Dream of Me: A Sweet Contemporary Romance

by Delaney Cameron

“Who’s going to see us?”

  “I hope Mike’s not looking out the window.”

  Corbin chuckled. “Me, too; all my work this morning will be for nothing.”

  “You mean telling him we’re not a couple?”

  “Exactly. Although to be truthful, I don’t think he believed me.”

  “Why?”

  “Because he knows me better than most people.”

  Aubrey didn’t know what to make of that statement. Ironically enough, Mike was standing on the porch waiting for them when they ascended the stairs, eyebrows raised and a look of concern on his face.

  “Something happen to Aubrey?”

  Corbin smiled faintly. “She found your hill a little trying, and I didn’t have the heart to leave her behind. Just one more reason I should have stuck by my rule of never hiring a female.”

  “It was a stupid rule,” Mike retorted as he opened the door and waved them in. “Women are easier to work with and definitely nicer to look at.”

  “It depends on the woman,” retorted Corbin as he lowered Aubrey to the ground.

  Mike looked at Aubrey. “Are you going to let him get away with that?”

  “I just ignore him. I must be doing something right or why else would he keep me around?”

  “I’ve been wondering that myself,” Mike added softly with a puzzled glance in Corbin’s direction.

  Corbin smiled enigmatically. “I’m wondering if my assistant is ready to start working. That’s why we’re here.”

  “I’m ready when you are. Just let me get out of this heavy coat and wet shoes.”

  They spent the remainder of the morning going over a preliminary renovation schedule for the four buildings. Each job site presented its own challenges, not the least of which was the distance between them. It was during these discussions that Aubrey found out Mike was responsible for recommending Corbin to the property owner, Dillon Meets.

  After consuming some hastily prepared sandwiches, Corbin turned to Aubrey. “Dillon and his attorney should arrive in the next hour or two. It will probably be intense for the next few days as we hammer out all the details. I have my own ideas how I want this done and of course, Dillon will have his. It will be your job to ensure we don’t get bogged down with trivial matters.”

  Wondering how she was supposed to do that, Aubrey began clearing the table. Mike came up beside her.

  “Let me help with those, Aubrey.”

  “That’s all right; I’ve got it.”

  “I’m sure you’re very efficient; Corbin wouldn’t have kept you otherwise.”

  “We’ve had our moments, haven’t we, Aubrey?” piped in Corbin. “But she’s come around nicely.”

  “I don’t doubt it. If I didn’t already have a very competent assistant, I might try to lure her away from you.”

  “Another conquest for you, Aubrey. Have we even been here twenty-four hours yet?”

  “You’re both being ridiculous.”

  “In that case, I’ll leave you two to get further acquainted,” Corbin retorted as he glanced at his watch. “I have a call to make.”

  Aubrey hoped Mike would follow Corbin’s example and leave the room. Instead, he came to lean against the counter.

  “How long have you worked for him?” he asked, breaking the silence.

  “Almost three months.”

  “How long have you been in love with him?”

  Dropping the towel she’d been using to dry the dishes, Aubrey turned toward him. “What did you say?”

  “In the circumstances, it was inevitable. Corbin has a way about him that’s difficult to resist. Take my advice and find another job. You’ll get over him in time.”

  Aubrey bent to retrieve the towel. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  He laid a hand on her shoulder. “I don’t make a habit of butting into other people’s lives, but you seem like a nice person. I hate to think you’re wasting your time on a lost cause.”

  “Why do you say it like that?”

  “Corbin hasn’t had a serious relationship with a woman since Mandy. Think about that for a minute – it’s been what, six years. That’s a long time for a man to hold on to the past. He’ll never get over Mandy because he doesn’t want to.”

  Aubrey let out a long sigh of exasperation as she watched Mike turn the corner. Had he said anything she didn’t already know? There was no chance for her, so why was she still hoping for a miracle?

  Her task completed, she exited the kitchen and started down the hall. Behind the closed door of Mike’s office, she could hear Corbin’s muffled voice. He would be talking to Mandy, of course. Aubrey wandered into the living room and flung herself into a huge recliner.

