Dreams of Perfection (Dreams Come True) Page 12

  “Oh, baby, sounds like you’ve had a rough day. Want me to come by after work?”

  “Yes,” she whined. “But I also need you to take me tomorrow and bring me home.”

  Josh quickly glanced at his calendar. “Done.”

  “And to stay with me tomorrow night.” This last request was met with silence. “Josh?”

  “Okay.” Josh hesitated. “I can do that.”

  “Listen, if you have plans, it’s really no problem.” Please don’t have plans.

  “No. You can’t stay alone. I’ll stay with you.”

  “Thanks, Josh. I really appreciate it.”

  Chapter 23

  Josh hung up the phone and rechecked his calendar for Tuesday and Wednesday. A conference call, and a meeting with one of the junior associates tomorrow to discuss a brief due in two weeks, nothing that couldn’t wait another day. Wednesday morning he had an appointment with Kelly, but with some juggling he might be able to see her in the afternoon if Darcy felt self-sufficient by then.

  He’d always wanted to hear Darcy ask him to stay with her, or words similar to that effect, just not under these particular circumstances.

  Unsettled, he stood up from his desk and walked over to his window, looking out over the Hudson River. He’d had a clear view of the Miracle on the Hudson when Captain Sully brought his Airbus A320 in for an emergency water landing. Little work got done that morning at the firm, with everyone crowded into the offices with river views, watching the human drama unfold in the icy river, and praying for the passengers, crew, and rescuers.

  In a couple more months he’d be moving to a bigger office, a partner’s office, one floor up. He only hoped it, too, had a view of the Hudson. Now that he had the goal in his sights, it didn’t hold the same appeal. He sure hoped he wasn’t turning into one those people who only wanted what they couldn’t have, and when they finally had it, didn’t want it anymore.

  Would that be the result, he wondered, if Darcy ever reciprocated his feelings for her? Once he had her, would he still want her? Or was his unwavering desire for her simply the product of his unrequited love?

  He picked up the case he’d been reading when Darcy had called. If he was going to be out tomorrow, he’d better get a head start on it today.

  Missing a day at the office wasn’t the problem. He could get some work done at her place. Her place. That was the problem. Being around Darcy and hiding the truth was getting more and more difficult, especially now that Blake was in the picture. It seemed he was always fulfilling boyfriend obligations without the boyfriend benefits, he groused.

  When she was going through first dates like the Yankees go through baseballs, he could sit back and be the one waiting in the wings. But now, Darcy’s clock didn’t seem to be the only one ticking like a time bomb. At some point, he had to decide whether to allow Darcy to walk away forever or risk their friendship by telling her his feelings for her. Either way, he could lose her.

  Josh let himself into Darcy’s house early the next morning. “Where’s the patient?” he called.

  “She’s in here,” came the frail reply from the living room.

  He walked in to see Darcy sitting on the sofa, an ice pack to her cheek. “My poor Darcy. You ready?”

  “About as a ready as a cow going to slaughter,” she replied glumly.

  “Look at the bright side.” He helped her up. “At least after you’ve healed, your mouth won’t hurt anymore. Right?”

  “I’m in no mood to look at the bright side.”

  Josh chuckled.

  They stepped outside and while Josh went to lock up, Darcy stepped to the curb.

  “We don’t need a cab,” Josh told Darcy. “I borrowed Martin’s car.” He pointed to a blue Prius parked at the curb. “I didn’t think you’d want to do the whole New York cab ride after your surgery.”

  “Bless you,” she said, the relief apparent on her face. “I’d kiss you but it hurts too much to pucker up.”

  He helped Darcy into the car and walked around to the driver’s side. Folding his long frame into the compact space, he glanced over at her. She sat, her head against the headrest, her eyes closed, a frown creasing her brow. He reached over and, squeezing her hand, said, “You’ll be fine. And if not, don’t worry, I’ll sue the pants off ‘em.”

  She didn’t bother to open her eyes. “Gee, thanks.”

  Josh juggled a very woozy Darcy, a small bag of medical supplies and post-op instructions, and Darcy’s purse as he steered her toward her front steps. After a few miscues, he managed to get her to the door. The surgeon had said everything went well and that in a few days she should be good as new. The stitches would dissolve on their own, and she could begin eating normally as tolerated.

  Right now Josh’s only concern was getting her in the house without her falling on her face. He leaned her up against the doorjamb while he unlocked the door, then caught her just as she slid sideways.

  “Whoops-a-daisy,” Darcy slurred, with an inebriated smile, cotton packing peeking out of the corners of her mouth in a way she would find utterly humiliating if she had her faculties.

  “Okay.” Josh abandoned her purse and the bag by the door, and scooped Darcy up in his arms.

  “Wheee!” She wrapped her arms around his neck and cradled her head against him.

  The light floral scent of her shampoo drifted to his nose and he closed his eyes briefly against its subtle attack on his senses. Her trim body, even smaller after a couple of days on a liquid diet, pressed against his chest, her waist so small he could practically wrap his hands around it.

  He carried her to the sofa and carefully set her down on it, but she didn’t release him. “Joth, you thmell thoooo good,” she said, doing a fair imitation of her niece, Sam.

  “Um, thanks.” He gently tried to pry her hands from around his neck. Finally succeeding, he set them in her lap. “Okay. Wait here. Don’t move.” He held up his hands. “I’ll be right back.”

