“I don’t know. I mean, I love you Tripp, but what if … what you ask of me goes against—”
“It won’t, and there you have to trust me. You already know George and Marge had a connection—a truly unique bond which worked for them. We have it, too. You just haven’t picked up on the what of it yet.”
“And you have? Really?”
“Yes, Lexi. I have. You have to trust me.”
“I know.” She focused on the passing landscape as Tripp slowed the car.
I keep trying to trust you.
Middletown’s quaint downtown district greeted them with the brilliance of a small town. They drove through the center square by a school and administration buildings until they reached the address Ian gave them.
Lexi turned to Tripp when he parked. “Please tell me what you’re going to do to convince this man of our crazy scheme.”
“Talk.”
“And if that doesn’t work?”
“Beg.”
“And if—”
“Whatever it takes, Lexi. I thought you trusted me.”
Lexi pushed out of the car, waiting for Tripp at the trunk. “You going to kidnap him and make him go to New York where you think he’ll magically fall in love with her?”
A couple on the sidewalk stopped with their little terrier mix.
Tripp made his way around and into an embrace. “If you’re worried about getting caught—”
“You know I’m not. It’s the principle of it. Let me do the talking.”
He shifted back as if she stuck him with a pin. “You really can’t get over this, can you?”
“Let me convince him. I can lie—”
He laughed a full sound. “You can’t lie. All these little tells exist.” One finger rang from her ear to her mouth. “Like one where the side of your lips curl up by a millimeter.” He ranged across her lips. “Or where you open your mouth just before you say something and think better of it.”
The touch broke her resolve. Tripp replaced his finger with his lips, pushed her against the side of the car as he tugged at her hair.
She accepted the kiss and the caress. “I do the talking or—”
“Or what?” His raised eyebrow and the crooked smile did her in.
“Just let me do it. Please.” She tapped against his chest.
“Fine. You get one shot. But if he won’t agree, we do it my way.”
Lexi breathed in deep, stared into the depths of Tripp’s eyes, and reminded herself of her vow to trust him. “Fine.”
• • •
Before Tripp and Lexi had walked into the two-story building, Lexi caught sight of a sign with a thermometer graphic for documenting a fundraising goal. The number at the top read $100,000, and according to the colored-in red line, they’d reached a whopping ten thousand.
“I’m sorry, who are you again?” Jacob moved from the visitor side of his desk to his chair.
“I’m representing an anonymous potential benefactor,” Lexi said.
As Tripp and Lexi had passed the entrance, a call had arrived from Jill to remind Tripp of his deadline, and in the process, Tripp asked her if she’d heard of the Orange County Kids Connection and their current fundraising activities. She hadn’t, but said if he thought it a worthwhile cause, she’d donate ten thousand dollars to them.
Jacob ran a hand through his hair. “For my foundation.”
“That’s right.” Lexi clasped her hand with Tripp’s over the side of the leather visitor chair. “We heard you were fundraising and want to make an anonymous donation.”
“Of ninety thousand dollars,” Tripp said.
Lexi’s jaw dropped; her attention switched from Tripp to Jacob and back.
What?
“Ninety thousand dollars?” He blew out a breath. “I’m sorry if I sound surprised or disbelieving, we’ve just … well, that’s our remaining goal for our current development program, and to be given it outright should excite me beyond belief. I’ve just never had anyone stop in and offer me so much money.” He leaned forward, his hands on his desktop. “This isn’t some scam, is it?”
“No,” Tripp said.
“What’s the catch? There has to be one.” Jacob’s eyes flitted between interest and wariness.
Lexi shifted her weight. “One of the benefactors requests your presence in New York city today by nine p.m.”
Jacob shook his head. “I can’t.”
“Then we can’t donate any of it. That’s the only requirement,” Tripp said. “We find the causes, our third partner chips in, but in this case, she absolutely must meet you.”
“Why?” Jacob ran a hand over his head.
“It’s her rule.” Lexi softened her tone, hoping Tripp’s more gruff demand could be downplayed.
“Look.” Jacob’s knuckles paled with his grip on the chair. “I appreciate the offer, and while I’d love the money, I can’t entertain prospective donors on a whim. I can’t fly off, or in this case, drive away, at the promise of funding from an unknown source. You haven’t even backed up the claim.” Jacob’s hair stood on end thanks to the number of times he ran a hand through it. “I appreciate the offer, but until there’s proof in the pudding, so to speak, I just can’t accept the offer.”
