“Yup, before you know it, our assignment will be done and Sean and Dianna will be on their way to—” He stopped, his eyes reflecting sadness. “Happily ever after.”
“Isn’t that a good thing?”
“Yeah, of course.”
“Then why do you look so sad?”
His hand came up and with only a second’s hesitation brushed the hair from her forehead. “I kinda like being here with you again.” He dropped his hand and reached into his pocket for the car keys. “Besides, I never actually got my happily ever after.”
“Neither did I.” She walked to the passenger side and opened the door, sliding into her seat. “If given the chance, would you do it over again?”
Jack latched his seatbelt. “Give up Heaven for this? I’d have to have a damn good reason.”
Angie faced forward, swallowing the sudden lump in her throat. She didn’t blame him. Heaven was just so—she couldn’t think of the words to describe it—but would she do life all over again if she could have, for just one second, the joy in finding her happily ever after?
Chapter Ten
THE WEEK FLEW BY for Dianna. Probably because she was happier than she’d been in a long time. Her relationship with Sean had rebounded, although there were still times where he seemed downright bewildered. She’d asked him about it a few times, but all she ever got was a rushed “everything’s fine.”
She’d had three successful events where everyone went nuts for her cakes. She’d even had to break open a bottle of bubbly when her latest YouTube video broke her previous record for views and she’d added almost five thousand more subscribers.
Now it was Friday, and if all went well, tonight would be the night she finally took a lover.
Took a lover. Damn, that sounded so grown up.
The setting sun maintained the lovely warm temperatures that had her throwing open the windows in her bedroom. The breeze soothed her as she stood in front of her closet, studying its contents. Her fingers flipped through the hangers holding all the casual shirts and plain dresses, her anxiety growing.
Oh, why hadn’t she done this days ago? She’d wanted everything to be perfect tonight, from her clothes to her underwear, leaving nothing to chance. Yet here she was, a few hours from countdown, and she had to face the dilemma of last minute shopping.
Then her eyes settled on a garment she’d forgotten she even owned. Last summer, Kate had insisted Dianna buy the form-fitting lavender dress. Her friend had a keen sense for fashion, something Dianna lacked, so persuading her had hardly been a chore.
Hesitant, she tugged the outfit off the hanger. Enjoying the feel of the silky fabric in her hands, she slipped it over her head. It still fit her every curve perfectly, the lavender complimenting her tan so well it made her skin glow. The square neckline showed off a tiny bit more than a hint of cleavage and the hem of the skirt came to just above her knee. The dress was sexy and classy, and so not her. Perfect for her date.
With that worry out of the way, she went about her daily routine, checking her watch every fifteen minutes until it was time to get ready.
Once showered and dressed, she applied a touch more makeup than usual. She curled her hair until it hung in long, sultry waves down to her shoulders. She stepped back and stared at her image. Maybe she was being immodest, but damn if she didn’t clean up good.
Now that everything was perfect, she passed the last hour by sketching out a new comic. She wondered if her Sandy character would change once Dianna had sex. It didn’t take a genius to figure out Sandy was an extension of herself, but would that reflect in her adventures?
Putting her pencils and thoughts aside, she shut off the light and rose from her sketching table.
Dianna checked her watch. Still another forty-five minutes before she was to meet Dean. She grabbed her purse. Better make sure she had everything she needed.
Fully charged cell phone. Done.
Condoms. Got them.
Extra cash…just in case. Right in her wallet.
Travel toothbrush. Here.
She glanced at her watch again.
Forty-four minutes to go.
Forty-four.
Oh, God!
Where had this anxiety come from? She’d been looking forward to tonight. Suddenly she was terrified. She had some idea what to expect. She may be a virgin, but she’d been three-quarters of the way around the block a time or two. Still, heavy petting and oral sex were a far cry from actually doing it.
What if she wasn’t good at it? What if he wasn’t and she wound up scarred for life?
Okay, deep breaths.
