“I won’t keep you then. I was just wondering if I left my cookie platter here the other night.”
“I don’t think so. I would have seen it before now.”
“Can we check? I can’t find it anywhere.”
“Sure.” She headed into the kitchen. “But I know I—”
“There it is!” Angie hurried over to one of the extra dinette chairs Dianna kept in the corner of her breakfast nook and picked the plate up off its seat.
Dianna stopped in her tracks. “That wasn’t here before. I’m sure of it.”
“Well, it’s here now.” Angie took the platter and hugged it to her breast. “I’d hate to lose this. Jack gave it to me decades ago.”
Decades? Dianna shook the confused thoughts from her head. “Jack gave you a plate? How romantic,” she said with a grin.
“Actually, it’s one of the most romantic gifts he’s ever given me.”
“How long have you known him?”
“Since we were nine.”
That brought a smile to Dianna’s face. “So most of your life. Just like Sean and me.”
“Yes.” She caressed the platter. “I was just out of college, and my grandmother had left me her fine china in her will. She knew how much I loved her set. The platter was my favorite piece.”
Dianna gestured for Angie to sit at the dinette, encouraging her to go on with her story.
Her guest arranged herself in the chair, placing the platter on the table, but still holding onto it. “When I moved into my first apartment, the platter got broken.”
“Oh, no!”
“I was devastated. I searched for a replacement, but could never find one since the pattern had been discontinued long ago. Eventually, I stopped looking and settled for a cheap knock-off, just so I had a complete set.”
“I have a feeling this is where Jack comes in.”
Angie smiled and nodded. “He gave it to me on my birthday. He’d searched for over a year until he found the exact same platter in a small antique shop in Vermont. Remember, we didn’t have the Internet or eBay back then, so you can imagine what a chore it must’ve been.”
Dianna’s heart warmed at such a thoughtful gift. “He went through so much trouble just for you. No wonder you love it so much.”
“Well, he also did it to remind me of the rules my grandmother lived by.”
“What were they?”
“Be patient. Never settle for second best, and anything worth having is worth fighting for.”
For some reason, Angie’s words had her thinking about her own impatience. Her own settling. Was she setting herself up for a huge fall just because her life wasn’t going the way she’d thought it would?
She sighed. Geez, only in her weird mind could she compare her virginity to an old cookie platter.
“What was that sigh about?”
“Just wondering if there are some things in my life I shouldn’t be settling for.”
Angie patted her hand. “Sometimes life throws us some hard choices. But as long as you’re true to who you are, you’ll never go wrong.”
And who was she? A good friend. Loyal. Someone who didn’t break promises. She was well loved. So why was she acting like a fool?
Her sexual history didn’t define her, her heart did.
Warmth engulfed Dianna at the realization. God, how could she have been so dumb, trying to force herself into a situation she was never meant to be in. How Angie knew her words would hit home was anyone’s guess, but by the smirk on her neighbor’s face, she knew they had.
“Didn’t you say you were a psychiatrist?”
“That obvious, huh? I never did learn subtlety.” Angie rose from the table. “I’ll be going now. Your young man will be here soon. And what a lovely man Sean is.”
“Sean isn’t my—”
“Are you sure about that?” Angie rested a hand on her shoulder. “Dianna, listen to your heart—I mean, really listen—and you can’t go wrong.”
She walked Angie to the door, unable to speak. Why did she feel like her neighbor’s advice consisted of more than just random words of wisdom? Like she knew something not even Dianna knew about herself?
And how the hell did she know it was Sean she’d been waiting for?
Just as Angie made her way back home, Sean pulled up in his Porsche. When he hopped from his car, Dianna caught her breath suddenly worried she was a little too underdressed.
Damn, he always looked good in a suit—wait. That was not just any suit, but his two thousand dollar, virgin wool, blue pinstripe Armani. She was with him when he bought it. It was his pride, one of his most cherished possessions. He swore that suit would only see the light of day for black tie events, or dinner with the Queen.