Tripp nudged Lexi up and to the door. “We’ll be in touch.”
After quick handshakes among the three, Lexi and Tripp walked out.
“Didn’t go so well, eh?” he asked.
Lexi glared at him. “No. Who’s going to donate the other eighty thousand dollars?”
“Anonymous donor.” The smile suggested he knew exactly who, and so did Lexi. “And now, it’s my turn.”
She slipped her hands from his. “What’re you going to do? Please tell me.”
“Watch and learn.”
They sat in the car for three hours, chatting about nothing and everything. Tripp glanced up every once in a while until the moment he reached for the key and brought the engine to life.
“We’re leaving?” Lexi spun in her seat.
Behind them, Jacob strolled to his car. Tripp drove off as Jacob did and trailed a few car lengths behind, turning wherever the red Honda went. “How can you even see where he is?” Lexi peered into the space between the two vehicles in front of them.
Tripp tapped his temple.
“I’d roll my eyes, but the effort would be a wasted use of energy.”
They followed Jacob to a modest two-story brick home. He parked in the driveway, next to a green Honda of a similar make and model to his own car. With a bounce in his step, he jumped up onto the porch and knelt in front of the door as he pushed it open.
A runt of a little girl launched herself into his arms. Behind her, a woman, with a huge smile across her face appeared.
“Oh, shit,” Lexi said. “He is married.”
Tripp motioned her to wait. A moment later, the woman stepped out, to her car and drove away.
“Babysitter. Or nanny or something.” Tripp grabbed his cell.
“Who’re you calling?”
“Ian.” No sooner had he said the name, his attention returned to the phone. “Did you find any marriage records or just no active ones?” Tripp paused. “Well, why didn’t you say so? Would’ve helped a lot.”
“What would have?” Lexi tugged on his arm.
“Thanks, man.” He pocketed the phone again.
“He’s a widower.”
“Then that’s his kid. Dammit, Tripp, we can’t separate them.” She flicked his bicep.
“Then we convince him they both go with us.”
“And how the hell do you propose we do that? He was willing to give up his entire fundraising goal for her.” Lexi thought of Casey and how attached to Janine she always seemed—the way she hung on her legs and hands, helping in the restaurant as well as a four year old could. “What is Jill going to think when the guy comes with an entire family?”
Tripp smiled, an I-win-you-lose expression that made Lexi want to smack him, before she kissed him. “Alrighty then, babysitter nanny person is gone,” Tripp said. “So, let’s go.”
“What? Where are we going?” The words reached no one as Tripp got out of the car and headed up the sidewalk.
Lexi ran after him, pulling at him to stop. “You can’t just walk up here and—”
He rang the doorbell as she sighed.
Jacob’s eyes grew wide when he opened the door. “I’m sorry, but this is not appropriate.” He started to close the door, but Tripp stopped him with a hand to the flat of the surface.
He reached into his pocket and grabbed his phone, turning and holding it to Jacob.
“Jill Sloan?” Jacob asked. “What does the heiress of New York have to do with this?”
Jacob smacked the phone to the side, as Lexi backed down a step. “Is she your third party? She’s like one of the most influential donors around.”
Since Tripp remained silent, Lexi did as well.
“And she wants to donate to us and meet with me first.” Jacob ran a hand through his hair again. “I’ll have to get a babysitter, but god I hate leaving my daughter alone for more time than I need too.”
Lexi looked to Tripp, a smile on her face as well as his.
“Miss Sloan is expecting both of you,” Tripp said.
“Our bags aren’t packed or anything. She’s only four. She’ll need her things—”
Lexi stepped around Tripp. “How about I help you get her ready, and we’ll all drive together. We’ll put you up in a hotel since Miss Sloan really does want to meet you tonight, and the little one can either hang with me or with you both.”
“Um, yeah, that’s good. I can—” He spun back around to his living room. “Ah, let me just get my things.”
Tripp grinned and caught Lexi’s arm. “Told ya so.”
