“Sweetheart, I don’t need both,” I whisper to Dane as he passes two black cocktail dresses to our sales associate. “They almost look the same!”
Dane turns to me with a wicked grin. “My baby gets what my baby wants,” he says. “And I happen to know your ass looks stunning in both of them.”
Flushing hotly, I shake my head. “You really don’t have to do this,” I say.
Dane frowns. “Do what?”
I sigh helplessly. “You know. Buy me off so I won’t cry tomorrow morning when you leave for Dubai.”
Dane snorts. “Like I would try such a transparent ruse on my brilliant girl,” he counters. He leans down and kisses me, cupping my face in his broad hands and staring into my eyes. “Allie, baby, I love you. I just want you to be happy. Is that so much to ask?”
And with another rueful sigh, I give in. Dane spends five figures on me that day, even on ridiculous things that I don’t need – like a puffy expensive winter jacket, even though it’s the middle of summer! By the time we’re ready to go home, the Town Car is packed with boxes and bags. He’s never spent so much on me before at once and I wonder if he feels guilty about leaving me alone for so long.
“Are we going out to eat?” I ask as my stomach rumbles loudly. “I’m starving after today.”
“I should really do some work at home,” Dane muses. When he sees my smile fading, he reaches over and strokes my back. “But if you want to eat out, we can.”
I force a smile and shake my head. “No, it’s okay,” I reply. “I should probably get used to eating on my own, since I’ll be doing it alone for three weeks.”
“Allie,” Dane says disapprovingly. “Why don’t you think of this as a fun time for yourself? Why not invite Mara over to stay with you – she can have one of the guest rooms. It’ll be like a three-week-long girls’ night.”
“Okay,” I say in a small voice. “That’s not a bad idea.”
It’s terrible – I know that I’m acting like such a brat, but I can’t help it. Dane is my rock, my best friend, and my lover. I don’t ever want to be away from him if I can help it.
That night, I can’t sleep. Dane comes to bed after spending hours in his office and he passes out in my arms almost immediately. But I lie awake, staring at the ceiling and feeling miserably sad until the sky is streaked with the first morning light.
When Dane gets up, he showers and dresses in a crisp black suit. I sit up in bed with my chin resting on my knees and my arms wrapped around my legs.
“Do you want to come to the airport with me?” Dane asks. He checks his watch. “Hanson should be here soon.”
I shake my head sadly. “I feel like I’m going to be sick,” I say. It’s true – my stomach feels rumbly and queasy. “I should just stay here.”
“At least sit with me while I have breakfast,” Dane says. “Baby, I’m going to miss you so much.”
“Then don’t go,” I say.
Dane hands me a robe and ties the belt in a loose knot after I’ve dressed. He takes my hand and leads me into the kitchen where our maid, Marcie, has two Greek omelets plated and ready for us. Even though I’m not hungry, I have to admit that they smell amazing.
“Thank you,” I say politely.
Marcie nods before disappearing from the room and closing the door behind her. But suddenly, the doorbell rings. Instantly, hot tears spring to my eyes and my chin begins to wobble.
“Three weeks will pass like nothing,” Dane promises. He leans down to kiss my head before padding to the door and opening it. To my surprise, a strange man with a suitcase is standing there.
I frown. “Where’s Hanson?” I ask. “Did we get a new driver?”
Dane turns to me with a smirk plastered on his handsome face. “Nope. Allie, I’d like to introduce you to Bruce Green, the new Lockdown CFO.”
“Nice to meet you,” I say weakly. I don’t get why Dane is doing this, and now of all times? Doesn’t he know that I don’t want to waste my last few minutes alone with him?
“Allie, Bruce has just been promoted,” Dane continues. “He’s been working for me for over ten years, and I think he’s earned it.”
I force a smile. “I’m sure he does,” I reply. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to get dressed.”
“Wait,” Dane says. He clears his throat. “Bruce is going to Dubai.”
“With you?”