TORI STOOD at her bedroom window gazing out at the melon-colored roses that bordered the gazebo steps. Every time she looked outside, she swore she found a new favorite.
“Mind if I come in?”
She turned to see Mallory standing in the doorway. “Only if you brought chocolate.”
Her sister grinned. “As a matter of fact—”
“No way.”
Mallory walked in, laughing, two small fun-size packages of peanut M&M’s in her hand.
“You’ve got to be kidding. Is that all?”
“They’re both for you.”
“Sheesh.”
“You ingrate.” Mallory dropped both small bags in Tori’s hand. “I had to mug two trick-or-treaters for these.”
“I apologize. You’re the best sister in the world.” Tori sighed and tore open one of the bags, at the corner, so she could dump the candies directly into her mouth.
Mallory went to the window and looked out. “He hasn’t been here all week.”
“I didn’t figure he would be. You want some of these?”
“No, thanks. Have you tried calling him?”
“Of course not. Why would I do that?”
Mallory snorted and turned away from the window. “And they say you’re the brighter sister.”
“No one says that.”
“Come on, everyone says that. Not that I care. I proved I’m smarter. You don’t see me going to the office every day.”
Tori laughed. It felt good. She hadn’t done that much during the past week. And then she sighed and popped a couple more M&M’s into her mouth. “Where’s Richard?”
“I have no idea.” Mallory sat on the edge of her bed and bounced a few times. “You need a new mattress.”
“That’s Mother’s problem. I’m moving out in two weeks. I signed a lease for an apartment last night.”
“Damn it. I can’t believe you told her without me being there.”
“Chill out. I haven’t told her yet.”
“Oh.” Mallory smiled. “Good. The day’s looking up.”
Tori sat next to her sister. “How’s your house coming?”
“Richard thinks we’ll be able to move in by the tenth. Of course he’ll be gone again. Hong Kong this time, I think. So I’ll have to coordinate everything.”
“How can you stand him being gone so much? Can’t Dad send someone else sometimes? Richard can’t be that indispensable.”
“I don’t mind that he’s gone. Really. I’ve just rejoined Junior League. I’ll have plenty to do.”
Tori stared at her sister, not a trace of resentment or unhappiness in Mallory’s face, and Tori finally got it. Mallory had turned into their mother. Not the snobby part, but she’d traded happiness and love for financial freedom and social standing. The truly sad part was her growing indifference.
“Come on, Tori. Quit looking at me like that.” Mallory nudged her with a shoulder. “It’s not as if I’m unhappy, per se.”
“Do you love Richard?”
“Yes, in my own way. I know I don’t feel the passion toward him as you do with Jake, but he’s a decent man and he works hard and—”
“Don’t bring Jake into this.”
“Somebody has to. Christ, don’t be such a twit.” Mallory got up. In a lower voice she said, “I need a cigarette.” She got to the door. “Just call him. You couldn’t have solved a damn thing standing outside the Four Seasons. Call him. Even if it’s just for closure.”
Tori waited until she’d disappeared and then fell back on her bed and stared at the ceiling. She laughed humorlessly, realizing how freely they’d spoken, the bedroom door open, and Mother lurking God knows where.
And then the word closure echoed in her head and she bit her lip, her eyes getting annoyingly misty. Was that all she wanted from him? Was she that big a coward? Did she want to end up like Mallory? Resigned. Indifferent. Sneaking cigarettes.
Tori briefly closed her eyes. Her sister was an adult. As nasty a habit as smoking was, it was still her choice. She didn’t have to hide it. Screw Mother or Richard or anyone else who didn’t approve.
The thought jolted Tori and she sat up as realization hit her with the force of a tidal wave. What about her choice? She had one. She’d told Jake she didn’t. She’d been furious over his comparing her to a battered woman. So furious she hadn’t gotten the message.
But in concept, he was right. She didn’t like her job. And she hated the way her mother manipulated dinners in order to showcase suitable men, at least men her mother found appropriate. Men Tori normally wouldn’t have more to do with than polite conversation. Yet she stuck around to be subjected over and over again.
Maybe Kathryn had a point that day she’d implied Tori might be throwing too much of herself into Beth’s problems as a way for Tori to avoid her own. Kathryn hadn’t actually come out and said that’s what she thought Tori was doing. She was far too smart. Tori’s defenses would have risen so quickly the message would have been lost forever.
God, but she admired and envied Kathryn. The woman had given up so much. But she’d made the decision and never looked back.
Tori’s pulse rate accelerated. Kathryn’s words had haunted her for days. She wanted to be happy, too. That couldn’t be asking for too much. Didn’t she deserve happiness?
Hands shaking, she got out her laptop.
To: The Gang at Eve’s Apple
From: Angel@EvesApple.com
Subject: xxx
Hi, Guys. I know I haven’t written for a week. Lots of stuff has happened, including a big blowup with Jake (yes, that’s his real name). By the way, my name is Victoria (Tori) Whitford. I live in Houston and I’m probably the biggest coward and idiot this side of the Mississippi.
I lied. It wasn’t just about sex with Jake. That probably lasted only till the second time I was with him. I fell hard. I got scared because he didn’t fit into my plan. I finally figured out that I’ve never had a plan. My parents had one for me. One I’ve always despised. But I’ve been too big a chicken to admit it even to myself.