29
Tripp and Lexi dropped Jacob and his daughter at Jill’s exactly on time Friday night. On Saturday, Lexi took over babysitting duties for the cute little redhead Jacob had come with. By that evening, she and Tripp returned the darling to her father along with a check for Tripp’s part of the donation.
Jill tore it up, claiming she would contribute to the fundraiser and there would be no further threat to Tripp’s manhood.
“Do you think we should stay and wait out the ruling on Jill’s wedding?” Lexi asked.
Tripp eyed her from his spot on the bed. “To see if the fireworks actually fly?”
“Just in case?” Lexi gave him a wink.
“I imagine we’d have heard if they hadn’t already gelled, right?”
“Right,” she said. “Let’s stay a little while longer, though. Just in case.”
“Anything you want, Lex.”
• • •
Lexi and Tripp spent the rest of the week in New York, much of the time at the indoor pool, thanks to bad weather and a keen interest in each other. With Emma’s reassurance that she had everything under control, Lexi gave in and took a much needed break.
She and Tripp, though, still hadn’t talked about their own next steps—had even avoided the subject when conversation steered its way there. Lexi figured if she stuck her head in the sand long enough, she could pretend it didn’t matter and just enjoy.
On day five of the week, Lexi started to wonder and worry and let her mind travel to a place her mother would argue it shouldn’t have gone.
“I think we should go home, or rather, I should.” She propped herself up on her elbows. The poolside nap worked wonders for a lazy day in the rain.
“All right. I’m pretty sure Jill’s wedding tomorrow is going off without a hitch, so I’ll get us on the next plane to Raleigh.”
“How about we wait until morning?” She ran a hand over his thigh.
He winged up an eyebrow. “You’re insatiable. Tomorrow it is then, unless …”
She sat up. “Unless what?”
“In all this time here, we didn’t hit Broadway. We could go see a show. I hear there’s an early evening performance of Chicago tomorrow. We could leave after that.”
“I thought the newspapers said all the shows were sold out?”
“I have an in with a guy I did some business with. He told me if ever I wanted to see something to just let him know.” Tripp shrugged.
“No way! That would be awesome.” Lexi’s voice reflected a youthful exuberance. “Oh! I need to go shopping unless you think we can get in with jeans.” She bumped his shoulder with hers.
He smiled. “What do you think?”
Lexi laughed. “I want to be all dressed up.” She whined like a little kid without her toys. “I want to see you in a tux. You know, the works. Aside from this extended separation from my sister and leeching off of your generosity in this hotel, I’m usually a really cheap date.”
“I’ve heard that one before.” He smirked at her. “You could borrow something from Jill. She’s got an army of people—”
“No, no. I’ll go shopping. All by my lonesome.” Lexi batted her lashes at him.
“Better plan. I’ll drop you at Missy’s favorite shop, which happens to be next to a salon that costs me a fortune every time she comes up here. I’ll go home and get my tux, and we’ll meet up with tickets to the play and the plane in hand. What do you think?”
“Perfect.”
Tripp leaned back against the chaise and closed his eyes. “Perfect.”
• • •
When Lexi disappeared into their room’s bathroom a few hours later, Tripp grabbed his phone and dialed Ian.
“What took you so long, man?” Ian’s gripe bore the resemblance of a man with an inbred impatience. “We’ve got it all set up. Emma talked with Lexi earlier, and I expected to hear from you way sooner than this.”
“I had to get some time alone, Ian. Took her a while to decide she was ready to go home.”
“I know you said you wanted to give her some stress relief, so do I get that, too? Your foreman out at the house—rather forewoman—is a slave driver. A supremely hot one, I should add, but fucking demanding, too.”
“And it’s all—”
“Yes, it’s done. They put final touches on everything this morning. Emma’s been running the show in the office. All the appropriate people are accounted for, except you and Lexi of course. I still can’t believe you’re going to do this.”
“It’s the only way.”
“You keep saying that—”
“Because it’s true,” Tripp said. “So cross your fingers I don’t piss her off so much she gives up on me.”
“Based on what Emma has said, from their conversations, she’s more in love with you than when you started.”
“That was my plan. You suggested it, what … the night after I met her?”
Ian chuckled. “I believe I did. If this doesn’t work, nothing will.”
“I hope to God it does.”
“It better, or you’re out of one hell of a shit-load of money. We’re takin’ bets down here. Of course, running it all at the last minute is just typical Fox.”