It was times like this she wished she had Tucker’s hyperventilating bag.
She paced the room. After only a few minutes she realized she needed someone to calm her down. Grabbing her purse, she hurried outside, but stopped in her tracks when she noticed Kate’s car wasn’t in her driveway. Damn it!
Okay, plan B.
Within minutes, Dianna pulled up in front of Sean’s house.
She found him in the family room watching the ballgame. Yes! This is exactly what she needed to pass the time. Baseball and her best friend to the rescue.
“Ah! Are the Mets winning?” She rushed over to his overstuffed armchair and plopped down. Her off-handed question was met with silence. “Sean?” She turned her face toward him but keep her eyes on the game.
Still no answer.
Finally taking her focus off the TV, she looked at him. He stared back, wide-eyed, with a beer in his hand and his cheeks puffed out like a squirrel harvesting nuts before winter.
Dianna raised her eyebrows. “What’s the matter with you?”
Sean slowly, almost painfully, swallowed the liquid in his mouth. “What—” he squeaked. Clearing his throat, he tried again. “What are you wearing?”
Dianna glanced down at her outfit wondering when Sean had gotten so stupid about clothes. “It’s called a dress. I have a date tonight.”
“You’re going out wearing that?”
“Yes, why?”
“It’s on backwards.”
Dianna made a move to cross her arms over her breasts, but instead, as an act of defiance, she laid her hands in her lap. He was being ridiculous. “Don’t be silly.”
“Who is your date with? Hugh Heffner?”
“Dean Vaughn.”
Sean’s eyes grew wider. “Are you insane? You can’t go on a date with him, looking like that.”
Okay, now he was pissing her off. There was nothing wrong with how she looked. Sure, the dress was a bit sexier than her usual oversized T-shirt and yoga pants, but she looked good, damn it! “Why the hell not?”
He sat there, with his mouth opening and closing like a fortuneteller machine at a carnival. Finally, he placed his drink down and rubbed his eyes. “I don’t know. What if he tries to get you into bed? And from what I hear at the bar, he probably will.”
Here’s your opening. Talk to him, he’ll ease your nerves.
“Actually, that’s what I’m hoping for.”
In a blink, Sean shot off the sofa and landed his hands on either arm of her chair. His eyes blazed as he brought himself almost nose to nose with her. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
His voice was dark and dangerously low, sending a jolt of awareness through her.
Dianna stared back in shock, her breath suddenly growing rapid. She’d never seen him so intense before. That included the time she’d used bright pink nail polish to paint lips on his G.I. Joe action figure when they were seven. Out of all things, she’d never expected this. Sean was supposed to stand behind her, be her strength.
Not act like a jealous boyfriend.
A feminine voice coming from the powder room cut off her reply. “Sean, how about Chinese?”
Surprise and something akin to torment pitted in Dianna’s stomach.
“Fine,” he responded, but his stare never left hers. Then he pushed himself up and stepped back.
“I didn’t know you had comp
any.” She jumped up and retrieved her purse, suddenly feeling like a bother. She was pretty sure the last thing Sean wanted was his friend interfering on a first date with a new girlfriend. The fact that he hadn’t told her about it made her feel even worse. “I’d better go.”
“Not until you tell me what you meant by that’s what I’m hoping for.”
Before she could respond, a short brunette entered the family room. Dianna instantly recognized her as the girl from the beach a few weekends ago.
“Oh, hello!” The woman beamed and stepped forward, her hand outstretched. “You’re Dianna, right? I’m Trudy. Remember me?”
Dianna shook her hand and tried to smile despite the lump in her throat. It always amazed her how easily Sean moved on after a break up. “Of course, I remember.”
“So nice to see you again. Are you joining us for some take-out?” She held up the menu in her hand. “They make the best sweet and sour soup.”
“No, I was just leaving.”
“Well, just know I’m totally okay with the friend thing between you and Sean. My best friend is a guy too.”
“That’s great.”
