She's Got Dibs (20 page)

“Saturday.”

Two days…
She blinked back a swell of tears. “Honestly, Dibs, I think you enjoy dropping these bombs on me at the last minute.”

He grunted. “I don’t know if I would necessarily call it a
bomb
.”

She closed her eyes and pinched her bottom lip, struggling for control.

“I’m leaving you the car.”

She whirled in her seat a second time. “What?”

He aimed a stern eyebrow at her. “And I want you to promise me that you’ll eat.”

She hopped around to fully face him. “Contrary to popular belief, I’ve taken care of myself just fine for the past twenty-nine years. I don’t need a reminder to eat, and I certainly don’t need your car.”

“But that’s just it. You
don’t
take care of yourself, Rex.”

“And furthermore, if I wanted a car, I would buy a car. I’m perfectly capable of affording one on my own; I just don’t see the need.” She crossed her arms so violently they bounced.
Perfect.

“Look, I’m traveling halfway around the world, and I don’t want to worry about you while I’m gone.”

She slowly turned. “You’re going to Africa, to God knows where in the middle of some jungle, and you’re worried about me.”

He drove in silence for a moment. “Yes.”

“That’s brilliant, Dibs.”

“Let’s just please not fight.” He swung the car into her driveway and jammed the lever into park.

Her building cast an angular shadow across his face, but nothing could hide the tender light in his eyes. Her heart lurched and she fought the craving to fall into his arms, to hang on, and confess all the fears in her heart.

But silence was her only defense…and his absence was the perfect opportunity to restore every wall he’d broken through.

While he was gone, she would return to that place she had endured before he came into her life. And when he returned, she would keep her distance, so she could protect herself. So she wouldn’t experience the inevitable heartbreak when he found himself someone to love.

She cupped his cheek in her palm. “I’m going to miss you, Dibs.”

But to her, those words meant more than he realized.

“I’m going to miss you, too.” He pressed her hand to his cheek before lowering it to his leg. “I’ll call you tomorrow, okay? So I can bring over the car?”

She shook her head, but bit her tongue. She didn’t want to fight, either. Let him think she’d take the car. In the end, it wouldn’t matter.

“Okay.” She squeezed his hand and climbed out.

The Jag’s engine revved, and gravel popped as Dibs pulled from the drive. The distance between them grew, her warm tears keeping pace with each stride of her feet toward the door.

Chapter Ten

The long, sleepless night finally over, Tessa tossed the covers from her legs and prepared to face a new day. Certain rules applied in cases like this, the most important to stay busy, keep her mind occupied. Do whatever was necessary to fill the hollow ache in her chest.

So, every few minutes, whenever thoughts of Dibs crossed her mind, she quickly shoved them aside, hoping sooner or later she would be able to block them entirely.

Dressed in jeans and a cream camisole, she added the cashmere sweater he had purchased their first day at the airport. Frivolous though it seemed, she wanted some part of him with her as she embarked into the future alone.

Still, her motions were sluggish. Her spark of energy had winked into nonexistence. And by the time she arrived at her office, the midmorning sun hung at half mast in the sky…the exact same height as the note Tiffany had left taped to the front door.

Anniversary reminder!

Tessa slumped. She had completely forgotten. She peeled the note off the large glass pane and crumpled it in her fingers. As one of the few perks of owning a business, she and Tiff could set their own holidays. Every year she and Kevin committed to spending the day they met together—no business, no phone calls. No distractions except each other…

A sharp pang of jealousy nailed Tessa right between the breasts, and she clenched her jaw until it passed. They were kidding themselves. No relationship lasted forever. Sooner or later, Tiffany and Kevin would both look back on this day with sad memories.

She entered her office and set straight to work on the BFG Event. Unfortunately, every time the Brenner name appeared, a visual of Dibs flashed in her mind, his low chuckle whispered past her ear. Trying to plot out the catering route over such a constant distraction soon became an exercise in futility. She finally gave up and opted for something less taxing, sat in the middle of the floor, and returned to the task of wrapping truffles for the Sandberg wedding.

