Talk of the Town (21 page)

“I have to know,” she burst out in a gasp. “Why do you think he didn’t even wish you a happy birthday?”

Rebecca shrugged like it was meaningless, when in reality he’d disappointed her way out of proportion to what she should be feeling. Obviously he’d taken a step back from the relationship. Hardly a relationship, she reminded herself, a hot, heavy feeling in her chest. Whatever it was between them, she knew it was dangerous to her peace of mind.

She mustered a bit of relief that David had wisely decreed a cool-off, and laughed. “Hey, the man has an empire to run.” She swept up another vase of flowers. “I’m taking these to Rose Murphy. I’ll come down later to get the rest. See you.”

Throughout the day, when she wasn’t fielding birthday greetings from colleagues or taking calls from contacts feeding her juicy gossip, Rebecca was obsessing about David. She was relieved that she could dampen down the little flicker of fear in her heart, but the dull, constant ache of regret wouldn’t go away.

One minute he’s so hot. The next so cool.
Of course, why shouldn’t he be? She’d done the same thing for years. Obviously, they were both commitment-phobic.

The boardroom at WBS-TV was long, narrow, and stuffy. David loosened his tie and leaned back in the heavy, uncomfortable chair at the head of the table.

He looked at Tim sitting at his left, talking about his perceptions of business as the liaison between the paper and the station.

David hadn’t heard a word. He tried to focus on business, usually as natural as breathing to him, and immediately thought of the
Daily Mail
lobby filled with roses for Rebecca’s birthday.

No doubt from George, the slack-gutted young guy who rubbed him the wrong way.

Tim looked at him again and, on instinct, David nodded. Satisfied, Tim continued to speak while David slid back into thoughts of Rebecca.

He knew it was a waste of time to feel such a tug of regret because he hadn’t known it was her birthday. A savvy man would take action. They could still celebrate tonight.

Tim turned to him again, and David had had enough. He stood, casting a long look down the table at the expectant faces of his board of directors. “Thank you, Tim. You’ve given us a great deal to think about. That’s it for the day. Good afternoon, gentlemen.”

David stalked out, fully aware he’d left a room of stunned men. He’d handle the fallout tomorrow. Today he needed to make something happen for Rebecca.

Restless, he left the studio and walked through Lincoln Park and onto the small streets of the Gold Coast, which reminded him of New York City. Racking his brain for something special for Rebecca, he came up with zero.

God, he hadn’t bought a woman a gift since Ellen’s last birthday.

The thought didn’t bring the usual catch of pain.

He stood, rooted to the sidewalk, letting the feelings settle over him. First guilt stirred, then it receded a bit. But it was still there, only slightly duller than usual. It was all right, he told himself. He had stayed loyal to Ellen’s memory.

He turned down a street heading back east toward the lake. At the end of the block David saw two guys putting a padlock on a chain-link fence around what looked like a vacant lot. He glanced in and then at their T-shirts emblazoned with “The Farmer’s Market Nursery.”

“Do you have roses in there?” he asked, disappointed in himself for not coming up with something more original.

“Nay.” The taller guy shook his head. “Waste of money. Die in a week. We got perennials and annuals.”

“Forget your wife’s birthday, did ya?” the shorter one laughed.

“Not exactly.” David relaxed, not minding being the butt of their jokes if they could help him out. “But I need a gift.”

“We’re closed, but hey, what’s another five minutes.” The short guy shrugged.

“How about a mum plant? Nice this time of year,” the tall one offered.

David didn’t know a flower from a weed, but a plant didn’t do it for him. “Something bigger.”

“How’s about a tree?” the shorter guy said with a laugh, obviously the comedian to the other’s straight guy.

“Where’s she live? Trees need room to grow.” The tall one looked solemn.

Remembering Rebecca’s balcony, David became inspired. “How about a rosebush?”

“Just got a shipment in. Healthy batch. Last a lifetime. Full of blooms, too. Man, you look like a guy in deep trouble.” The short guy smirked. “Better buy two.”

David smiled back. “Deal. Do you deliver?”

Both men gave him the once-over. The shorter one smiled. “Sometimes. Depends.”

David gladly took out his wallet.

Rebecca waited in the office until after six so she could arrive home at the exact time Pauline had told her everything would be ready for her “surprise.”

