Another sigh. “Christmas in North Carolina is a bit much for your father and me. You know we aren’t religious, and we’re happier keeping things low-key this time of year.”
He chuckled. “I know, Ma. You and Dad aren’t exactly filled with the Christmas spirit.” His parents lived in a palatial home he’d bought them when he had completed his first film, but David and Eva’s idea of holiday decoration consisted of battery-operated candles in the front windows and a single strand of white lights, placed in a palm tree by their gardener.
As if reading his mind, she said, “I know what you’re thinking, Devon. And I’ll have you know Mr. Roper strung lights in two of our palm trees this year.”
Grateful his mother couldn’t see him rolling his eyes, he quipped, “Don’t overdo it now, Ma.”
She laughed, the familiar sound warming Devon’s heart. “Oh, go on with you. Make sure you call us and let us know you got there safely.”
“I always do.” He zipped the suitcase closed, placing his trusty lock in the loops to secure it.
“Devon...there’s one more thing.”
Noticing the hesitation in her tone, he sat down on the edge of the bed. “What is it, Ma?”
“Your father and I were talking, and we really want to see you settled down again.”
He sighed. He’d been hoping to avoid this conversation this year, but it seemed that wasn’t going to happen. “Ma. I don’t really want to talk about this.”
“I know you don’t, son, so just hear me out. It’s been five years since Nat left us, and we’re ready for you to get off the merry-go-round and find a nice girl to bring home.”
“Merry-go-round? Really, Ma?” He’d started dating again about two years ago, and since then he’d gone out with his share of women. He’d even satisfied his urges here and there, but the term his mother had just used seemed to go too far in describing his life as a young widower.
“You’ve dated plenty of girls but never gotten serious about anyone. I know it must be hard to put your heart on the line after such a loss, but you’ve got to take the chance, dear.”
He felt his brow furrow. Hard didn’t begin to describe it. His reluctance to enter a serious relationship again had nothing to do with opportunity and everything to do with his feelings. His wife, Natalie, had been only twenty-nine when he’d lost her to an undetected congenital heart defect. It had taken him almost three years to learn to navigate the world without his childhood sweetheart by his side.
“Just think about it, dear. That’s all we ask.”
He could hear the love and concern in his mother’s voice, and it did much to soothe his frustration. “I will, Ma.” And he would think about it. But that didn’t guarantee he’d come home with a fiancée any time soon, and he hoped she realized that. “I love you.”
“I love you, too, son. Travel safe.” She disconnected the call.
Devon stood and pocketed his phone, glancing around his room to be sure he hadn’t forgotten anything he’d need for his trip. That done, he dropped the wheeled suitcase on the floor, lifted the telescoping handle and pushed it out of the room.
Hadley pulled her midnight blue sedan up to the curb in front of the rental unit and cut the engine. Unbuckling her seat belt, she dropped the driver-side visor and opened the lighted vanity mirror. She took a moment to make sure her upswept hair and carefully applied makeup were on point, then righted the visor and smiled.
Devon was due to arrive any minute now. She’d always known him to be punctual, and that was just one of the qualities he possessed that made him so attractive. She knew she wouldn’t have to wait long for him to appear, so she gathered her wits.
She still didn’t know what she would say to him, other than the rote script she always gave to longtime customers when she delivered their appreciation gifts. She’d thank him for his loyalty, just as her brothers would expect. That would be the easy part. What came after that, she had no idea. There was no point in trying to plan what to say to him now. She fully expected that when she looked into his gorgeous golden eyes, she wouldn’t remember her name, let alone any impassioned speech she planned to make.
She looked down at her outfit. She’d chosen a close-fitting sweater, slim jeans and knee-high boots. Her aim was to be appealing to Devon’s eyes while still looking professional. She’d also considered the conditions outside. Despite the bright sunshine, the temperature hovered somewhere in the low fifties. She possessed more enticing outfits, but she was looking to make a certain impression. Besides, no one looked sexy while shivering.
The sound of an approaching engine drew her attention, and she checked her rearview. Seeing Devon approaching in a midsize SUV made her lips stretch into a smile. This was another thing she liked about him. Here he was, rich and famous for his acting, yet he eschewed the bodyguards, drivers and entourage many people in his position had. She had no idea how he lived his life in LA, but it was clear that he didn’t make himself fodder for the celebrity-gossip bloggers and television shows. And when he was home in Sapphire Shores, he was about as low-key as a person could get. He flew commercial, rented a car and drove himself where he needed to go.
She sighed as she watched him navigate the vehicle into the driveway. He’s so down-to-earth.
Gathering the large gift basket she’d brought with her from the office onto her lap, she slipped out of the car as gracefully as she could. Once she’d closed her door, she stood by her car, watching and waiting. She tamped down her excitement at seeing him again, not wanting to ambush him before he had a chance to get out of his car.
His driver’s side door swung open then, and as he stepped out and stood to his full height, Hadley could feel her heartbeat racing. Dark sunglasses obscured his eyes, but nothing obstructed her view of the rest of his smooth, brown-skinned face. She reveled in the sight of his thick dark brows, his perfectly groomed mustache and beard, and the full, soft-looking lips centering it all. His long, lean body was dressed casually in a pair of khakis, a green sweater and brown loafers. The clothes weren’t tight, but they were fitted enough that she could see the hard lines of his muscles flexing beneath the fabric as he moved.
To Hadley’s appreciative eyes, he almost seemed to be moving in slow motion. Her lips parted, allowing a pent-up breath to escape into the cool winter air. She tightened her arms around the gift basket, knowing that if she didn’t, it might fall to the ground, forgotten, as she stared at her favorite client. How can he be that damn fine?
He opened the hatch at the back of the vehicle. Dragging out a wheeled suitcase, he shut the hatch again and turned her way. “Hadley, is that you?”
She shifted the basket, offering a wave before shifting it back into both hands. “It’s me,” she called. “How are you?” As she spoke, she started walking in his direction.
“I’m good, thanks. How about you?” He remained by the back of the SUV, as if waiting for her.
A few more long steps brought her into his personal space. “Good, good. Can’t complain.”
He
