Unexpected Chances (8 page)

She walked inside and set the cups down on the table. “I like the atmosphere,” she said softly, grateful for the thoughtful gesture.

He grinned. “I did the best with what I had.” He toyed with the ribbon on the small box, rubbing the satin back and forth between his fingers, in the same way he’d massaged certain parts of her body with gentle yet arousing care.

She swallowed hard, searching for a distraction. “What’s in the box?”

“Part of your Christmas gift.”

“It’s early! I didn’t know we were going to exchange gifts tonight. Mine isn’t even wrapped yet.” She got something special for him when they’d separated the day they’d been in Boston. She hadn’t decided when to give it to him.

He stood and grasped her hand, pulling her down beside him on the couch. “I want you to have this and I don’t want anything from you in exchange.”

“Not even if it’s the watch you were eyeing in the store window?” She tipped her head to the side and looked at him through not-so-innocent eyes.

He shook his head. “You noticed that? Man, you are something else. Want to know what my—what Melanie got me for Christmas last year?”

She stiffened, but he held on tightly to her hands. “No, but something tells me you’re going to tell me anyway.”

“She bought me a weekend for two at a spa. Seaweed wraps, facials and full-body massages.” He grimaced, his disgust with her gift evident even now, a year later.

Holly burst out laughing, her nerves over the mention of Melanie giving way to complete shock and amusement. “She really doesn’t know you at all.”

“No, she doesn’t. Not like we know each other.” He held out the gift box. “It’s sentimental, not expensive,” he said, his voice dropping low. His tone held a hint of embarrassment.

She couldn’t help but smile. “I’m not looking for anything expensive. I wasn’t looking for anything at all.”

“I know, but this is something I want you to have.” He rose and began pacing the room. Obviously something was on his mind, so she set the box aside until he could explain.

“About a month ago, I dreamed about you. Nothing unusual—I always dream about you.”

Her breath caught in her throat. “You do?”

“Yeah. That time, I dreamed about us exchanging gifts on Christmas Eve, and I was determined to make that dream come true again. As soon as possible.”

Despite her resolve to remain strong, her throat swelled and her heart began pounding hard in her chest. “So you really came back for me?”

“I told you I did.” He jerked his head towards his gift. “Open it.”

She did as he asked, untying the bow and ripping off the paper. The white box was generic without a hint of what was inside. Curious, she pulled off the top and peeked inside. Her breath caught in her throat, and she lifted the gift gently in her hands.

“The angel I bought your family for their tree,” she said, memories swamping her. “You’re giving it back to me?”

He knelt beside her. “It’s all in how you look at things, babe. I want you to hold on to this and think of why I’d give it to you, okay? How it could impact
us
.” He took the angel from her hand and placed it on the table.

Then he swept her into his arms and into the bedroom.

*     *     *

Christmas Day, Holly awoke feeling warm and sated, and she tingled all over. She’d never felt as cherished and cared for as she had when Dylan had made love to her last night.

She closed her eyes and let herself remember. His warm body melding with hers, his eyes warm and giving. Most of all, she recalled the absolute feeling of fulfillment as he came inside her.

She rolled over to glance at the clock on the nightstand, but the first thing she saw was her angel instead. They’d never put it on the tree, she thought. That was something they’d get to later on, she hoped, because she already sensed Dylan had left again this morning. Knowing Dylan, since he was home for a short visit, she felt sure he’d gone to see his mother.

She felt just as certain he’d be back.

Lying alone in her bed gave her time to think, maybe for the first time since Dylan’s surprise visit to her office. As she let
all
her feelings wash over her, her first thought wasn’t of Dylan, but of John. It wasn’t so much guilt she felt as a heaviness in her heart because he was a wonderful man. But there would be time to deal with her feelings for John soon enough. Right now, she had a rare morning off and she intended to enjoy it by lounging in bed and not thinking of problems or possible solutions.

She reached for the television remote and turned on one of the morning shows, caught one segment, then dozed through the weather. She woke up again just as an entertainment reporter was dishing on the latest buzz from Hollywood.

She watched the list of stars who celebrated birthdays and heard the latest scandals before a picture on the screen caught Holly’s attention. Actress Melanie Masterson’s beautiful face flashed before Holly’s eyes.

Curious despite herself, and compelled to watch, she sat up straighter in bed and raised the volume.

“Ms. Masterson issued a statement through her publicist announcing a New Year’s Day wedding to her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Dylan North,” the reporter said.

Holly pulled her knees up and wrapped her arms around her legs.

“Neither Dylan North nor his representative was available for comment, but this reporter happened to see them at a party earlier this year and they were glued together. Whatever caused their breakup obviously wasn’t serious enough to keep them apart in the coming year. Diane, back to you.”

Holly shook her head. “No way,” she said to the television screen.

Melanie might be beautiful, but she didn’t understand Dylan, not the way Holly did. And though Dylan loved his career, he wouldn’t settle for a shadow of the type of woman he wanted. Then there was the fact that he’d been in Holly’s bed last night. Not Melanie’s. The other woman obviously had an agenda. Still, Dylan wasn’t here with Holly now, and this unsettling news did nothing to relax her.

She’d lost her luxurious morning in bed, and she yanked the comforter down, rose from bed and headed for the kitchen. If nothing else, coffee would get her day back on track.

No sooner had she reached the kitchen when her house phone rang, and she snatched up the receiver. “Hello?”

“Hi, babe.”

On hearing Dylan’s voice, her spirits soared. “Dylan!”

“Good morning,” he said gruffly.

She felt herself smile. “Good morning to you, too.”

“Do you have any idea how much I wanted to be there when you woke up?”