But he was wearing it now.
For her!
She studied him as he made his way up her pathway, her good mood turning to confusion.
Why was he doing this? He’d been so kind to her over the past week, making sure they spent time together and doing all her favorite things.
Then a thought occurred to her.
Was he making up for being an ass?
Her smile returned as that thought sank in. That he felt he needed to do this was so sweet, if a tad over the top.
“Wow, you look amazing!” he said as he reached the front door.
“Me? What about you? Are you dining with Her Majesty tonight?”
Sean offered a soft laugh as he leaned down and settled a lingering kiss to her cheek.
Lingering.
Something else he’d been doing a lot lately.
“I’m not giving anything away.” He grinned. ”Except we are not having dinner with Liz.”
“That’s a relief. My tiara is at the jeweler’s being cleaned.”
He offered his elbow. “Shall we go?”
Nodding, she hooked her arm in his. “Lead the way.”
Dianna’s nerves settled during the fifteen-minute drive. Despite their state of dress, the evening was shaping up to be like any other.
Until they pulled into the parking lot of Tawdry’s Steakhouse, one of the most expensive restaurants in East Hampton. Right next door was Tawdry’s Oceanside Inn, one of the most expensive hotels in The Hamptons.
Holy shit, what the hell was this guy atoning for? This went far beyond making up for a few sharp retorts and the cold shoulder treatment.
Something else was going on here.
All through dinner and dessert, Sean treated her more like his date than a buddy he’d taken out for a bite. The Sean she knew was still there, chatting with her easily and groaning with her over her mother’s new boy toy, Chad. But every once in a while he’d do something out of the ordinary. Like stand when she rose from the table to use the ladies room, and then pulling her chair out for her when she returned. She almost teased him about it, but she stopped herself, worried the special treatment would stop. She never realized how much she liked being spoiled… probably because she’d never been spoiled before.
And she should be.
She wanted that antique platter, damn it! She didn’t want a cheap knockoff but the real thing. And it was then, as Sean ordered her dessert, that Dianna decided she wasn’t going to settle for anything less. Angie was right. She needed to be true to herself. And giving herself to some guy who couldn’t be bothered with her unless she gave him sex wasn’t her. Neither was breaking a promise, no matter how silly.
Her dear neighbor was a lot smarter than Dianna gave her credit for. The fact that Angie thought Sean was Dianna’s man was something else entirely.
“Hey, you look intense. You okay?”
Dianna sat up straighter, her chin up. “Better than I have been in ages.”
“Wanna tell me why?”
“Yeah, I will, but right now I want to focus on dessert.”
After a nearly orgasmic serving of seven-layer cake (who needs sex when you have chocolate?), and the check paid, they walked to Sean’s car.
“You want to come back to
my place?” he asked, opening her door for her.
She slid into the seat and grabbed for her seatbelt. “Why? Do you have another surprise for me?”
Sean braced his arm on the door and grinned down at her. “You could say that.”
“Well, if it’s anything like this. I’m in!” If nothing else, she wanted to talk to Sean about her decision. She’d promised she’d keep him in the loop, and after the way he’d acted the night he followed her on her date, he’d be very relieved.
So much had happened tonight, by the time they entered Sean’s house she was emotionally exhausted.
“Omigosh, that was the most amazing meal I’ve ever had.”
Dianna plopped onto Sean’s sofa, watching him as he placed his keys on the hook by the door.
He removed his jacket and laid it over the back of his armchair, before sitting down next to her. “It better be for that price.”
“Yeah, but I’m worth it.” She rubbed her belly. “And that dessert? So good.”
Sean leaned closer and slid his finger down the bridge of her nose. “That cake was nothing compared to yours.”
Dianna fought the urge to reach up and rub her nose. Okay, they’d always been affectionate with each other. But poking her nose? When had he become so charming?