“Happy birthday, Aunt Becky!” Patty and Polly screamed the instant the condo door clicked shut behind her.

Like they’d done since they were toddlers, the girls grabbed Rebecca’s hands to pull her into the living room. A slightly lopsided two-layer cake, surrounded by colorful happy-birthday napkins and plates, sat squarely in the center of the library table.

“What a beautiful cake. Did the two of you make it?” she asked as she did each year.

Both girls nodded and smiled so big their eyes squeezed into slits.

This is such a happy rut. I’m a fool to think I need more.
“Thank you. I love it!” She gathered them both in a hug. “What flavor is it?” she asked, knowing full well it was chocolate.

“Chocolate!” they said in unison with the ringing phone.

Harry answered it. “Thanks, Malcolm. Send them up. Delivery!” he called out to the room.

“It’s more presents!” Polly turned to dash to the door.

“No, you don’t, young lady.” Pauline caught her, twirling her around. “Let Aunt Becky get her present herself.”

“Yes, girls. I need help putting the chocolates on a plate.” Kate led them into the kitchen.

On cue, the bell rang and Rebecca went to open the door.

David stood flanked by two enormous rosebushes. Behind him the elevator doors were closing on two burly guys wearing “The Farmer’s Market Nursery” T-shirts.

David stepped into the foyer, pulled her into his arms, tilted her chin up, and gazed down into her eyes. “These rosebushes will last a lifetime. Happy birthday, Rebecca.” His voice husky, he bent, lips parted slightly, to kiss her.

“Wait,”
she squealed, painfully aware others might be watching her melt into a puddle of happiness.

He stopped and glanced over her head into the mirrors. “You have company. So much for discretion.”

She twisted in his arms to find everyone grouped together just inside the living room, staring at them. If it were anyone but her most beloved friends,
her family,
this would be a disaster.

“I know you. You’re Mommy and Aunt Becky’s boss.” Polly looked up at her embarrassed mom. “He’s the new boss, right?”

David straightened and smiled. “Yes, I am the new boss.” He slid Rebecca an apologetic glance out of the corner of his eye before walking into the living room.

Overcome by David’s incredibly romantic gift, Rebecca waited to control her breathing before she followed him.

He shook Harry’s hand and greeted Kate and Pauline. “I’m sorry to have crashed your party,” he said to the girls, who continued to stare up at him.

“We made the cake ourselves. Would you like a piece?” Patty offered politely.

Rebecca pulled herself together. “Of course, you must join us, David.” His intent expression told her a party of seven was not what he’d planned for this evening. Thoughts of what might have been made her insides tighten in anticipation.

“It’s chocolate cake,” Patty informed him.

“That settles it.” He smiled down into her freckled face. “Chocolate is my favorite.”

“Aunt Becky’s, too. She loves it.” Polly couldn’t be outdone by her older sister. “Mom says she doesn’t know how Aunt Becky keeps that figure with all the chocolate she eats.”

“I do not say that!” Pauline went scarlet, looking at her youngest in a less than besotted way.

David’s laughter, along with Harry’s, and Kate’s amused smile, broke apart the tension in Rebecca’s chest. “Sweetheart, you’re absolutely right. There are days I’d rather eat chocolate than real food. Like tonight.”

“Then I believe it’s time to sing ‘Happy Birthday,’” Kate said, shepherding everyone into the living room.

Rebecca sat on the couch, dutifully waiting as she did every year for the candles to be lit and the cake carried over to her.

David settled down beside her, changing the whole dynamic of the party. Just as he’d changed everything else in her life. Before, she was always lazily relaxed, but tonight every muscle in her body quivered in anticipation.

Polly turned around, a frown curving her tiny mouth. “Aunt Becky, there are too many candles to put them all on your cake. So we gotta do only part of them. Isn’t that what you said, Mom?”

This time Pauline just rolled her eyes.

“Champagne?” Harry offered glasses on a silver tray.

When David took one, he slid her a sleepy, sexy look. “This brings back fond memories, Becky,” he murmured under his breath, barely loud enough for her to hear.

Not wanting him to get ahead of her, she batted her eyelashes at him. “Becky had fun, too.”

“Excellent. Then Becky won’t mind giving me more advice.” He shifted closer so their thighs touched.