His deep voice caused a distinct warmth to settle low in her stomach. “I think I can imagine. Why’d you leave so early?”

“I went to see my mother. We have so little time, and I knew she’d appreciate a quick Christmas visit. I planned on being back before you even woke up. But—”

She gripped the receiver tight in her hand. “But what?”

“I got a call and I have to catch a flight to L.A. I’m at the airport now.”

Her stomach, which had just fluttered with warmth and desire, now plummeted in disappointment. “Does it have to do with Melanie?” she asked coolly, deliberately keeping any emotion out of her voice.

“Not in the way you think. It has more to do with the movie role.”

Holly drew a deep breath and tried to understand. “The role you decided not to take? Or did you change your mind?”

“No, I didn’t change my mind, but the director isn’t someone I want to alienate, and my agent suggested we meet with him right away and discuss it face-to-face. When I factor in travel time, I needed to leave today to make the meeting tomorrow.”

She nodded. “And Melanie?”

“Wants me to take the role, and she’ll do anything to get me back to L.A. to convince me,” he said grimly.

“Including announcing a New Year’s wedding?” Holly asked.

He muttered a succinct curse. “You know about that?”

“It was on the morning news.”

His voice was cut off by an airport announcement. “What did you say?” she asked.

“My plane’s boarding. I said to remember what I told you about believing newspaper articles.” She heard the pleading tone in his voice.

“I remembered.” She let out a strained laugh.

“I have to go, but Holly?”

She shut her eyes and leaned against the wall. “Yeah?”

“I love you, and I
will
be back.”

“Bye, Dylan.” For Holly, the trick was to find the strength and courage to believe him.

SIX

H
olly skipped breakfast and spent the rest of the morning playing Santa, dropping gifts off for friends and family, taking her time before returning home. When the doorbell rang, it caught her by surprise.

“Hi, Nicole.” Holly forced a smile.

“That’s a really grumpy ‘hi’ on Christmas! Good thing I came with something to make you smile.” Nicole strode inside, carrying a large shopping bag.

“Let’s go sit.” Holly gestured towards the family room. “I stopped by your apartment, but you weren’t home,” she said as they settled in.

“That’s because I was coming here.” Nicole curled her legs Indian style beneath her, making herself at home.

Gesturing to the bag, she said, “I wanted to find a way to thank you for being so good to me since I moved here. So I made you this.” She reached into the bag and pulled out a gorgeous, handmade blanket in a variety of earth-tone colors to match Holly’s family room.

“Oh, I
love
it. Thank you.” Holly hugged her friend tight, “That was so thoughtful. I didn’t know you knit!”

“My grandmother taught me.”

Holly smiled. “Well, I have your present right here.” She jumped up and pulled Nicole’s gift from beneath her tree. “It’s store bought and practical,” she said sheepishly. “And nothing as beautiful as this.” She fingered the soft wool, curling it between her fingers.

Nicole opened a box and pulled out a Tiffany key ring with her initial. On the key ring was a key to the office. “I thought you’d want more freedom to come and go as you please once you have the title of office manager,” Holly said, hoping her friend would be pleased with the gifts.

Nicole’s eyes grew wide. “Me? Office manager?”

Holly nodded. “With my new partner starting soon and him bringing in his patients from the next town over, we need a full-fledged manager. I talked to Lance—Dr. Tollgate—and he agreed to a promotion and a raise. Merry Christmas,” she told her friend.

Nicole squealed and hugged Holly tight. “You’re the best. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Okay, now that the gifts are over, where’s the man?” Growing serious, she glanced around the room, obviously looking for Dylan.

“He’s in L.A. Or should I say on his way back to L.A.”

Nicole frowned. “That snake. I thought you had more time together.”

“Something came up.”

“You seem okay with it?” Nicole tipped her head to the side, questioning.

“It’s not like I have a choice. Look, he lives in L.A. His career is there. His life is there. Mine is here. It’s not like we could make a relationship work anyway. Assuming he even wanted something serious.”

“Does he?”

“I don’t know.”

“Do you?”

Holly stood and arranged the blanket over one end of the couch. The colors complemented the room beautifully, and she smiled. “This is gorgeous.”

“And you’re avoiding my question.”

Holly laughed. “That’s my prerogative, isn’t it?”

Nicole rolled her eyes. “You’re going to have to figure things out eventually or you’ll make yourself crazy. I need to get going.” She rose and started for the door, and Holly followed. “What are you doing for dinner?”

“No real Christmas plans. Want to come back here and we’ll have girls’ night?”

“Now that’s the best offer I’ve had in a long time.” Nicole hugged her tight. “What about this afternoon?”

“I need to see John.”

Nicole sighed in understanding. “I don’t envy you.”

“I owe him answers.” And she owed herself a lot more.

It was time to face her fears once and for all.

*     *     *

Later that day, Holly drove to John’s and knocked on his door.

He greeted her warmly, looked into her eyes and said, “Why do I have the distinct feeling you aren’t here with the news I was hoping for?”

She studied him with a fresh, new perspective. His gorgeous green gaze and handsome face would have a smarter woman than her swooning. God, she wished she were smarter because then her life would be so much less complicated.

“Can we talk?” she asked.

He gestured inside with a sweep of his arm, and once they were seated on the leather couch in his spacious den, Holly mustered her courage. “You’re such a good man,” she said softly.

“But you don’t love me.”

She shook her head. “Not the way you deserve.” And the signs had been there all along. She had never given to him physically or emotionally the way she gave herself to Dylan. Oh, she had tried hard to convince herself she could love John, but the truth is she didn’t. She couldn’t.

She loved Dylan, and no other man would do. “I’m just so sorry it took me so long to—”