As her hands made the same repetitive motions, the quiet afternoon fading to dusk, her thoughts drifted back to the plane ride she had shared with Dibs. Perhaps she’d made the wrong choice, agreeing to their friendship. In hindsight, her decision had been hasty. She’d opened her heart, and now payment was due.

But she couldn’t deny the past few days she’d spent with him had been wonderful. The way he listened to her talk about Michael, took care of her, and bought her all those beautiful flowers. Deep in the vessels of her heart, she just couldn’t regret their time together. To do as much would negate every kindness he’d shown her, and she would never begrudge him that.

The doorbell chimed and she jumped, slapping a hand over her racing heart. For God’s sake, why hadn’t she locked the door?

Adrenaline spiked in her stomach as Dibs crossed reception, a tray of coffees and a large white bag in his hands, the rolled newspaper tucked under one arm. Worn blue jeans encased his long legs, the pockets frayed and the thighs nearly white from use. A black leather jacket hung easy on his shoulders, framing a crisp white T-shirt and fitted, gray V-necked sweater through the unzipped front. He smiled. “Hey, Rex.”

She dropped the scissors and scrambled to her feet. “What are you doing here?”

“I thought we could have a quiet dinner tonight. Just the two of us.” He stopped in the doorway and surveyed the stacked boxes, the paper and ribbons strewn about the floor. “And from the looks of things, I made the right decision.”

She accepted the tray of coffees and jostled it onto her desk. Relief and frustration washed her in waves, quickly trailed by a needling irritation over how his mere presence in the room could make her so flustered.

“Hey, nice sweater.”

Her cheeks heated, and she quickly covered them with her palms.

“Did you see the weekend edition yet?” Amusement sparkled in his eyes as he pulled the newspaper from under his arm. “Page four, entertainment section.”

She stepped over some boxes to behind her desk and shuffled the paper until she located the right section. Splashed in the center of page four was a color photograph of the two of them entering the gallery—him smiling down at her while she laughed up at him. Her heart lurched. Based on those dopey grins, their affection for each other was completely evident. The caption read
Philanthropist David Brenner and Tessa Adams of TNT Entertainment attend the annual Food for the Homeless Benefit in Chicago
. Her stomach shriveled into a hard, tight ball.

“Well, what do you think?” He set the paper bag on her desktop.

“It’s nice.” She flipped the paper closed and tossed it aside.

A hint of uncertainty shadowed his brow. “What’s the matter? Are you mad at me or something?”

“No, no, I’m not mad.” He should go…things would be much easier if he just left.

“Well, I’m getting the distinct impression you’re upset.”

“I’m just surprised to see you, that’s all.” Especially since he’d never called. She assumed he’d made other plans for the evening.

Tantalizing aromas wafted from the white bag and her stomach complained in response. No lunch. She rounded her desk and tore open the stapled flap. “What did you bring?”

“Toasted subs.” Styrofoam squeaked as he worked a coffee from the tray.

One of the warm missiles in hand, she unwrapped the white paper, and crammed the end in her mouth. The mingled flavors of baked cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and Italian turkey exploded on her tongue. Oh, so yummy. She spoke around the crunchy bread. “I’ve gain four pounds since we met.”

He grunted, shrugging off his jacket, gathered the paper from her desk and settled into a chair. “I seriously doubt that.”

Apparently he was staying, regardless of any other responsibilities vying for his time. She plucked a napkin from the bag and reclaimed her spot on the floor. A slurp of coffee and one more bite of her sandwich, and she set the meal aside. “Shouldn’t you be getting ready for your trip?”

“I thought it might be nice to spend the evening together before I leave.” He pushed up the sleeves of his gray sweater, flipped open the financial section, and skimmed the front.

“How does one get to Botswana, anyway?”

“One charters a flight out of Midway airport.” The paper rattled as he shook it open in front of his face.

“What time is your flight?”

“Wheels up at ten.”

