyramids hanging nearly to her shoulders before crossing to me, squeezing my arm in reassurance. “It will be work out, Lex. I promise.”
Jordan materialized from her room wearing a simple nude shift dress. Her mass of hair was barely tamed in an elastic. She started to put on flat sandals, but when Ava grabbed one and threw it across the room, threatening that the other one would go down the garbage disposal, Jordan grudgingly switched them for heels.
When we arrived at the party, our names were still somehow on the list. The party was hosted by the magazine and held in a two-story up-and-coming club that had been rented out for the night. The vibe was modern, a contrast to the hall earlier today though just as upscale. Mirrors ran the length of one side, and the metal light fixtures hanging from the ceiling looked more like abstract art than chandeliers.
It was lost on me. I felt like curling into a ball in the corner.
We were barely inside the front door when Kirsten grabbed us.
“There you ladies are.” Maybe she hadn’t noticed our exit earlier. Small mercies. “Your bags were a hit. There’s someone I want to introduce you to…”
“You guys go ahead,” Jordan said, trying to peel away. She wasn’t one to make small talk with strangers. Or with anyone, for that matter.
Ava latched onto her before she could disappear. “I see free cocktails. Lex, this is for you, remember? You got this.”
Even though it was the last thing I felt like doing, I forced myself to follow Kirsten to a small crowd gathered around the woman herself.
Elle Duchesne was gorgeous. But, like the models, she was quirky too. Dark, straight hair was nearly jet in color. Her blue eyes sparkled with humor.
Kirsten introduced us and Elle smiled. “Excuse us,” she said to the others, steering me away from the crowd.
I begged my brain to work, but it felt like all thinking had ground to a halt. “Um. Your work is amazing. The whole concept for the show today … I’d love to hear more about it.”
“It’s too bad you didn’t stay for the entire show.”
Her words jarred me out of my haze. I squeezed my eyes shut. “I’m so sorry. This is beyond humiliating. It’s just—it’s a long story, and an even longer day.”
The sound of tinkling laughter had me blinking. “It happens. I trust you’ll tell me that story sometime.” Elle cocked her head, sending silver earrings dancing in the light. “Kirsten said you’re looking to learn more about global branding. I’ve seen your work. It’s impressive. I had planned to get to know you more before deciding, but I rely on instinct, and I can already tell that I like you. Working with me isn’t easy and I don’t offer this lightly. Not because I am a big, important person. Because I am a private person.”
I blew out a long breath. “That would be incredible. More incredible than I can possibly express right now. But,” I swallowed, “I do have one request.”
~
“He looks like a taxidermist.”
Jordan held up her hand. “Colton is not a taxidermist. And what does that even mean?”
“I don’t know. He holds his mouth in this really straight line. Something about him just says, ‘I love to stuff raccoons. And maybe kill them first.’”
When I found my way back to the girls, Ava was sipping on a drink at the bar and grilling Jordan about the guy she was seeing, the one who’d been at the baseball game.
“He’s a manager at one of my dad’s companies and I’ve known him since high school. Pretty sure he hasn’t killed any animals. Or stuffed them, for that matter.”
“Does Creepy Colt make you want to drop your panties?” Ava challenged.
Jordan shoved the long mess of dirty blond hair over her shoulder. “Boundaries.”
Ava shook her head. “Fuck boundaries. You guys aren’t meant to be. Don’t fall for it. Come on, Jordan. You need a cool guy.”
“Why?”
“Arm candy,” Ava said decisively. “I can’t imagine dating a guy who doesn’t wear a suit.”
Despite the fact that talking about guys was the last thing I wanted, I shot my friend a look. “Before last year, you wouldn’t have gone near a guy like Nate.”
“True. But the uptight ones mean you can have fun unwinding them.”
“Unwinding, huh?”
The voice made me turn in time to see Nate just behind me, looking perfect in a navy jacket and dress pants, his tie an aqua that matched his eyes.
“Suit. What are you doing here?”
He lifted his square chin. “I’m done being in the dog house. You can be as mad as you want. It’s not my problem.”
Ava slid off her stool and crossed to him, standing on her toes to kiss him. His eyebrows shot up, but in no time he was pulling her hard against him and slanting his mouth over hers. “This mean I’m off the hook for getting your brother drunk and going behind your back?” he murmured after he pulled back.
“Getting there.”
Watching them together was sweet, but it caused a pang in my chest. Jordan didn’t miss a thing, her eyes narrowing just a little.
“I think I’m going to go,” I said lightly.
“You sure? We didn’t hear about your conversation with Elle,” Jordan commented.
I shook my head. “It’s good news, but I think I’m just tired from the last few days. I’ll fill you guys in tomorrow, OK?”
“Want us to come with?” Ava asked, concerned.
“No. You guys stay, I’m fine. I actually think I might go to the park for a bit.”
“Text me where you are,” Ava insisted.
“For sure.”