“Gotta go.” Tripp hung up and flipped through channels on the television as Lexi walked out, her hair in the only towel left in the bathroom. “Nice getup.”
She waved her arms down her body. “You like?”
Tripp jumped off the bed, making the ten feet to her in two steps. “More than you know. And I want to keep it all for myself.”
“You can have me, Tripp. All of me.”
“Good. You remember that.” He crushed his lips to hers. “Because you are all I want.”
• • •
Lexi couldn’t believe her luck. She walked into Savvy at exactly ten in the morning to be greeted by Missy’s favorite hair stylist. Claire told Lexi Missy wouldn’t let her get away with not helping on such a big day.
“Do most people go to such lengths for a Broadway play?”
Claire smiled. “Sometimes.” She fussed and meddled with Lexi’s hair until she scooped up the entirety of it into one hand, held it out and twisted so that small tendrils fell from the top. “You know what you need?”
“What?” Lexi said to Claire’s reflection.
“A facial, some minor waxing and a little princess tiara.”
“I’m not getting married, Claire, just going to a play.”
“Well, still. You have the hair up, and if he’s in a tux, you should be just as gorgeous. Let’s do this. Go find a dress, come back. I don’t care what time, I’ll kick out my clients because I
so
want to play with this.”
Lexi stood after Claire clipped her hair back for her. “Are you sure? I mean, I can shop later.”
“Go on, now. Missy’s favorite place is right around the corner. It’s called The Velvet Rose. You’ll love it. Find the perfect dress, come back, we’ll work it all up.”
She tried Tripp’s cell to let him know of the slight change in plans, but her call went straight to voice mail. With her destination only two blocks from the first, she meandered, window-shopping in two other places until she found the door to The Velvet Rose. A gorgeous cobalt blue gown greeted her via a headless manikin.
“Good morning.” A woman in an impeccable suit approached, her long fingers outstretched in welcome.
“Hi,” Lexi said as she breathed the scent of roses amidst, what she took to be, new carpet and starch. “I’m looking for a dress for a play tonight.”
“On Broadway?” The woman’s eyes sparkled as if Lexi would be an easy sale.
“Yes. It doesn’t have to be super fancy, but we are going black tie.”
“Well, then, let’s find you something.”
Lexi pointed to the dress in the window. “I kinda like that one.”
The lady pursed her lips, narrowed her eyes. “It’s nice, but I’m not sure it suits you, dear. Might I make a few suggestions based on your coloring and figure?”
Given Lexi wore her jeans and a T-shirt, she didn’t think her form very obvious. “Uh, sure.” If she humored the woman, she’d probably get better service and could pick her own dress—eventually.
“Excellent.” The woman’s gaze ran up and down the length of Lexi’s body. She ran her hands along Lexi’s shoulders and held her arms out like a scarecrow. “I have the perfect dress.”
“That fast?”
The woman’s eyes sparkled again as the ding of the door signaled another customer. Lexi figured she’d wanted to push her out.
“Yes, come with me.”
They walked to the back rack, to the last dress, under the size twelve tag.
“That’s not my—”
“Oh, I know, dear. I hadn’t gotten around to re-hanging this one.”
She held out a gown of flowing silk in a cross between teal and green with a cream shimmer to the fabric. It tapered at the waist, draped over both shoulders and tucked in a ‘v’ right down to where her breasts would fit.
“Wow,” she said.
“You like it?”
Lexi fingered the silk. “I love it.” She slid down to the price tag, flipped it over. She kept her reaction in check despite the excitement at the number. A red line through the tag marked it down half off as a previous year’s style. Why they even had it surprised her. “This is … perfect.”
“Come try it on.”
The dress slid on as if it had been made for her. It tucked where it should, pinched in the right places and enhanced the best spots.
“I can see why Missy loves this store if you guys can find stuff so quickly.” She stood in front of the mirror. “You sure this isn’t too much for a play?”
“Not at all. It’s lovely on you. Your young man will fall to the floor in love with you, if he isn’t already. And that pendant around your neck—look how the color has changed to match.”
Lexi spun once, the material flowing out from her. “I’ll take it then.”