After I write and send this e-mail, I’m going to call Jake. If he doesn’t answer his phone, I’m going to drive to his father’s house and get his address. Whether he likes it or not, we are going to talk. Which will hopefully evolve into something else after I tell him how much I love and adore him.
<<Big sigh>> I feel better already.
I love you guys, too. Next time I write I hope it’s with really good news.
Love,
Tori.
She reviewed the e-mail, and then went back and deleted her last name. This was therapeutic enough without her blabbing everything. She hit Send, closed her laptop and grabbed her purse. The doorbell rang as she got near the top of the spiral staircase, so she rerouted herself toward the servants’ stairs that led to the kitchen.
Just as she left the last step, she heard her mother calling to her. Tempted as she was to ignore her and slip out the back door, Tori moved closer to the hallway to listen. She never had visitors.
Her heart raced. Was that Jake’s voice?
“I’m sorry. Apparently she isn’t in,” she heard her mother say, and Tori hesitated only long enough to take a deep steadying breath.
“I’m here,” she said, and hurried into the foyer.
“Oh.” Her mother looked from her back to Jake, giving him an icy stare.
He wore jeans, not too faded, and a black polo shirt, along with his ever-present cowboy boots.
“Hey.” She smiled.
“Hi, Victoria.”
“Come in.”
Her mother stepped back to allow Jake entrance. She squinted at him. “You were at the dinner last weekend.”
“Yes, how are you Mrs. Whitford?”
“I know you…” she said, frowning in confusion.
“You should,” Tori said, gesturing for Jake to follow her. “His father has worked here for over twenty years. He’s practically part of the family.” At her mother’s appalled look, she tried not to laugh. “Don’t you have a brunch to go to?”
Her brows rose in indignation, and then her gaze fell pointedly to the purse and keys Tori still held in her hand. Tori met Jake’s eyes and said, “I had an errand to run. But he’s here.”
His lips slowly started to curve into that wonderful sexy smile she’d missed all week. She couldn’t take her eyes off him.
“Sorry I dropped by without calling,” he said.
“That’s okay. Mother was just leaving.” She smiled at her mother who brusquely tucked her purse under her arm and headed for the door. “Let’s go into the library.”
She led the way, unbelievably nervous knowing he was right behind her. She had so much to tell him, and she had no idea how he’d take it. The fact that he was here at all was a good sign.
Wasn’t it?
Panic overtook good sense. Maybe he’d seen her name on his caller ID and had come to tell her to stop bothering him. Or maybe he wanted to go back to having no-strings-attached sex. The thought stung.
She preceded him into the library and swallowed hard. No more being a coward. She’d tell him exactly what she wanted. And if he laughed in her face, then she’d just have to accept the rejection and humiliation.
He closed the door behind them, and anxious to say her piece, she turned around. Before she could open her mouth, his arms slid around her.
“Do you have any idea how much I’ve missed you?” he whispered, his warm minty breath dancing across her chin.
“Oh, Jake. I have so much to say to you.”
“It can wait.” He kissed her, gently at first, his hunger growing until she finally had enough wits to pull away.
She struggled for breath. “No, it can’t.”
He drew his head back in surprise, but keeping her in his arms, stared, waiting for her to continue.
“I don’t want it to be about sex anymore.”
His gaze narrowed slightly.
“I want to see you. I want to see if we have something going. I want—” She swallowed hard. “I love you, and if you can’t handle that, then you need to tell me now.”
He grinned. “If you could only be that forceful with your father about your job you’d—”
She shoved at his chest. “I just told you the most important news of my entire life and you’re talking about my father.”
He pulled her close again, and she had to tilt her head back to look at him. “It’s news to you. Not me.”
“What?”
“We both fell in love at the beach. But we were too stubborn or scared to take the next step.”
“We did?”
“Deep down, don’t you know that?” He smiled and touched the tip of her nose. “You were right about me. I made a lot of assumptions about you. Most of them wrong.”
“You weren’t alone.”
“A small consolation.” He winced. “That night at the dinner when your mother asked why she hadn’t seen me at other functions, I told her I usually just send a check. Which is true. And she gave me this knowing wink and said how she preferred to do the same. I didn’t think much about it until I saw your name on the program later.” He shook his head. “Hell, you’re in there getting your hands dirty, and really making a difference.”
“Hey, stop it.”
“I admire that, Victoria. I admire you for stepping in. You don’t sit in your ivory tower.”
She looped her arms around his neck. “I admire the way you kiss me. But the memory is getting a little fuzzy it’s been so long.”
One side of his mouth went up before he met her lips, slowly nibbling and tasting, making her knees weak.
Finally, she was the one who retreated. “Question?”
He raised his brows.
“Where do you see yourself a month from now?” she asked, not quite ready to ask the tough question.
“Hmm…let’s see…” He frowned, but a grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. “The beach house. It might be a little cold but we’ll have a fireplace.”
Her heart lifted.
“What about you?” His gaze held hers.
“Well, I’m not sure. After I have a talk with my father, I may be unemployed.”
“Not for long.” Respect gleamed in his eyes. “Not a bright lady like you.”
She moistened her lips. “Scary stuff.”
“I’ll be with you all the way.”
“I know,” she whispered. “I know.”