That should make her happy, right? Finally, a woman who wouldn’t be threatened by her. She and Sean could keep the status quo and still find happiness with someone else.
So why did she have to force herself to return the other woman’s genuine smile?
“Matt’s a terrific guy,” Trudy said. “Maybe I could introduce you and we could double-date? Or do you already have a boyfriend?”
“No,” Sean spat out.
“Actually, I’m going on a date right now. But thanks for the offer.” Dianna turned to Sean and glared. “I’ll call you later.”
But before she could take a step, he grabbed her arm and propelled her to the front door. “Trudy, will you excuse me a second?” Then he shoved Dianna outside and closed the door behind him.
“Sean, what the hell?”
“Tell me what you meant by…that.”
She knew exactly what he was talking about. “Just as it sounded. I’m hoping tonight may be the night.”
Sean let out a humorous laugh. “The night for what? That he actually pays for dinner?”
Dianna huffed. “He forgot his wallet that one time.”
“Oh, but he miraculously found it when he saw those outrageous Italian shoes in the store window.”
“Whatever.” She really didn’t need this right now, but at least the anxiety was gone. She checked her watch. “I’m meeting him at that Italian restaurant on Park and if I don’t leave now I’m going to be late.”
“You plan on having sex with this man and he can’t even pick you up at your house?”
Dianna shifted uncomfortably. Damn, she’d hoped he wouldn’t pick up on that. “It’s halfway between his house and mine and he thought it would save on gas.”
Sean shook his head, the anger etched on his face morphed into one of unease. “Princess, think about what you’re doing.”
At the concern in his voice, her irritation lessened. Placing her hands on his shoulders, she kissed his cheek. “I’ll call you later.”
With a skip to her step—not easy to do in three-inch heels—she headed for her car. Eager now, to see how her evening played out.
***
Sean ran rigid fingers over his short hair. He felt lost, hopeless. God, he hated this. Dean Vaughn. What an ass. How could she even consider sleeping with that slug? Didn’t she remember crying on his shoulder the night Dean told her to call him when she grew up? The douchebag wasn’t good enough for her. He was cheap and a player. She deserved so much better than a suave playboy.
But how could he possibly say a damn thing when he wasn’t much better than a playboy himself?
That didn’t matter. Dianna was his best friend. Someone he loved dearly. Usually, he stayed out of her decision-making and let her make her own mistakes, but not this. It was too big. If sex was going to happen for her, he wanted it to be special.
He knew her better than she knew herself. If she slept with Dean she’d regret it for the rest of her life.
And that was one regret he had to save her from.
He headed back into the house, panicked. He had to do something.
“Hey!” Trudy said as soon as he walked in the door. “You didn’t tell me what you wanted.”
He stared at her, his mind unable to focus.
“Sean?” She snapped her fingers, a grin on her face. “You with me?”
Like an electric shock, her voice forced him into action. Grabbing her hand, he led her to the front door. “Come on. We’re going out to dinner.”
She grabbed her purse along the way. “You said you didn’t want to go out tonight.”
“I changed my mind.”
“Why the rush? Where are we going?”
“To that Italian restaurant on Park.”
***
Sean sat in the dimly lit restaurant and scanned the crowd again. Where was Dianna? Oh God, what if she’d decided to skip dinner and head straight for dessert?
“Sean, what is your problem tonight?”
He turned to Trudy, forcing himself to smile. “Nothing, why?”
“Oh, I dunno. Maybe because you keep jerking in your seat every time someone passes by?”
“Am I? Sorry, I just…” Sean’s sentence trailed off when the hostess walked in with Dianna. Dean followed close behind her. As always, Vaughn appeared so put together, he didn’t look real. His tie was perfectly straight, his hair perfectly combed, his shoes perfectly shined. When he and Dianna made it to their table, he pulled out her chair, waiting for her to sit before he took his seat.
Perfectly chivalrous.
