Serenity tossed and turned in her empty, cold bed. The night was the worst. Every time she moved under her sheets, she missed the feeling of Damien beside her, though she'd never tell him. She opened her eyes and sat up, still tired.
In her dreams, she’d tasted his kiss on her lips. She stretched to relieve the ache in her chest and got out of bed to look out the window, searching for calm. The swaying palm trees rustled with wind from a small tropical storm.
She shut the blinds and walked away. Work always helped. She quickly got ready in silence, choosing an ice blue skirt with a darker blue t-shirt, and deciding to have tea in her office because right now her condo felt cold and dead.
Outside the warm breeze didn't help the frozen feeling in her heart. She hailed a car to take her to Calm Serenity and realized that she had three voice mails from last night.
Damien had called.
The warmth that raced through her heart pumped adrenaline as she hopped in the backseat of the car. She told herself that this reaction had nothing to do with seeing his name on her phone.
She tucked it in her pocket and stared out the window as the driver took her to the entrance. She nodded, typed a tip on her phone, and got out.
Her spa was still dark when she let herself in, but she didn't mind. She didn't bother with the lights in the lobby, but as she made her way to her office, she noticed that Kiwi's light was already on. At the last minute, she knocked on her door and let herself in.
Kiwi, dressed in her black spa uniform for the day, stood from her desk and opened her arms to hug her. “How’s married life?”
Serenity went toward her, opened her arms and asked, "Do you have a minute?"
"I'm surprised you're here, Serenity." Kiwi sat at her desk after their hug.
Serenity pulled the black modern leather seat toward the desk. "Why? I work here."
She’d have to tell Kiwi how she’d already messed up her baby’s life.
Her friend lifted two contracts, both with the name Morgan on the letter head. She crossed her arms. "Shouldn't you be on your honeymoon?"
If anyone would understand, it would be her friend. Serenity hugged her waist. "We didn't go. I'm getting divorced."
Kiwi's lips parted as she stared at her with those brown eyes of hers. "Don't tell me you're upset about your sister. She doesn't deserve that power."
Serenity shook her head fast and embraced the adrenaline fully in her system. "It's not about Serena."
Kiwi leaned closer. "What is it then?"
Damien's kiss still tingled on her lips from her dream last night and the baby in her belly deserved happiness. How to explain? She let her hands fall to her side, but she kept her gaze down. "It's me. I shouldn't have married him. I went in with the wrong intentions."
The sound in Kiwi's throat said without words she didn't believe that this was the whole truth. Kiwi instead said, "I thought you were keeping an open mind?"
Her heartbeat grew faster and she adjusted the collar of her blue t-shirt. "I tried."
Kiwi stood, but then looked over her and toward the front door. Serenity turned and saw vases of bright red roses being brought out of a delivery van. Kiwi dragged Serenity back through the dark lobby, flipping on the lights. Serenity went toward the door. "There are flowers being delivered before 8 in the morning and we both know they're not for me."
They left the office and went into the foyer for the spa. The water fountain splashed and gurgled. "Why would they be-"
Kiwi let the delivery guy in, signed for the flowers, showed her the card and handed her the bouquet. "The card says 'I'm sorry, Serenity. Damien.'"
But he hadn’t done anything wrong. Not really. He didn’t need to apologize. She hugged it to her chest and for a second let the sweet scent wash through her. "Damien shouldn't have done this."
Kiwi made a face that seemed like she disagreed but she let the delivery guy out. "Seems to me he doesn’t want a divorce."
What if he’d said I love you? The thought paralyzed her though her blood flow increased from her heart. She stepped back and her eyes must have bugged out of her face because Kiwi gave her a strange look. Serenity shook her head. "I can't."
They walked back to Kiwi's office though Serenity held the bouquet of flowers to her nose. If Damien wanted to speak, perhaps she should listen. He was a good man, underneath. She almost tripped on her left foot but caught the corner wall.
Kiwi seemed not to notice her clumsiness. "Look, this might be a bad time but two different Morgans have offered me a high paying job."
The papers on her desk. If she lost her best friend, she’d be devastated, but Kiwi deserved to be happy. They walked in and Serenity left her vase of roses on the side table. "What? Who?"
Kiwi picked up one of the two piles and handed it to Serenity. "Victoria Morgan, through Caro, has offered me a chance to be a shoe designer. She adored your shoes at the wedding, and before that, on the yacht for Peter’s wedding. You know I love shoes."
Her friend was creative and had customers already through the spas contacts. A professional contract would make the most sense. "Wow, that's great."
Kiwi hitched a hip on her desk and showed Serenity the other offer. "Peter Morgan saw how I kept your books and helped you grow Calm Serenity from one spa to multiple. He thinks I'd do well in his bank empire."
If she was to lose her best business partner, her best friend, she hoped it was so that Kiwi would follow her dreams. Serenity put the banking offer down beside her fast. "No, Kiwi."
Kiwi bit on her lower lip and lowered her head. "Look, I've always said money mattered but friendship matters too. Would you be okay if I left here? I’ll train someone before I go so you’re not in a lurch."
Nothing on earth would be better as long as Kiwi followed her heart and not her wallet, though Serenity had no idea how to manage her spas once she left. "Yes, of course. Kiwi, I hope you go for the shoes and follow your passion, not your wallet and clear talent in accounting."
Kiwi flipped her curly hair. "I thought you'd say that. Caro set up a tour for me to see the facilities in Miami."