  After a few minutes, he joined her. “I just got off the phone with Phoebe. Haven’t you called her since we arrived?”

  “Since we only left yesterday, I didn’t think it necessary to call her.”

  “Ouch! Are you mad because she appears to be gaining ground with Richard? Only someone with his ego would get involved with sisters.”

  Aubrey frowned. “What happens between Phoebe and Richard is their problem.”

  “I credited her with more sense.”

  “Don’t you believe people can change?”

  “Sure, but I haven’t seen much evidence of Richard doing so.”

  Tired of what appeared to be a hypocritical stance by someone who was usually so logical, Aubrey rushed into speech. “That’s because you don’t want to see it. You’re holding Richard’s past against him. I wonder if you’re holding Mandy to the same standard. Or are you willing to believe she’s changed because that makes it easier for you to take her back?”

  His eyes narrowed slightly. “I don’t think Mandy has changed, but I know I have.”

  Those simple words silenced Aubrey, and suddenly she was ashamed of her outburst. “I’m glad things are working out for you,” she said quietly.

  “Are you? You don’t think it unwise for me to get involved with someone who thought nothing of leaving me on our wedding day?”

  “You must love her very much.”

  “You didn’t answer my question.”

  She looked away from him. “It doesn’t matter what I think.”

  “I’m not so sure about that.”

  Mike joined them then and the subject was dropped. Throughout the next hour, she took notes, her fingers trying to keep pace with the two men. A brief reprieve was called when their visitors arrived.

  Dillon was an intense individual in his late thirties. Though his stature wasn’t great, his authoritative manner and booming voice made it impossible to ignore him. Jeremy, his attorney and business partner, turned out to be his younger brother.

  After introductions had been made, the men went right to work, discussing everything from where they would procure materials and local labor to the possibility of hiring separate crews. Aubrey began to realize the magnitude of the task before them. As she listened to the various topics being discussed, she also realized Corbin had done his homework. His designs were well thought-out and reflected an appreciation for the guests who would stay at these inns.

  Mike, whose hobby was cooking, prepared them a delicious pasta dish for dinner and shooed Aubrey out of the kitchen when she tried to help with the dishes. The rest of the evening was spent watching a series of promotional ads soon to be released by Dillon’s company.

  It wasn’t long before Aubrey’s thoughts wandered from the screen. Her own situation with Corbin was more deserving of her consideration. What was she going to do? How much longer could she stay with him when every day brought him closer to Mandy? Maybe she wasn’t as noble as she thought.

  Once she was in bed, she couldn’t fall asleep. All the scenarios with Corbin and Mandy kept running through her mind. It wasn’t surprising that with such mental anguish she would trigger the dreaded nightmare. This time, however, the dream was hauntingly different. When she finally arrived inside the burning aircraft, it wasn’t her parents she was sear
ching for, it was Corbin.

  Aubrey couldn’t stop the hysterical sobs wracking her body. As she fought her way to consciousness, she must have made some sound. Corbin was inside her room before she realized it. He didn’t, however, come closer than the foot of her bed.

  “Everything okay?” he asked.

  Aubrey smiled wanly. “You don’t know how much I want this to stop. I feel so awful disturbing your rest.”

  “We’ll just add this to the ever-growing list of things Phoebe neglected to tell me about you.”

  “Yeah, you certainly got more than you bargained for with me. Every day I’m more surprised that I still have a job.”

  Corbin threw her his slow smile, his eyes twinkling in the dim light. “Me, too. Taking you on was a terrible lapse in judgment. I have a feeling I’m going to pay dearly for it, too. Try to get some sleep, Brey. Tomorrow is going to be a hectic day.”

  “That’s what my father always called me.”

  “Does that mean you would rather I didn’t?”

  “No, I didn’t mean that at all. I actually like it better. Aubrey is normally a boy’s name, you know.”

  Corbin walked toward the door. “That may be true, but Aubrey will always be a girl’s name to me.”