How could Sean convince Dianna her date was a jerk, when he did everything right?
Except, maybe, pay for dinner.
“Oh, so that’s the reason for your sudden urge for Italian food,” Trudy said with a grin.
“Dianna had nothing to do with this.” He dragged his gaze off his friend and tried to focus on the menu.
“Sean, please don’t insult my intelligence by lying to me.”
He closed his eyes and sighed in resignation. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
Trudy nodded her acceptance of his apology. “So, would you care to fill me in as to why we’re having Italian tonight instead of the Chinese I preferred?”
Trying not to sound possessive, Sean said, “I’m worried about her.”
His date glanced in the other couples’ direction, then back to him, her eyes reflecting concern. “Why?”
“You have no idea what kind of man she’s with.”
“Well, if he’s bad news then I can certainly understand your worry.”
“I’m glad because I think it’s time I intervened.” He placed the menu down and rose from the table.
“Sean, sit.”
He stopped, his gaze seeking hers in confusion. “What? But I thought you said—”
“Sit. Down.”
With a sigh, he plopped back into his seat.
Trudy gracefully folded her hands on the table. “What are you going to do? Go over there and demand she come home with us?”
“Yeah, something like that.”
“And you expect her to say okay, and that will be the end of it?”
Sean shifted in his chair and fiddled with his fork. “Yes.”
Trudy laughed and shook her head. “Men. Want to hear my prediction?”
He shrugged.
“She’ll be furious and more determined to go home with him, and, if I had to guess, will knock you on your ass in the process.”
“How do you know that? You’ve only met her twice.”
“Because that’s how I’d react if Matt tried to do that with me.”
Sean said nothing, but he knew she was right.
“Now,” she continued, “if you leave her alone, maybe she’ll come to her senses on her own.”
“Not likely. Once Dianna has an idea in her head,
nothing will change her mind. She’s going to make the biggest mistake of her life. I can’t just sit by and let her do it.”
Trudy placed her hand over his and said in a gentle tone, “Dianna’s a grown woman. She has to make her own mistakes.”
Sean gripped the menu, wishing he could tear it in two. “Not this kind.”
“Sweetie, you have two choices here; either you end the evening with Dianna still your friend, or you end it with her mad at you. Either way, she’s still going to do what she wants.”
Sean glanced over at the couple, his jaw clenching as Dean slowly brushed a strand of Dianna’s hair behind her ear. “Can we go? I can’t stay here and watch her do this.”
Trudy smiled with understanding. “Sure.”
Sean signaled their server and explained they were leaving. He counted out a few bills thinking it wasn’t the waiter’s fault they’d changed their minds, and threw them on the table.
Looking over at Dianna one last time, he found himself looking into shocked green eyes.
He turned away and followed Trudy to the foyer, fighting the sudden urge to punch something. Just Dianna seeing him here was as effective as if he had gone over and made a jackass of himself. By the look in her eyes, she was contemplating murder.
His.
Chapter Eleven
“AND HERE I THOUGHT our job was going to get easier,” Jack muttered as he lowered a thin clear hose into the opening of Dianna’s gas tank.
“Haven’t you ever siphoned gas from a tank before?”
He stopped his task and turned to Angie with a dubious expression on his face. “Why on earth would I do that?”
“Oh, I dunno, maybe because that sports car you drove ate through fuel so fast you had to borrow some at one time or another.”
“I’ll have you know, I’d rather walk ten miles in a snowstorm than to steal from anyone.”
“And I bet you’ve had to do that, too.” Goodness, she loved pushing his buttons. She wondered if she’d done that before and if he had reacted the same way.
A low grunt.
Angie stood quietly, pulling in the wonderful aroma of garlic coming from the nearby Italian restaurant. Even though they’d discovered early on they could go without eating or sleeping, Angie still enjoyed doing both, and right now, she could go for some shrimp scampi.
Angels in Seashore Cove (Love and Laugh in Seashore Cove Book 2) Page 12
