He wasn’t having any of it, tugging her to the open front door. “Your carriage awaits, my lady.”
There on the street waited a black stretch limo. She looked up at him as they neared it. “What’s going on here?”
“Just get in, Didi,” he said, opening the door for her.
Gathering her skirt, she slid onto the low bench and made room for Nathan as he entered with her. Closing the door seemed to be some sort of signal, because seconds later the limo pulled out onto the street.
“Where are we going?” She narrowed her eyes at her too-calm kidnapper.
“Isn’t it obvious?” He gestured at her clothes, then his. “We’re going to a party.”
“Nathan, I’m really not up for this.” Her heart shrank to the size of a pea. “Turn the car back around. I want to go home.”
“Let’s make a bet.”
“Why do I get the feeling you’re not listening to me?”
His grin was her answer. “If you don’t enjoy yourself tonight, then I will leave you alone. What do you say?”
She reached out and shook his hand. “Prepare to lose.”
He threw his head back and laughed. “I missed you, Didi.”
Some warmth returned to her chest. “I missed you too.”
It didn’t take long for them to reach their destination. When the limo eased to a stop, Nathan opened the door and stepped out. Then he held out his hand for her. Sliding to the open door, she took his hand and swung her legs out to the pavement. When she straightened, she moved to resettle her skirt, but Nathan beat her to it. He plumped up the tulle and readjusted the neckline.
“I should really be saying ‘Hey’ right now,” she grumbled when his fingers got a little too cozy with her boobs, but she endured the attention anyway.
“Honey, will you just let me do my thing? I came back from Europe for this.” He arched an eyebrow at her. She conceded with a laugh. “What the hell did you do to your hair? I didn’t want to say anything with your mother there, but . . .” With expert hands, he removed the clips and threw them inside the limo. Before she could protest, he ran his fingers through the strands and shook them out. “You’re due for a trim. You’ve got to do it every six weeks so your hair stays healthy.”
She rolled her eyes. “Remind me to put it on my calendar.”
His handsome face contorted in a mock grimace. “I should smack you.”
The familiarity tore at her insides.
“Nathan,” she said, reaching up and taking his hands in hers so he would stop mother-henning her. “You know that this will be just for tonight, right? I don’t belong in your world. . . .” She almost said “Without him,” but she mentally congratulated herself for keeping it in.
Hooking her hand over the inside of his elbow, he said, “If that’s how you still feel after tonight, then I’ll honor the bet and leave you alone.”
“Then lead the way.” She waved her free hand toward the stone steps she guessed they would have to climb.
Bright lights illuminated the front of the Dodge Cove Museum of Art. Its imposing facade boasted massive columns. Large banners depicting one of van Gogh’s more prominent self-portraits with his name in big white letters running down the side, hung from each one. The sight made her breath catch. She had only been once, during a school field trip, but she still remembered the pristine marble floors, the cream walls, and the cushioned benches. And the art. The wonderful, gorgeous art. She should have visited more, but life took over.
“What event is being held at the museum?” she asked.
At the top of the steps, Nathan pointed toward the entrance where the guy she thought she would never see again stood. He looked devastating in a dove-gray suit and pink tie. It matched her dress.
Twenty-Seven
CALEB RESISTED THE urge to run and take her into his arms. From the surprise on her face, he could tell she hadn’t been expecting him to be there. That might be a good thing. It might be bad. The terrible thundering in his chest told him he knew nothing for certain. His hands clasping the bouquet of yellow roses were damp with sweat. He was pretty sure he was soaking through his shirt beneath his jacket. All this had been a gamble. She had rejected him once before. Her being there didn’t mean she wouldn’t reject him again.
When Nathan had suggested he be the one to pick her up, Caleb was a hundred percent against the idea. But Nathan had convinced him in that maddeningly persuasive way of his that if he was the one to pick her up, then he could still coax Didi into coming if she was hesitant. This had done Caleb no favors, though, because if he had been the one to pick her up, at least he would have had the opportunity to gauge her feelings. All this for her, and he had come into it blinder than a bat in daylight.