  She never understood what made her say the next words. “I didn’t like you at first.”

  With his hand on the doorknob, Corbin slowly turned to face her. “I know. I didn’t like you, either. You weren’t what I was expecting.”

  “I know that. Why did you let me stay?”

  He looked uncomfortable. “I realized I was wrong about you.”

  “Me, too. I thought you were an unsociable grouch.”

  “I am an unsociable grouch.”

  A sweet smile played around her mouth. “Not all the time.”

  “And you’re not completely useless. In a year or so, you might be as good or better than Jason.” He ducked out of the way of the pillow she threw at him. “Hey, that was a compliment.”

  “I hope so. I’ve tried hard to be what you want.”

  A wistful expression passed over his handsome features as he picked up the pillow and brought it to her. “You’ve certainly done that. Now, quit feeling sorry for yourself. You know I can’t do without you. You’ve made yourself indispensable.”

  She watched him leave and then absently turned off her light. But she didn’t go to sleep for a long time.

  * * * *

  The brightness of the room brought Aubrey’s sleepy gaze to the clock on the nightstand beside her bed. Horrified at the time, she scrambled out of bed, all the while wondering why the usually vigilant Corbin hadn’t exerted himself to find out what was keeping her.

  Arriving downstairs, she peered into the kitchen, noting a lone coffee cup resting next to several rolled-up blueprints. The murmur of voices sent her scurrying down the hall toward the living room. Knowing her presence would be needed and embarrassed at having kept the others waiting, Aubrey turned the corner, a tentative smile of apology on her lips.

  Any words she would have spoken died instantly at the sight of Mandy perched on the arm of Corbin’s chair, her long fingers with their red-tipped nails resting on his shoulder. Aubrey’s first instinct was to back out of the room, but Corbin had already seen her.

  “Good morning, sleepyhead. You can see we’ve acquired another guest.”

  Trying to portray a calm she was far from feeling, Aubrey came slowly into the room and greeted them both. Mandy eyed the late arrival with malicious enjoyment.

  “Aubrey looks more surprised and less pleased by my arrival than you did.”

  Corbin’s glance settled on Aubrey. “Go have breakfast while I tackle the pile of luggage sitting in the foyer. We’ve wasted enough time socializing.”

  She needed no further incentive to leave the room. With trembling hands, she set about making toast, the only thing she could face at the moment. She tried not to hear the teasing and provocative remarks being exchanged between the other two in the hallway. Struggling to get down even one bite of food, she wondered how on earth she was going to be able to endure this latest development. Corbin’s quiet voice jerked her back to the present.

  “Don’t worry; she won’t stay long. There’s not enough to do here.”

  “You’re here. What else does she need?”

  “Would that be enough for you?” he asked softly.

  Ignoring this, Aubrey asked instead, “What do you want me to do this morning?”

  “You’re getting good at not answering my questions.”

  “I’m here to work, not get into personal discussions about your social life.”

  Corbin laughed loudly at that. “Okay, Miss Strictly-Business, you can work on those changes we agreed upon for the first two properties. The others Dillon suggested aren’t going to happen.”

  “Will he agree to that?”

  “He will if he wants me to do the work. I’m not going to compromise quality in order to save a few bucks.”

  * * * *

  The addition of Mandy changed the atmosphere significantly. It was entertaining and at the same time depressing to watch her handle not one but four men with a degree of expertise Aubrey could only admire. While managing to monopolize Corbin’s every spare moment, she spread her charms evenly among them all.

  Despite these distractions, the contracts were signed and the plans were completed to everyone’s satisfaction. Watching the car disappear down the hill carrying Dillon and Jeremy to the airport, Aubrey wondered how soon they would be making their own departure. She dreaded the thought of traveling home as a threesome.

  As she breathed in the clean, cold air, she contemplated the merits of a walk, but settled for sitting in a rocking chair near one end of the porch. It was pleasant to be alone with her thoughts even if they were muddled.