“Thanks for coming with me tonight, Princess.” He pulled at his tie. “I’ve wanted to try out that place for a while now and never had anyone else I felt like taking.”
Her eyes were glued to the spot just below his chin where he loosened his tie and began to undo the top button of his dress shirt. Man, she’d never noticed what a sexy gesture that was before. She silently urged his fingers to move down to the next button, hoping to get more of a glimpse of his masculine throat.
As if they’d heard her thoughts, his fingers did just that, but then paused. “Dianna?”
“Huh?” Oh, shit! She shook her head, clearing away her lustful thoughts. “Oh, you’re welcome. Thank you so much for taking me. It was nice.”
And it had been. Very nice. Too nice.
Maybe she should say something. Tell him that she’d easily forgiven him for the way he’d acted when Sonia was around and that he didn’t need to make anything up to her.
Well, maybe after his next surprise. She didn’t want to let him down.
Sean stood and reached out to her. “Come with me.”
She stared at his hand for a moment. Why were butterflies suddenly attacking her stomach, and when had his voice gotten so sexy?
She put her hand in his and let him pull her from her seat.
He led her to the stairs. Dianna followed him as he ascended the steps slowly, almost deliberately. Was he afraid she was going to run? Why on earth would she do that? She trusted this man with her life. It wasn’t until he led her into his room that Dianna thought maybe she should have run for it after all.
“Okay, I’ll bite. What kind of surprise could you possibly have for me in here?”
Sean positioned himself directly in front of her and ran his hands up her arms to her shoulders and then back down again in a slow caress. “I never did get to finish that backrub. I thought now would be the perfect time to rectify that.”
Dianna stared at him, realizing after a few moments her mouth hung open and her eyes must be wide.
Then it hit her like a ton of cake flour.
Sean was trying to seduce her.
Her!
And she knew why too. The sweet, sweet bastard.
She almost giggled, but she didn’t. She knew she was going to say no, but the words wouldn’t form. She had to tell him that she wasn’t going through with her silly plan.
But not a peep came out of her.
And with her silence, Sean moved closer, his head lowered toward hers, and still she did nothing.
Slam!
“Hey, sweetie! Where are you?”
Dianna jumped back, her heart pounding in her ears.
Sean closed his eyes, his mouth twisting in annoyance and stepped back also. “I’m upstairs, Mom.”
Hurried footsteps echoed from the stairs, then down the hall. “Sorry for just dropping by, but I had this sudden urge to see my oldest—” She entered the room. “Oh! Dianna, don’t you look pretty!”
“Thank you.”
Ellen’s eyes shifted between her son and Dianna, her brow furrowed in confusion before asking, “So…what’s up?”
“I—” Sean jammed his fingers through his short hair.
“Sean has finally decided to redecorate his room and was asking me for advice.”
His hand froze as he stared at her. “Uh, yeah, that’s right. I thought Dianna would have some good ideas. You know, since she decorates cakes and stuff.”
Ellen crossed her arms, looking at him skeptically. “Uh huh. Dianna decorates cakes. I decorate homes, so why wouldn’t you ask me?”
“I…was going to!” He fiddled with his loosened collar. “But, she was here so, I asked her…and…”
Ellen nodded and smiled. “Well, all I can say is thank God! I cannot believe a child of mine would have such dull taste.”
“Hey!” Sean scowled. “It’s not that bad. I was just thinking about it.”
“No, it’s time for a full overhaul. Don’t you agree, Dianna?”
“Oh, yes.”
“Mom, I’m not even sure I—”
Ellen thrust her chin in the air. “My dear boy, I am a professional. Whatever you want, I will give you. Now hang on a second, I have some swatches in my car.”
An hour later, after his mother left to go through her portfolio, Sean flopped back on his bed, his hands covering his eyes. “I can’t fucking believe this. Now I have to go shopping for flooring with my mother!” He sat up and glared at Dianna. “You couldn’t’ve come up with a better excuse as to why you were in my room?”