• • •
At the vibration, Tripp checked the identification on his cell. As long as Lexi’s number didn’t show up, he answered. “Tripp Fox.”
“This is Kathleen from The Velvet Rose. I just wanted to tell you that your young woman has departed and is on her way to her next destination. The dress your friend selected for her was absolutely perfect. You were right as well about the price. She giggled like a laughing hyena at the mark down.”
Tripp smiled. “Thank you, Kathleen. I appreciate your assistance with this project.”
“You are more than welcome, and good luck to you.”
• • •
An hour and a half after Lexi left Claire, she returned with dress, shoes and a new handbag.
“Can I see?” Claire lifted the plastic cover. “Oh, my god, it’s stunning. Like something a princess would wear.”
Lexi didn’t see it quite like that, but princess-like worked for her. “So, what kind of hair goes with this dress?”
“Exactly what we were planning before. But first, I’m desperate for some lunch. Care to join me, then we’ll get started?”
“Ah, sure. Where can I put this?”
Claire brought her back to a massage room and had her hang everything within. After Lexi had tried Tripp again and he didn’t answer, she snapped a picture of the dress and sent it to Emma, tried a quick call so they could chat but didn’t catch her, either. For a moment, Lexi considered tracking him down but shook her head. She’d see him soon enough.
• • •
Claire provided much laughter and loads of inner details about Missy Fox, though apparently Missy only visited once a quarter or less since Claire had moved to New York.
Upon their return to the salon, Claire worked her magic, twisting Lexi’s hair to the upper back of her head and clipping a few tendrils that refused to stay put. “How are you getting to the theatre?”
“Ah, limo, I think.”
“Well, I’ve been keeping you so busy, why don’t we call it here? You can get dressed in the back and walk out perfect. What do you think?”
“I would, but I can’t seem to get a hold of Tripp.”
“Text him.” She said it as if it should be an easy fix.
Lexi hadn’t even though about the texting option. She opened her messenger app, typed in Tripp’s number and sent him a quick line: ‘Can you pick me up at the salon?’
Five minutes later, he responded, ‘Yes.’
“Cool.” Claire fluffed, curled and adjusted until she stopped and stared. “You are gorgeous, you know.”
A flush of heat raced to Lexi’s cheeks. “Thank you. It’s the dark hair, I think.”
“And the curls,” Claire said. “Can I give you something? I found it in the back—in one of our extra’s boxes.”
“What is it?”
Claire dug through the drawer in front of Lexi. In her hand, she held out a silver hair comb with a butterfly on it.
“It’s gorgeous,” Lexi said. “You’re sure it’s just an extra?”
“Yup.” She tucked it into the side of Lexi’s hair. “Perfect.”
“I have to agree.” Lexi caught sight of the time. “Oh, my! The limo will be here any minute. I gotta get dressed.”
Claire rushed Lexi to the back and helped her with her zipper and shoes. “You guys are going to have so much fun.”
“I hope so. This has been a really fun morning … and afternoon. Thanks for everything.”
“You’re so welcome. Be sure to say ‘hi’ to Missy for me.”
Lexi cocked her head.
“You know, the next time you see her.” Claire smiled. “If you do.”
“Okay.”
“Claire!” the receptionist called out. “There’s a limo outside.”
“That’s for you, Lexi.”
• • •
Tripp’s cell vibrated for what he thought might be the hundredth time. “Tripp Fox.”
“Hi, Tripp, this is Claire. Just wanted you to know she’s off in the limo. I guess that makes it T minus a couple hours, right?”
“Something like that, yup. You give her the hair pin?”
“Absolutely. It’s gorgeous, you know. Perfectly simple with her hair, and the silver is amazing. Where did you find it?”
“In Savannah at a store we spent some time in a few weeks ago. It was custom designed for her.”
“Awesome,” Claire said. “Good luck to you.”
• • •
The stretch limo resembled the one Ian set up for them at their arrival in New York. The black finish shone under the afternoon sun.
“Miss Shepherd?” A black-capped man held the door open for her and handed her an envelope.
“Thank you.” She slid onto the seat, but her heart fell when Tripp didn’t greet her.
The driver moved to the front and rolled down the middle panel of glass. “I’m sorry Mr. Fox has not joined you yet, Miss. He did send a note and asked me to wait until you read it before we proceed.”