They both looked up as three more delivery men entered Calm Serenity. Kiwi stood at her door. "There are more flowers."
"This is too much." Serenity signed for all of them, her mind whirling.
Kiwi accepted one of the bouquets and scanned the card. Once the delivery men left, Kiwi handed the card over. "Read this."
Have dinner with me tonight. Damien. Serenity's heart beat faster than she thought possible. Perhaps she should listen to his phone messages now—she hadn’t wanted to hear his voice, knowing it would be painful. She closed her eyes and recalled Damien’s broad shoulders and dark hair as he’d swept her around the dance floor the night of Peter and Belle’s wedding, after he’d saved her life. She opened her eyes and saw Kiwi instead. She shook her head. "I shouldn't. I told him I wanted a divorce. He should be angry at me."
“Clearly he doesn’t want a divorce.” Another delivery person walked through the glass doors of her spa. Kiwi pushed for her to speak while she said, "I get the feeling the gifts will continue until you agree to dinner."
The delivery person held a black box and asked, "Mrs. Serenity Morgan?"
Technically she was, despite her departure from the mansion. Her skin was electric, but she took the pen from the delivery man to sign. "Yeah, I guess that's me."
"Please sign here." He handed her the box.
She held a heavy but small box that clearly came from a designer jeweler. Instead of opening it, she grasped it in her palm.
Kiwi asked, "What is it?"
If she opened it and liked it, was she that easily bought? Serenity put the gift on the lobby counter. Kiwi picked it up and shook it. "It feels like jewelry."
It probably was and it was probably gorgeous. She took the package and ripped off the paper that hid the box. "Let me open it."
The word Bvlgari appeared and she knew without a doubt that what waited inside was top rate. She flipped it open and her eyes felt blinded from the spectacle. The matching set of diamond earrings, necklace and bracelet belonged at the highest level of society functions. She turned the box and showed Kiwi while her eyes adjusted to normal light again. "It's a diamond necklace. I can't possibly wear this. It's way too large."
Kiwi looked beyond the necklace and picked up the small card. "Read the note."
She was clearly a “read the card before opening the present” personality. Serenity read Damien's note, For dinner tonight, I need you. Please wear this small token. Damien
No word of love graced the note or any of them. Serenity warned herself that accepting dinner was a bad idea, but her hands clutched the note to her heart and hope that he might feel something for her sprung. "I shouldn't."
Kiwi touched her arm. "Serenity, are you over him?"
She’d told herself that she didn’t care. But if she felt nothing, none of this would matter so much. The idea of holding his hand while he walked with her next to the Seine in Paris and told her how he grew up played like a dream in her mind. It felt so real. She looked down at the necklace. "No. I intend to drown all feelings until they go away."
Kiwi shook her head, gazed at the blue box and then tilted her head. "Or you become an adult and face what's in your heart. I don't know what happened between you two but it's clear your husband wants to make up."
Another man appeared with a package. Kiwi motioned with her shoulder. "Here comes another one." She straightened her black spa outfit over her bright pink flats with hand-painted blue diamonds and said, "I hope it's earrings."
No need. Serenity knew she held top of the line that didn't belong in a hired car or in her spa. There was no safe place to hold something of this value. The hum in her veins had nothing to do with pride. Or at least she hoped not. "The necklace has a set that matches. I didn't show you?"
Kiwi's lips parted again. "No."
The delivery man asked, "Mrs. Serenity Morgan?"
"Yes, I'll sign." Serenity stood and took the next package which was heavier and hung on a hanger.
She walked over to the counter and held the clothes in her arms along with the jewels.
Kiwi went behind the counter for a better view. "Open it."
Might as well finish seeing everything. She unzipped the House of Morgan designer bag and pulled out the dress to show Kiwi. Her eyes widened. Before she’d fallen into the ocean she'd liked her jeweled, sparkly, short ice blue dress. This was clearly an upgrade as no sparkle seemed cheap. She met her friend's gaze. "It's a dress, like the one I wore to the wedding where we met, though this one is slightly more designer chic."
Kiwi propped her face on the counter and smiled. "Call your husband and agree Serenity. I get the feeling none of this will stop until you do."
If only she could. She put the jewelry on the counter and pulled her phone from her pocket. First, she listened to Damien's message. I missed you Serenity. I'm sorry. I'd like to start over with you. This explained the dress. She swallowed. Kiwi was right. She took the diamonds and jewels to her office. Kiwi didn't say a word while Serenity closed her office door.
Once she was in there, Serenity called Damien back. The moment he said hello, her heart stopped. If she talked too much, she'd appear weak, and that wasn’t the image she wanted to portray. She lifted her chin and imagined his strong jaw as he leaned down to kiss her. "Damien, pick me up at six tonight from the spa. We'll go to dinner."
His deep voice made her melt like chocolate to a flame. "Serenity, I’m so glad you’ve agreed—I look forward to tonight."
"Me too,” she answered quickly. “Goodbye." She ended the call. A small part of her heart was thrilled she’d see him again but it was the part that wanted to stay with him, forever, anyhow.
Tonight, she'd see him again. Every cell in her body was alive. If he loved her, she'd be the happiest woman on the planet. He wasn't perfect, but he’d tried to be better than where he came from. Serenity hugged her waist. There was no denying it. She admitted to herself that somewhere along the line she’d fallen in love with the enemy.