by D. A. Young
Darby closed his eyes and prayed for the good Lord to give him strength. Thou shall not covet another man’s…
Quietly he chuckled as he smoothed Ruby’s dress back down. He tossed the dirty diaper into a nearby trashcan and applied sanitizer to his hands before picking her up and turning around. “No, she’s good for us. Ain’t that right, honey pie?” Darby crooned, bringing the baby close to his face. He was rewarded with the baby trying to bite his nose. “If you do that, how am I gonna be able to smell your delightful diapers, Ms. Ruby?”
Avery smiled, easily picturing him with his own brood of red-haired kids. Again silence stretched between them, and she wished she could trade places with Ruby who was now snuggled into her uncle’s broad chest, drifting off to sleep contentedly.
“You clean up well,” Avery said, gesturing to his tux. During the ceremony it was all she could do to keep from staring at him outright as he stood across from her. The only one to wear a black cowboy hat, Darby was breathtakingly handsome. He’d since ditched the hat to one of Noelle’s nephews and his slicked back hairstyle made her think of old-school actors like Cary Grant.
“Awww, shucks. I was just trying to keep up with the prettiest girl in the room,” he drawled, flashing a dazzling smile. She blushed, and Darby wondered for the hundredth time how Avery kept getting prettier and prettier every time he saw her. He could tell she’d lost a little bit of weight and wondered if it had to do with the bougie dickweed that was responsible for the ring on her finger. His eyes slid down to the gold band with a two carat diamond in the center. The ring was too plain for someone as bright and vivacious as Avery. If she were his woman…his jaw clenched as he reminded himself that she wasn’t— and it was best he didn’t forget it.
“Are you excited about the pop-up shop this summer in the Hamptons?” Avery asked curiously. Americana Traditions was doing so well that they decided to open shop in East New York. Due to prior commitments, only Guy was available, so Darby decided to tag along. They would be residing there this summer, and since they hired On a Whim to plan all their events, Avery would be joining them as soon as her new office manager was trained.
Darby rolled his eyes and groaned. “Now you know schmoozing with uppity, rich folks ain’t my thing. I’d much rather chill on a boat fly fishin’ with cold beer. When are we supposed to be goin’ house huntin’?”
Avery looked at him in surprise. “Oh, I thought you knew that we’re all staying together at my parents’ house in Southampton. It’s close to the beach and shops. There’s more than enough room for all of us. You can even bring someone if you like.”
She blushed furiously at his penetrating stare. Why did she say that? Because you’re supposedly so happy, and you want everyone you care about to be happy too, her conscience taunted.
“I can bring someone, huh?” Darby asked casually. His stomach knotted with jealousy as a thought occurred to him. “Is that what you plan on doin’?”
Avery wanted the floor to open up and swallow her right about now. “No! I mean...no. Pierce is actually working on the west coast this summer, and we’ll meet up if our schedules permit. We both understand that we have a lot on our plates right now. Understanding is really important in making a relationship work, don’t you agree?”
Instead of responding, Darby glanced down at her hands. “So I guess congratulations are in order,” he said gesturing, towards her left hand and watching as she covered the ring by nervously clasping her hands tightly together.
“Oh, yeah thanks,” Avery said awkwardly. “Guess he finally saw the light.”
Darby didn’t crack his usual easygoing smile; he just regarded her with some unfathomable emotion in his dark green eyes as he swayed side to side with Ruby sleeping on his shoulder. They smiled at each other as the baby exhaled a gentle snore.
“Why don’t I take her?” Avery suggested coming forward with her arms outstretched. “You haven’t eaten a thing all night.” At his raised eyebrow, she bit her bottom lip. Damn, now she’d been busted keeping tabs on him “Go get yourself something to eat, please. It’s way too quiet between Casey and Sidra. I’m expecting fireworks at any minute, and I’ll need your strength to keep them from ruining this perfect day,” she finished teasingly.
Darby raised his eyes to the ceiling above them. Earlier he’d seen Casey take Sidra by the hand and lead her up the stairs. He muttered, “You don’t know the half of it.”
He was enveloped in Avery’s flowery perfume as he placed Ruby in her arms. Darby smiled as she closed her eyes and held the baby, inhaling her special baby scent with a dreamy smile lighting up her gorgeous face. She’s a natural, he thought. Darby could easily see her with a swollen belly, radiating a pregnancy glow. A sense of peace filled the room as they silently enjoyed one another’s company.
Avery’s biological clock was ticking so loudly; she was surprised Darby couldn’t hear it. This was heaven on earth: spending time with her precious goddaughter and Darby, Avery thought. Her eyes flew open, and she took a step back from him. O.M.G. What the hell was wrong with her??? Her fiancé was right down the hall and could easily have come looking for her. It was time to go, she thought with great reluctance. But she couldn’t just yet. Although nothing had ever transpired between them, she felt like she owed Darby some sort of explanation.
His calls were the only thing that kept Avery sane during the challenging time of running the business solo and watching over Noelle. He was a breath of fresh air in comparison to Pierce, who called her constantly, whining about when she was coming home or that he couldn’t find something. With Darby it was so different. They’d talked about current events, favorite shows, and their bucket lists. He alternated between laughing with her and cursing his brother on Noelle’s behalf as Avery aided her through that dark period.
“Darby, I-” she started to speak, but stopped when he slowly shook his head, also aware that the spell was broken. For a moment he’d allowed himself to believe that she was his girl, and Ruby was their baby. Stupid, stupid, stupid him! The good girls weren’t for him and never would be. Would he never learn?
