Before We Kiss (Fool's Gold #14)

She called Ana Raquel next.

“The wine is delivered, the food all came in this morning and looks great. Greg and I are prepping, we have our schedule and I’m thinking I might make a banana layer cake because I’m in the mood. How are you?”

Dellina smiled as she curled up in the chair. “You are one of my two favorite sisters. Have I said that recently?”

“No, but it’s always on your mind. I can tell. Sis, you gotta relax. We’re all ready. It’s going to be a great weekend.”

“Planning makes that happen.”

They chatted about a few more details, then hung up. Dellina moved on to the next call.

Close to noon, she and a bellman delivered the goodie bags to the guests’ room. There was a schedule of events, but she wanted to hand those out personally during check-in. She adjusted temperatures, checked linens and made sure each minibar was stocked. By two she’d taken her suitcase to her own room and changed into a pretty summer dress and slightly nicer flats. She was going to be on her feet until around midnight. She had to be sensible.

As she touched up her makeup, she found herself remembering being in a different bathroom that morning. With Sam. Her body shuddered slightly as she flashed back to how he’d touched her and how she’d reacted to that touch. She wanted a repeat performance. Or fifty. She was still smiling as she made her way downstairs.

On the main level, she confirmed that no guests had checked in yet. She made sure she had the welcome packets set up at the small desk the hotel had provided.

“You look official.”

She saw Jack and Kenny approaching. At the sight of the two handsome football players, she felt her stomach drop a little. Not in reaction to them, but if they were here, then so was Sam.

“I don’t have a name tag,” she told him. “It’s not official without a name tag.”

Kenny shook his head. “We forgot that. Talk about stupid.”

“You know, sometimes we’re just a bunch of football jocks.”

Taryn hurried over to them. “Did I miss it? Where’s Sam? Is he late? I swear, if he’s late to this party, I’m going to beat him with a stick.”

“I’m here.”

Sam appeared next to Kenny.

The second Dellina saw him, she suddenly forgot how to breathe. Had he always been so good-looking? How did the other women in the room keep from ripping off their clothes and begging him to take them—which was what she desperately wanted. Which, of course, she couldn’t. Nor, it seemed, could she look at him. Because when he smiled at her, she ducked her head and prayed she wouldn’t blush.

At first she didn’t understand what was wrong, but then she got it. She was shy. Apparently hot, fast, mind-clearing sex left her elated and a little unsure. What was he thinking? Did anyone know? She didn’t want that. She was on the job and her professional reputation was important to her. Sleeping with clients was not going to be good for business.

“We appreciate all you’ve done,” Taryn said, drawing Dellina back to the moment. “Me, especially. Because I refused to have anything to do with planning the party, and if you hadn’t stepped in, it would have been a disaster.”

Kenny glared at her. “Are you saying the three of us couldn’t have pulled it off?”

“Yes.”

He shrugged. “You’re right.”

Jack handed Dellina a blue bag. A familiar blue bag because she’d just handled twenty exactly like it.

“Thank you,” Taryn said. “From all of us.”

The guys nodded. She thought maybe Sam’s gaze was a little more intense than the others, but she couldn’t be sure.

She took the bag and looked inside. The blue Tiffany’s box was bigger than the ones she’d seen. So she wasn’t getting the same diamond stud earrings.

She untied the white ribbon, then lifted the cover of the box. Inside was a beautiful bangle. A center row of diamonds with a twisted rope of gold on either side. The piece was gorgeous, but not so huge that she couldn’t wear it every day.

“It’s beautiful,” she murmured. “Thank you.”

“Sam said you weren’t the diamond stud earring type,” Taryn said, helping her with the bracelet. “That this was something you could wear every day. Seriously, you’ve done a great job with the party. Thank you for everything.”

“You’re welcome.”

Dellina looked at the bangle on her wrist and knew she’d never owned anything so nice before.

Taryn hugged her. Kenny and Jack did the same. Sam touched her last, briefly pulling her close, then releasing her.

“All right, I have to go unpack,” Taryn said.

“How many suitcases?” Jack asked. “Three?”

Taryn sniffed. “Just one. It’s only two nights.”

“You’re lying,” Kenny said conversationally. “You can’t go anywhere with just one suitcase.”

“Yes, I can. Angel is letting me use part of his.” With that, she turned and walked away.

Kenny and Jack followed, leaving Sam next to her.