  When the idea came to her, it made perfect sense. With an urgency she couldn’t explain, she skipped up the stairs to her room. Pulling her suitcase from the closet, Aubrey began methodically filling it with clothes. The actual logistics of her getting back to Tybee were at present a mystery, but she knew she needed to go.

  “Are you leaving?” Mandy asked.

  Her unwanted visitor hadn’t bothered to knock before coming into the room. “Yes, I think so.”

  “You had me fooled for a while, but I finally realized who you’re really interested in. I don’t blame you; Corbin is difficult to resist. Maybe if I hadn’t showed up, you would have had a chance. As it is, it’s only going to get worse for you. He’s not stupid; he’s going to figure out how you feel sooner or later.”

  Aubrey’s face paled. “My decision to go or stay is no concern of yours.”

  “True, but why torture yourself? You’ve been with him long enough to know that he’s not the unfeeling, hard man he pretends to be. He’s sensitive, caring and surprisingly romantic. You can’t afford to mistake acts of kindness for something more. There are many reasons a man will kiss a woman, most of which have nothing to do with love.”

  How did Mandy know Corbin had kissed her? Had he told her or was she just throwing it out there to see what Aubrey would say? She didn’t want to believe Corbin would discuss her with Mandy, but then again, Mandy wasn’t just any woman. She was the one he loved.

  In a cool voice she hardly recognized, she said, “I’m not as foolish as everyone seems to think. I knew there was never any chance for me. You’re the one he wants. I hope you’ll make him happy.”

  Mandy smiled. “I think you mean that. I’m not sure I could be so unselfish if our positions were reversed. Between that and Corbin’s sentimental streak, you’re both prolonging a situation that should have ended weeks ago. Cut your losses and forget him.”

  “I don’t want to forget him,” Aubrey replied quietly.

  “Whoever you can’t forget will have to wait.” Corbin’s appearance effectively silenced the two women. “Did you turn off your phone? Phoebe’s been texting you all morning.”

  “I never tu
rn it off.” Aubrey slipped her hand into the front pocket of her purse. She pulled out her phone and glanced at the screen. “Oh, I remember now. I turned down the volume when we were watching television last night.”

  “Silencing the phone or turning it off – it amounts to the same thing. Anyway, she wants some information about the article we submitted to that travel magazine.”

  “I’ll need the laptop for that. Excuse me for a minute.”

  Mandy waited until Aubrey disappeared and then she turned to Corbin. “She’s the perfect employee, isn’t she? Have you ever stopped to wonder why?”

  “Because she wants to keep her job.”

  “I can’t believe you don’t see it. She’s crazy about you.”

  “Only a few weeks ago, you were convinced she was interested in Richard.”

  “Maybe she used him to make you jealous.”

  He shook his head. “She wouldn’t do that - she cares too much about people’s feelings. You and I might do it, but Aubrey wouldn’t.”

  “Well, if nothing else, she’s impressed you; we both know how hard that is to do.” Mandy sauntered from the room, leaving a frowning Corbin in her wake.

  * * * *

  When Aubrey returned to her room, she was dismayed to find Corbin waiting. The conversation with Mandy had left her exposed. She’d hoped to avoid another one with him until she was more in control of her emotions. With an uncertain glance in his direction, she went to the closet and continued to remove her clothes. She heard movement and then he was beside her, disturbingly close to her half-full suitcase.

  “Why this sudden urge to leave?” he asked mildly.

  Instead of answering, she began folding her clothes into neat piles. Corbin suddenly grabbed her hands.

  “No more evasions, Aubrey. What’s going on?”

  “Nothing is going on. That’s why there’s no need for me to stay any longer. My part in this project is finished for now. Let me get back to Tybee where I can be productive.”

  “We fly back home the day after tomorrow. Forty-eight hours isn’t going to make a noticeable difference. Besides, there’s a restaurant Mike wants to take us to. It happens to be located next to a bed and breakfast inn that was recently renovated. I thought you might enjoy getting an idea of what we’re shooting for.”