Second Time Lucky
Page 18
TWO HOURS HAD PASSED before they headed to Anything Goes. Mia hoped Lindsey and Shelby had relieved Annabelle. Although Mia knew without a single doubt that Annabelle would have no problem having been stuck there, especially once she saw the ring.
Before Mia opened the door she heard the laughter and excited chatter. Annabelle sat at the desk, Shelby was perched on the counter and Lindsey sat in the guest chair. They all turned to look at David and Mia. While her two partners grinned in unison, Annabelle looked a bit anxious.
“Well?” Shelby said. “Have you two kissed and made up?”
“Pretty much,” Mia said, casually flipping back her hair making sure the rock on her finger caught the light.
Annabelle’s eyes sparkled as brilliantly as the diamond. Covering her mouth with her blue-veined hand, she leaped up from the chair and fiercely hugged Mia. “I’m so relieved.”
Laughing, Mia hugged the woman back.
Lindsey gasped, her hand going to her throat.
“Am I missing something?” Shelby frowned, then her eyes widened the second she spotted the ring. “Holy crap.”
“Yes, indeed,” Annabelle said, let Mia go and turned to David. “I’m so happy to finally meet you, young man. “I’ve heard many fine things about you.”
“Pleased to meet you.” He extended Annabelle his hand, which she ignored, and hugged him as tightly as she’d hugged Mia.
David flushed a bit and helplessly patted the older woman’s back.
Mia laughed. “I’m sorry we were gone so long. We had a lot to sort out.”
Shelby had grabbed her hand and was studying the ring. “No problem. Annabelle gave us some terrific ideas, like shopping estate sales for inventory.” She passed Mia’s hand to Lindsey. “Good job, Pearson. You have any brothers?”
“Sorry.”
“Oh, well.” Shelby shrugged. “Hey, Linds, I’ll flip you for Mia’s room.”
Lindsey rolled her eyes, and hugged Mia. I’m so happy for you, sweetie.” She smiled at David. “You did good.”
“I think so,” he said, slipping an arm around Mia’s waist.
Mia met his eyes. It didn’t seem totally real yet. David. Them. She stole another glance at the ring. “Hey I’m not giving up my share of the loft quite yet, guys. Looks as if I’ll have to put in more time at the firm.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Annabelle said quietly. “Unless you want to, of course. Though certainly not on my account.” She dabbed at a tear that slid down her cheek. “I am so sorry, Mia. I thought I was helping. But it seems I’m simply a foolish old woman who needs to keep her nose out of everyone’s business.”
Seeing that Annabelle was visibly shaken, Mia took her friend’s ice-cold hand. “Annabelle, whatever it is, it’s okay.”
She shifted, dabbed again at her cheek. “My apology extends to you as well, David. I hope you both can eventually forgive me.”
He stared at Annabelle, his expression one of graduating awareness. “Stan Peabody?”
“A very old and dear friend,” Annabelle said. “He’s managed my affairs for too long. He needs to retire. If you aren’t totally disgusted with me, I’d like Pearson and Stern to take over the entire estate. My late husband…he had a knack for making money.”
Mia let out a short, self-deprecating laugh. Talk about self-absorbed. Her friend had given her hint earlier, but Mia had failed to connect the dots. “Why, Annabelle? Why the charade?”
She sighed. “The last time we were in the park, you sounded so miserable, and I honestly didn’t believe you wanted to leave your job. I thought if I could somehow force you two together, you would stop thinking about running away from David, and he would see what a wonderful young woman you are.” She cast an apologetic look at Lindsey and Shelby. “I’m afraid I didn’t realize how serious you were about your business venture. And then I left on my cruise. You quit the firm, and I very nearly made a mess of everything.” Her damp eyes lighting with hope, she glanced from Mia to David. “However, I dare say, it seems to have worked out.”
After a brief, stunned silence, Mia gave her a mock glare. “You obviously have too much time on your hands, young lady.”
“Not anymore.” With hands on her hips, Lindsey snagged Annabelle’s gaze. “You have some outstanding ideas, and Shelby and I shamelessly plan to keep picking your brain.”
Annabelle sighed, her face looming with relief. “There’s a nice, cozy little bar not far from here. I’m buying.”
“I’m in.” Shelby looped an arm with Annabelle and, winking at Mia, she said, “You two don’t wait up.”
They stopped at the door long enough for Annabelle to give Mia and David a final beatific smile. “I assume you understand that Pearson and Stern will have all of my business. I’ll have Stan fill you in on the rest of it tomorrow.”
Wordlessly, they watched the three of them leave the office.
“The rest of it? Mia said.
“That’s what I heard.” David pulled her into his arms, and she linked her hands around his neck,
“I wasn’t about to ask.” Mia’s heart fluttered at the way the love shone in his warm brown eyes. “I wish we were in Hawaii right now.”
“Hawaii was great, but it doesn’t matter where we are.” He kissed her gently. “As long as we’re together.”
She nodded. “Oh, God, they’re all going to have a field day at the office when they find out.”
“Don’t care.”
Mia smiled. “You’ve come a long way.”
“Yes, I have,” He kissed her hair, her eyelids, her mouth. “My place?”
“Definitely.” Mia didn’t even mind when he started kissing her, and it was another hour before they closed the office door behind them.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-8901-1
SECOND TIME LUCKY
Copyright © 2011 by Debbi Quattrone
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*Men To Do
**
Do Not Disturb
†Million Dollar Secrets
††Stolen from Time