Silence settled between them and she resumed the tedious wrapping, and soon the gears in her brain chugged along at their own steady pace. Something wasn’t right. It was too quiet. And an underlying tension percolated in the air. Her eyes lost their focus, her fingers nimbly folding, and a visual of Dibs stuffing that business card into his pocket zeroed into sharp relief in her brain. She bounced the image around a bit, undecided if she should mention it. Perhaps if she approached the topic from the back end…

She waited until he turned the page before peeking at the opened newspaper, his face still hidden from view. “So, did they make any money at the event last night?”

“I heard some poor slob bought that sculpture you liked.”

“Oh, really? Who’s that?”

“Some hotshot. Personally, I think he’s a whack job.”

A corner of the wrapping paper split as she pressed it around a box. She slowly lifted her chin. “You didn’t.”

He folded the newspaper down, pokerfaced. He flipped it back up.

She frantically tried to recall the price. Had $32,000 been stamped under the title? More money than TNT made their first year in business. She lowered her gaze to the ruined wrapping paper and selected a new sheet. “Can I ask what you’re planning to do with it?”

“I thought it might make a nice gift for a friend of mine.”

She snorted. “Must be some good friend.”

“Pretty good. Can be sort of a pain, though. Talks too much. Likes to drink.”

She arched a brow, choosing another box. Just exactly what game was he playing? “You sure this friend of yours would accept such an expensive gift?”

“One can only hope, Rex. Besides, it’s too late now. I can’t return it.”

Okay, fine. She was happy to go along with his little charade. “Seems to me anyone who would accept such a gift might be taking advantage of your generosity. You should really be more careful.”

“I’m confident this friend doesn’t care about my money. In fact, just the opposite. Her feathers get all ruffled whenever I try to pay.”

Tessa taped the paper and set the box aside. “You never know, Dibs. Nice guy like you, it would be real easy to pull a fast one.”

He turned the paper down, studying her from under his brows. “Be nice, Rex.” He shook the paper back up.

“I’m just saying, there are all types out there. You can never be too sure.”

“I’m sure.”

A disobedient smile curved the corners of her lips. “Well, either way, that sculpture is beautiful. I’m sure whoever receives it will absolutely love it.” She leaned over for another box. “Speaking of which…Did you call your new girlfriend yet?”

“What are you blathering on about now?”

“Did you just say ‘blather’? I don’t blather. I’m
talking
about your new girlfriend, from last night.”

He closed the edges of the paper and snapped it open. “I have no idea what you’re
talking
about.”

“The woman at the bar, Dibs. She seemed…nice.”

“What woman at the bar?”

Oh, come on. Did he seriously need her to spell it out for him? “The woman who gave you her business card. Stop being obtuse.”

“Did you say ‘obtuse’? I’m not obtuse.”

As she placed the box in the done pile, a business card landed on the floor in front of her. She whipped her chin up.

“She was a three,” he said. “Not interested.”

A small flame kindled and lit in her heart. That’s why he was here. All this time…Dibs had been paying attention.

Her reaction was wrong on so many levels, but she simply couldn’t help it. Her heart stuttered and swelled with joy. She stood, shredded the business card into a million tiny pieces, and chucked them into her wastebasket.

She ransacked her drawer for another roll of tape before returning to the middle of the floor. “So, anything interesting happening in the financial pages?”

“I’m still rich.”

“I’m very happy for you.”

He folded and tossed the paper to the vacant chair, linked his hands behind his head, and lifted his heels to the edge of her desk. “Are you planning on working all night?”

“I need to make a serious dent in this pile or I’ll never have them done in time.” She crooked a finger for him to put his feet down and his shoes hit the floor. He sat forward, elbows on his knees, and tapped his toes.

“You’re driving me nuts.”

He stood and ambled around her office, picked up her desk clock and checked the time, ruffled a stack of file folders with his thumb. He strolled to the window and pushed one of the slats aside.

Nope. Something was still brewing. “You want to tell me what’s on your mind?” she asked.

He shrugged. “Nothing.”

“You get another invitation to something and want me to tag along?”

“No, no.”

He finally left the window, sat cross-legged opposite her on the floor, and pointed at the stack of boxes. “Okay, give me one.”