I brushed through the crowd of people and caught a cab outside. I gave the taxi driver the intersection I wanted and stared out the window as we blew by people, buildings, and lights in the relative ease of nighttime traffic.
My driver pulled up at my destination, and after paying, I stepped out onto the same corner I’d stood on with Dylan only the day before.
It was colder tonight and I hadn’t brought a sweater. So I wrapped my arms around myself as I walked down the promenade called the Mall, with its elm trees swaying overhead, to the bench we’d sat on.
My friends were right. Going to the party was the right thing to do. But I also needed to be alone right now.
I checked my phone again. Nothing from Dylan, but a text from Ava to see where I was. I sent off an answer, then tucked the phone back in my bag.
I sat on the bench and listened to the slow violin melody played by a busker down the path, and watched people pass. Each of them seemed to be in their own world.
For the first time in a long time, I felt alone in New York.
Normally I could force down the feelings for the sake of getting things done, like I’d done at the party tonight. But today there was no way to push them away, and I didn’t want to. The confusion, the sadness, the longing—all of it washed over me as I sat and watched and listened.
Minutes or hours later, I crossed to the busker, dropping a five into her violin case, before turning and starting back down the path toward home. My feet would hurt by the time I got home, but I wanted the walk.
A shape coming toward me down the path had me pausing, my breath sticking in my chest. It continued to come toward me, its outline more familiar at twenty feet, then unmistakable at ten.
“Dylan?”
Then I was running.
Chapter 15
Dylan
“Hey, smart girl.”
Lex threw herself at me, and I reached my arms around her in defense as well as affection.
She pulled back long enough to survey me. “But … I dropped you off at the airport yesterday.”
“Yeah. I got home and realized I forgot something.”
“What?”
“You.”
Her gaze searched mine, disbelief warring with hope. Whatever makeup she wore made her eyes shine dully in the streetlight. Her red hair flowed in waves over one shoulder, pinned up off her neck on the other side. The sequined dress ended high up her long legs. She was dressed for a party, but she looked even more gorgeous here, surrounded by trees and cobblestone and moonlight.
“I tried calling you.”
“I know. I called Ava asking where to find you, and she said you were here.”
“But…” Lex shook her head, falling silent.
I felt a grin pull at my mouth, the first time since I’d left yesterday. The extra plane ticket had cost a few hundred bucks I was going to miss when I went to buy textbooks, but now that Lex was standing in front of me? I knew I’d made the right choice.
“I had to come back. See, there’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while. At first I tried come up with some big gesture. But I realized we’re not about the big gestures. Our moments have always been the small ones. The ones when no one’s looking. When it’s just you and me and this feeling of possibility. You’re everything I ever wanted, you know that?”
She started to respond, and I pressed a finger to her lips.
“Just—give me a sec, OK? I’ve got a few things to get out.”
“All right,” she said softly.
I dropped my hand, and her gaze moved over my face, her hands tightening on the sleeves of my leather jacket. The way she was looking at me, like I was everything, gave me a new, unshakable confidence.
“There is one thing I did when I got home. I turned down the job in San Diego. It wasn’t going to cut it. But don’t worry, because no applicant is going to be more determined than I am. I’ll knock on every door in Manhattan until I get a yes. See, I’ve loved you since I was fifteen. Maybe since I was nine, which would be before you even had boobs. That’s how you know what real love is. When it’s not even about boobs.”
Her hand went to her mouth, hiding a smile.
“I love you because you never forget a fact, but more importantly, you never forget a person. You work so damn hard every day because you want things to be perfect, but also because it’s the right thing to do. And I don’t care about the internship, we’ll work it out. Because I’ve never wanted anyone else, Lex. Even when you didn’t know I existed, you were it for me. If I had to do it again I would, because waiting for you is better than being with anyone else.” I reached for her hands, unable to keep from touching her for another second.
“When I look at you, I don’t just see you. I see everything I want to be, and have, and experience. I want to discover the world with you. And I want to have kids with you. And maybe, who knows, maybe we can even buy a house someday, or at least afford the rent in New York. But…”
This part there was no practicing for.
I knelt in front of her, my heart swelling.
“…before all that, I want to marry you. What do you say, Alexis Caine? Will you marry me?”
I opened the box, and Lex’s hand flew to her mouth. “Oh my God, Dylan.”
My eyes were on her face, and hers went to the ring. The one I’d spent four months figuring out how to cast. Picking out the perfect stone. Polishing off any rough edges so it would be worthy of her. Of us.
Her silver gaze found mine, full of love and wonder and nerves. That look alone made my heart expand until I thought it would escape my chest. “Can I talk now?”
“Yeah, it’s your turn. You pretty much have the floor.” I glanced down at the ring, my stomach shifting before my attention went back to her.
Her lips curved up at the corner, tentative at first.
“In that case … I love you too, Dylan. I’m so sorry about this week. I know I get distracted sometimes, but I realized something—none of it matters without you, without us. Because at the end of every day and at the beginning of the next, I want all of the things you said. And I want them with you.”