“Hey, I didn’t see you spouting out any gems, and besides,” she crossed her arms tight, “it serves you right after what you tried to do.”
“What did I do?”
She stormed over to him and punched his arm. Hard.
“Ow! Fucking shit, Dianna!” He grabbed where she’d hit him.
“Do you really think I was so stupid I wouldn’t figure out you were trying to seduce me?”
Some of the anger left his face. “Oh, you knew about that?”
“Yes! I mean, come on, you were so obvious.”
“So then why didn’t you say anything before now?”
She dropped her arms to her sides. “Well, okay, I just figured it out tonight, but still, I can’t believe you were being so nice to me just to get me into bed.”
He jumped up and stormed around his room. “It’s better than you fucking around with Dean I Forgot My Wallet Vaughn.”
“Okay, yes, you’re right.” Shit, that didn’t come out the way she’d hoped.
He stopped his stomping and stared at her. “You think sleeping with me is the better idea?”
“No, that’s not what I meant. Not exactly.”
He stepped closer. “Then what do you mean. Exactly.”
“Just that I’m not mad—well, a part of me is mad, but the other part is grateful.”
His brows shot up. “Grateful that I stopped you from having sex? Not exactly what the man trying to seduce you wants to hear.”
She bit back a laugh. Good, maybe he needed to have his ego deflated a few degrees. “As much as I’d love to make you believe that, you can relax. It just made me realize I should wait for the right guy, someone who will treat me like the awesome woman I am.”
“I made you feel that?”
“Yes, but in a platonic, non-romantic sort of way.”
“So you’re not going through with this crazy idea of yours?”
She shook her head.
He stared, his face a mask of confusion.
“What?”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen you change your mind before.”
She breathed in deep. “Well, maybe I’
m learning to listen to reason.”
“Stranger things have happened.”
“Yeah.” She ran her hands down the length of her dress. “Besides, what if you’d succeeded? Don’t you think you’d be wracked with guilt over being so deceptive? I mean it could have backfired horribly.”
He lifted one shoulder in a partial shrug. “I just wanted to stop you from making a big mistake. I didn’t think about what would happen afterwards.”
“Well, don’t give it another thought. I’m done letting people make me feel bad because of the choices I’ve made.”
Sean closed his eyes and let out a long breath. “You have no idea how happy I am to hear you say that.”
Well, that pinched a bit. Was the idea of making love to her so awkward?
That was a dumb question. Of course it was.
But for some reason, not for her. Not anymore.
“So.” She clapped her hands together, trying to erase the vague sense of disappointment. “How about we head to the pub. Drinks on you.”
Sean gave her a lopsided smile. “Okay.”
Back in his car again, the ease between them from earlier in the evening was absent. Oh, he was chatting, even smiling, but there was something off. Probably him feeling embarrassed about trying to seduce her, and her knowing about it.
He should be thrilled he didn’t have to go through with it.
Come to think about it, so should she. So why was she feeling so… empty?
***
“Oh, thank God!” Angie sank to the evil chair and buried her face in her hands.
“I can’t believe that actually worked.”
And just like that her relief turned to arrogance. All this time she’d wanted to keep it simple instead of whispering suggestions and manipulating situations, when in the end, all they needed was a little psychology. Angie looked up at Jack standing in front of the orange custodio and threw him a smug grin. She didn’t know what orange meant—she’d have to look it up in the instruction manual—but it was a pretty color, so she didn’t let it bother her.
“Okay, okay. Psychology won. Happy now?”
“Yes, hearing you say I was right and you were wrong makes me very happy.”
“Whoa hold on there, Angelica, I never said I was wrong.”
Oh, he so said that on purpose! “Do not call me that! You know I hate that name.”
Angels in Seashore Cove (Love and Laugh in Seashore Cove Book 2) Page 16