“You don’t owe me any explanations. Just be happy, Ms. Avery,” he said seriously. “Not everyone gets to be.”
She watched him walk towards the door and had to swallow the rising protest in her throat. He paused in the doorway without turning around.
“That song I was singing?” Darby asked his hands in his pockets. He wouldn’t, or couldn’t, look back because he knew without a doubt that if he did, he would kiss her like he’d dreamed of doing since the first time he laid eyes on her.
“Yes, I’m familiar with it,” Avery said softly as she held Ruby tightly to stop herself from running after him. The baby made a slight whimper and Avery kissed her curls, murmuring soothing sounds to her as she waited for Darby to speak.
“Anytime, Ms. Avery. Anytime,” he said gently before walking out and leaving her craving more of him.
Epilogue
Vivienne Romankov sipped her champagne and watched as her youngest godson slipped away with Sidra. Well I’ll be damned, she thought in amusement. It was about damn time that boy loosened up and had some fun. Ms. Thang would certainly keep him on his toes. She turned away, careful to keep her gaze averted from across the room where she could feel the heat emanating from the laser-like stare HE had trained on her.
Desire unfurled slowly in her like a dormant genie finally being awakened; proving that after all these years, she still wasn’t immune to his big, virile, Russian ass and probably never would be, damn him. A familiar tinkling laugh caught her attention, and she glanced to the right to see her daughter who’d avoided her as successfully as she had Alexei all night, laughing with Holt before going to join all the single women on the floor dying to catch the bride’s bouquet.
Vivienne’s grip on her glass tightened, recognizing the attraction between the two of them. The last thing she wanted was for her baby to be trapped in this godforsaken town with its deep secrets an
d evil residents. The laugh came again, and she flinched when Kat caught the bouquet. No, no, no, she thought frantically while everyone cheered. Her daughter brought it up to her face for a sniff, batting her eyelashes at Holt who looked like he wanted to ravish her on the spot. Alarmed, Vivienne turned around instinctively seeking Alexei’s gaze to see what he thought of the whole thing, but he was no longer there.
Although disappointed, she recognized it for what it was— a sign for her to get the hell up out of Dodge while she still could. The cat and mouse game he’d played all day with her had strained her nerves to the breaking point; but she’d be damned if she let anyone see her sweat. Swiftly she made her way towards the exit.
“Coast finally cleared eh?” Ian asked, eyes filled with mirth and nibbling on a canapé as he blocked her way. He looked quite dashing in his navy blue suit, his long, silver hair in his signature man bun atop his head. She stopped and gave him a look known to make grown men cry, but he appeared unperturbed, shrugging his shoulders and offering her a nibble.
“Bite me, Gandalf,” Viv said affectionately, leaning in to kiss his offered cheek. “Brunch this Sunday at the usual spot?”
“But of course, my dear,” he, said squeezing her waist and looking over her shoulder. Vivienne turned to follow his warm gaze that was focused on Noelle holding Ruby. Jack had his arms wrapped around both of them. They were surrounded by well-wishers laughing and smiling. For the mother and son dance, he’d spun her around the dance floor to Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me”, and Noelle danced with her father and then Ian to The Temptations “My Girl” and Coldplay’s “Yellow”. Vivienne’s heart swelled with love, so happy for her boy and his family. It almost put her in a forgiving mood. Almost.
“You know that our girl is dancing up in heaven, feeling all the love and joy down here, right?” she asked in a choked-up voice, blinking back tears.
Ian cleared his own throat and squeezed her harder, wanting to say more, but feared becoming emotional as well. Instead he said noncommittally, “Better hurry up, Cinderella. Midnight will be upon you soon.”
Vivienne swatted his arm with her beaded clutch and continued on towards the exit, turning one last time to look at her baby girl dancing in the big Swede’s arms. Oh how she wanted to snatch her away and never let her go! With a sigh, she continued on her way. Tomorrow she would strategize; tonight was for conceding cowardice and fleeing.
As she exited the building and hurried down the steps to her black limo, again there was the brief sense of disappointment that she would not be seeing Alexei. It really was for the best, she told herself resolutely, smiling at the driver holding the door open for her.
“Thanks. I need to get to the airport, ASAP,” Vivienne told him crisply and slid into the car. The faster she could put miles between them the better. She stiffened in awareness, registering that she was not alone as the scent of expensive cigars, vetiver, citrus, and something woodsy assailed her senses. Seated across from her, oozing more masculinity and sex appeal than any middle-aged man had a right to, was her insanely handsome, estranged husband; the man that she’d successfully managed to avoid for the last eighteen years.
Alexei Romankov leaned forward in his seat. Triumph gleamed in his gorgeous, blue eyes as he grinned at her, displaying his brilliant, white teeth which were a stark contrast to his deeply tanned skin. The black waves falling across his forehead were streaked lightly with silver as was his neatly-shaped beard. He was too damn good-looking for his own good and hers, she thought resentfully, feeling her pulse quickening as she allowed herself the pleasure of drinking up the site of him. His tux fit his big body to perfection, and he looked exactly like what he was, a rich as Midas bastard that expected everyone to jump and do his bidding.
“What’s your hurry, Vivi?” he asked in that deep accented baritone that still made her knees weak and panties wet. Damn, damn, damn! She was in big trouble.
THE END