I cocked my head. “Is that a yes?”
“Yes! Of course, yes.” A radiant smile split her face, and I felt the same euphoria take me over.
I slid the ring onto her finger, and before I could stand, she dropped to her knees, throwing her arms around my neck.
“This doesn’t mean the next eight months are going to be easy,” I murmured into her hair.
“I know. But they’ll be worth it.”
Epilogue
Lex
Two months later
“So are we going to do this?” Dylan chided from the driver’s seat, sliding his Ray-Bans down his nose to look me in the eye.
The vineyard was a few hours north of San Diego. We’d found it online, and as we pulled up outside, my heart raced with excitement. The top was off Dylan’s Mustang, and all I could see were vines cresting rolling hills and a beautiful stucco building perched atop it all.
I slid out of the car, smoothing down my green dress, and Dylan came around to my side, looking handsome in jeans and a pullover. Every time I saw this guy, I loved him more. The diamond ring on my finger, the one he’d made himself, was just another reminder.
Dylan’s mischievous expression had me on guard. “You know we’re just here for a tour and to check dates, right?” I cautioned.
He grabbed my hand and pulled me against his side. “Maybe I’m secretly trying to get you drunk, say ‘I do,’ and get on with it. By dinner we could have the paperwork signed and be home legalizing this thing. ”
I grinned as we crossed the half-full parking lot to the gravel lane leading up to the main building. “As tempting as that is, I don’t think this is like Vegas. You don’t just show up and book thirty minutes with Elvis.”
Dylan glanced around us. “It’s not busy. Let’s ask.”
I laughed. “Ava will kill us if she misses the wedding.”
“Fine,” he relented. “But soon. I’m not waiting two years for this thing.”
“One year. Dylan, we’ve got to make it perfect.”
Dylan grabbed my waist. “Three months.”
“But I’m doing my internship for two months!” That was the deal I’d struck with Elle—sixty days, and during it I’d do anything. When I’d told her why, she’d agreed. “I need at least nine months to plan,” I countered.
“Six. That'll put it right after graduation. We can’t do later because I've got somewhere to be.” He reached into his pocket for his phone, hitting a few buttons before holding it out to me.
My gaze scanned the email, and my fingers dug into Dylan’s arm. “Holy shit. You got a job offer in New York?”
“Yeah. The third company I interviewed with decided to take a chance on me. Just came through this morning.”
I threw my arms around him. “That’s amazing! So it’s for real now,” I mused as we ascended the steps to the building.
“It’s for real.”
“I think I love you even more.”
“I didn’t know that was possible,” he teased, reaching for the door handle. I hung back, and he dropped it.
“Did you find a new roommate since Rick moved out last month?”
“Nope. Why do you ask?” Dylan stepped into me, his dark eyelashes framing the warm gaze that moved over my face.
“Because the walls at your house are pretty thin,” I murmured under my breath.
I was suddenly thinking of things you didn’t do in a brightly lit room full of extended family. I wanted somewhere dark and private with a bed—hell, even a floor—and nothing but my inexhaustible fiancé.
Plus about ten hours.
Dylan’s jaw tensed. “They are. But it’s fine. There’s no way we’re going to make it back to the house.” He started back down the steps, tugging my hand.
“But … the dates!” I protested weakly.
“We’ll check them later.”
We staggered back to the car and were barely inside when Dylan’s mouth came crashing down on mine. His hand went under my dress and my eyebrows shot up.
“
Shit, I’m so glad I went to your birthday party two years ago.”
“Really?”
“Mhmm. The most amazing girl kissed me.” His hand streaked up my thigh, grabbing my ass and pulling me against him while his mouth moved over mine.
“Where is she now?” I managed. Dylan’s eyes darkened wickedly and I let out a little noise of satisfaction at his determined touch. There was no hint of the self-consciousness from the first time we’d done this. He owned me, and he knew it.
We both did.
“She’s about to get fucked in the back of a Mustang,” he murmured in my ear.
Dylan’s dirty words had me wet already. “They definitely won’t let us get married here if we defile the parking lot.”
“Oh, yeah, say it again.”
“What. Defile?”
“Yeah.” His teeth grazed my neck, and I arched against his hard, hot body.
“It’s daylight,” I whispered.
“It’s a Tuesday,” he countered, his fingers sliding under the edge of my panties.
“Well, we are in the back parking lot.”
His smile took my breath away. “God, I love you.”
Thank you so much for reading Sealed! I’m honored you took time out of your day to spend with Lex and Dylan.
Since I wrote Schooled, readers have been asking what happened with these two…so voila! If you want more Travesty, plus other new books and news, subscribe to my insiders list. You’ll hear about new books, sales, and special deals. Plus, just for subscribing you’ll get an exclusive read you’re REALLY going to want to check out.
http://eepurl.com/bNQmYT
Enjoy this book? Here’s how you can help
I’m going to share something kind of personal. Something I haven’t shared with that many people in my life…
