“Relax, Jack. Like you said, I’m paying you to lounge around. I’ll see you later.”
Jack groaned. What he needed was to get the hell out of this resort and back into the real world, but with Lederman calling the shots that wouldn’t be happening. Still, there were other ways of alleviating his cabin fever.
The ball was back in his court where Mallory was concerned, and he kne
w just the solution. He’d take Mallory into the real world—where he’d see how little they had in common and where he’d be reminded of how much he hated the feeling of being tied to any one woman.
Special ones like Mallory included.
MALLORY STOOD in the luxury gift shop of the hotel, looking over the array of eyewear. She tried on gold-rimmed Fendi frames, thick-framed black Gucci sunglasses and Prada glasses with no frames at all. They were all way out of her price range, but she continued to look, convinced that wearing such feminine and sexy glasses would rebuild her pride, still wounded from being called one of the boys. By Jack.
“Have you made a decision?” The saleswoman asked.
Mallory shook her head. “I’d love these.” She slid on the Prada glasses, so opposite of her daily frames, and posed in front of the mirror. With the sun shining through the windows and no heavy black lenses bogging her down she felt lighter and freer.
“The lavender tint compliments your skin tone.”
Mallory didn’t know if that was truth or a sales pitch, not that it mattered. “Unfortunately they’re beyond my means.” She’d spent her surplus money on the cozy cabin for herself and Jack. The memories they made there would last a lot longer than an expensive pair of sunglasses or the illusion of femininity and freedom they provided.
All she needed to do was glance in the mirror without her glasses to see the shabby truth. She pulled off the shades and handed them back to the woman. “Thank you anyway.”
“My pleasure. Here’s my card if you change your mind.”
Mallory smiled. “I appreciate that.” She left the store, realizing she’d fallen into an oh-poor-me routine that was as pathetic as it was unnecessary.
She’d chosen her life and had no business regretting it now, just because she’d gone and fallen in love with Jack.
She’d fallen in love with Jack.
Mallory stumbled toward the group of chairs arranged in the center of the lobby. She settled herself into the nearest one before her knees buckled beneath her. She’d fallen in love with Jack. The revelation shouldn’t be a shock. It was exactly what she’d feared when she’d embarked on this trip, even though she hadn’t voiced that fear aloud. Her heart thudded hard in her chest. She tried to calm herself by forcing deep and even breaths.
She’d get through this. For once her past was going to work in her favor. If she could learn to live without the love of her parents, she could darn well learn to live without Jack’s.
“Excuse me, Miss?”
At the sound of the saleswoman’s voice, Mallory turned around. “Are you calling me?”
The blond-haired woman nodded. “These are for you.” She held out a sunglass case with the silver Prada logo on top.
Mallory shook her head. “I don’t understand.”
“A good-looking man with dark hair said to tell you there’s a note inside. You are so lucky. It’s such a romantic gesture.”
“Well…” Speechless, Mallory accepted the case. As the saleswoman retreated, Mallory stayed seated so she could read and absorb Jack’s words.
What good are sunglasses without a convertible? Join me for the ride of your life. Fifteen minutes out front. If you dare to go out in broad daylight.
She slipped the glasses on and her adrenaline started pumping. Mallory Sinclair wasn’t a quitter. She wasn’t someone who felt sorry for herself and wallowed in pity. She was a survivor who made the best of what life threw her way.
But for whatever time they had left, fate had given her Jack. She loved him and maybe she couldn’t have him for forever—but she could most definitely have him for now.
MALLORY MANAGED to change clothes and get back downstairs with one minute to spare. She walked outside, caught sight of the red convertible gleaming in the sunlight and fell in love—this time with the sleek machine and the lure of freedom. Not to mention the man sitting in the driver’s seat.
He was tanned and sexy and waiting just for her. He honked the horn and waved her over. “Come on before we miss the best part of the day.”
She couldn’t see his eyes behind his darkened shades but just looking at him warmed her blood faster than the sun overhead. She ran to the car and jumped into the passenger seat. She paused only to pull her new glasses out of her bag and slide them onto the bridge of her nose. “I won’t ask how you knew about these, but thank you just the same.”
He slung one arm over the back of her seat. “You’re welcome. Pleasing you is my number one priority.”