“Becky says, remember we’re being discreet.” She shifted away, leaving a little space between them. “Look at this cake,” she said louder, clapping her hands.

“Make a wish and blow out your candles!” the girls demanded.

Rebecca glanced around at all these people whom she had made her family.
Please let everyone in this room find lasting happiness.

She blew out the candles, knowing why the wish had not been to get her job back at the
Daily Mail.
Since David had come into her life, all her other wishes seemed vague and less important.

Sitting, listening to everyone sing “Happy Birthday,” she realized how much her life had changed in so short a time. Last year Kate hadn’t been here, or David. The way their lives were becoming intertwined meant more changes. Where would her feelings for David lead her? What should she ultimately do about Charlie’s offer? If she was still Becky she’d embrace the growth, see where it might take root. Instead, she felt out of control. Especially where David was concerned. She could feel the foundation of her facade eroding, and it scared her.

Today in the
Daily Mail
lobby, when she’d thought he’d taken a step back, she’d realized he’d become too important to her. She was acutely aware of every nuance of David’s voice, and her stomach tightened every time their bodies inadvertently touched.

She breathed a little easier when he and Harry got up to carry the rosebushes out onto her terrace. Directed by all the females, the men moved the pots around until everyone agreed they should be placed on the south end, where the light was best. The scent of roses filled the air.

One by one, everyone drifted back into the living room, leaving Rebecca alone with David.

He leaned against the railing, watching her. “Do you like your rosebushes?”

Pretense seemed a waste of time. “It’s the most romantic gift I’ve ever received. Although I’m a little confused.” She moved closer, hoping to catch the truth in his eyes so she’d know where this was heading to protect herself. “About the rosebushes lasting a lifetime. Sounds serious. What happened to for as long as we’re both enjoying it?”

“Don’t be alarmed. ‘Last a lifetime’ was a figure of speech.” The darkness hid his expression. “Are you still enjoying it, Becky?”

She hoped the darkness hid her expression, as well. Part of her had hoped for a different answer. She was burning with disappointment, a rush of emotion so strong she struggled to find her voice. “Yes, yes, I am.”

She was glad when the sliding glass door to the terrace opened behind her.

“I’m sorry to interrupt you.” Kate sounded mortified. “However, Pauline is desperate for you to look at your watch. I’m assuming it is some plot to convince the girls to leave without incident.”

“It is. Excuse me.” Needing time to shore up her defenses, she was glad to have a reason to move away from David.

Standing in the middle of the living room, Rebecca looked at her thin gold watch. “Heavens! It’s nine o’clock. Past my bedtime.” Stretching, she yawned. “Party’s over. You know Aunt Becky needs her beauty sleep.”

“Let’s go, girls. Bedtime for all of us.” Pauline started gathering up their coats and book bags. Looking tired, the girls helped her.

Harry stood. “I’ll clean up.”

Kate came back into the living room. “I’ll help.”

“I’m happy to lend a hand.” David walked up beside Rebecca.

Rebecca looked into his eyes. “It’s a
very
small kitchen.”

“I know.” His smile spoke volumes.

Harry turned to her with a what-was-I-thinking look on his face. “Perhaps it would be better if David stayed to help you clean up. I’ll drive Kate home.”

“Harry, it’s out of your way. I’m on the river and you’re on the Gold Coast. I’ll take a cab.” Kate was already on her way to the hall closet to retrieve her coat.

Rebecca followed her, not sure what she should do. Ask David to stay?
Too indiscreet and dangerous.
Let him go?
Too lonely.

While Kate lingered, putting on her coat, Rebecca kissed the girls and Pauline good-bye.

David walked into the foyer. “Let me drive you, Kate. I’m at the Peninsula hotel. It’s only a few blocks to your place.”

Kate gave Rebecca a long, level look, which reminded her she needed to protect herself.

“That’s a great idea, David.” Rebecca hugged Kate. “Thank you for the chocolates. I’ll see you in the morning.”

When Kate stepped out into the hallway, David moved closer. Smiling, he loomed over her. “My turn at last.”

Wrong decision. I want you to stay.
“Thank you for the rosebushes. They’re absolutely beautiful. Good night.” She tried to kiss him on the cheek, like she had the others, but he turned his head just enough so their lips brushed too briefly in a kiss.