  He darted back to the stoop to collect her things and close the door. When he walked back into the living room, Darcy still sat, hands in her lap, her eyes closed. He stepped out of the living room and glanced up her staircase. There was no way he was going to get her up the stairs in her present condition.

  He took the stairs two at a time and, striding into her bedroom, snagged a pillow off her bed. As he left the room, he noticed a photo of him at his law school graduation, still wearing his cap and gown, and holding up a bottle of champagne. He never knew she’d framed that picture.

  He hadn’t been in her bedroom since he and some of the guys had helped her move in almost five years ago. Seeing the photo in her bedroom gave him pause, but sooner or later it would no doubt be replaced by one of her and Blake.

  Running back into the living room, he put the pillow at one end of the sofa and eased her back, careful to prop her up like the doctor said, before lifting her legs and stretching them out. He grabbed a throw off the window seat in the bay window and covered her with it.

  Darcy snuggled into the pillow and pulled the blanket up to her chin. “I wuv you, Joth.” And she was out.

  If only she meant those words the way he wanted her to. That one statement—four little words—socked him in the gut, leaving him breathless, not unlike the time Billy Maloney had head-butted him in the belly in football practice. The difference was, he’d recovered from Billy’s blow.

  Darcy woke up, a little disoriented, wondering why it felt like someone had taken a jackhammer to her mouth. Moaning, she tried to sit up.

  “Shh. Lie back.”

  She felt a hand stroking her hair and, opening her eyes, looked up into Josh’s warm brown ones.

  “How do you feel?”

  “Like hell,” was all she managed to get out. Her mouth resembled the Sahara and tasted like s
he’d been sucking on nickels. She shifted a little, and realized she was lying with her head on a pillow in Josh’s lap. Some dim memory of Josh carrying her prodded at her aching head.

  “Did I do anything . . . strange?”

  Josh considered a moment. “No. Unless you count running out your front door naked.”

  “That would only be strange if it were the middle of winter.”

  “Then no, you didn’t do anything strange.”

  “Good. How long have I been asleep?” Her words slurred around the cotton in her mouth.

  “A few hours.”

  She closed her eyes again.

  “Do you think you could eat something? I’m not worth much in the kitchen, but nuking a can of soup isn’t too far beyond my limited capabilities. I saw some chicken noodle in your cupboard.”

  “Okay. Sure.”

  He helped her sit up and then propped her up against the back of the couch. “One bowl of chicken noodle coming up. And how about some hot tea?”

  “Good.” She moaned as the jackhammer picked up the pace.

  “And I’m sure you could use a Percocet.”

  A few minutes later Josh came in carrying a tray, which he placed on the coffee table.

  Darcy tried to stand, but a wave of dizziness overtook her.

  “Whoa. Where do you think you’re going?” Josh steadied her.

  “Bathroom.”

  “Well, hang on.” He held out his hands indicating he would help her up.

  She hesitated. “You’re not going with me.”

  “I am, at least to the door.”

  “God, this is so embarrassing.” She groaned as she stood.

  Josh wrapped his arm around her waist and guided her to the powder bath tucked underneath the stairs.

  “Now go away,” Darcy croaked.

  “Hey, did anyone ever tell you, you do a pretty good impression of the Godfather? Come on, make me an offer I can’t refuse.” He egged her on by waving his hands toward his face.

  If she’d had the strength, she’d have slapped that grin right off.

  Instead, she slammed the door in his face.

  Chapter 24

  After Josh had Darcy fed, medicated, and resituated on the sofa, her feet in his lap, he picked up the remote and turned on ESPN.

  Propping his bare feet on the coffee table, he looked around the cozy living room, Darcy’s personality apparent in all the little touches. Photos of friends and family—including some of the two of them, one photo in particular from their first Yankees game together. Knickknacks and throw rugs she’d picked up from her almost weekly haunts of the various open-air markets around Manhattan. An open book, spine-side up on the window seat, and fresh flowers on the end table.

  Josh contemplated his own postage-stamp-sized apartment. Darcy and his mom had helped him furnish it, and it was a nice apartment, considering the rent. Charcoal gray walls with white trim. Masculine, clean lines. It served its purpose, and it was close to the office. But it wasn’t a home.

  He’d grown up in a two-bedroom, two-bathroom cinder block house. Nothing fancy. But it had always been neat as a pin, with colorful flowers blooming in the yard, worn but comfortable furniture, and decorations at the holidays. His mom made sure the house had a warm, welcoming feel. Just like Darcy did.

  He felt Darcy’s hand on his and glanced over at her.

  “Thanks, Josh,” she said softly, the absence of the cotton packing making it easier to understand her.

  “What are friends for?”

  “If you ever get tired of the law, maybe you should consider nursing as a second career.”

  “Nurse Ryan.” He tilted his head. “It has a certain ring to it.”

  “I really owe you.” She glanced over at his feet and cocked a brow. “That’s the only reason I’m letting you put your feet on my coffee table.”

  “Thanks.”

  Darcy gave a little shrug. “It’s the least I can do.”

  “It’s been a pretty tough assignment, so I’ll accept your concession.” He patted her feet, noticing the pale pink polish. As long as he’d known her, she’d always kept her feet well groomed and polished. It struck him as just one more reason he thought she was so damned sexy. Even with her mussed hair, dark circles, and slightly swollen jaw, he’d never met anyone who even came close to her fresh, girl-next-door look.

  “I hope I didn’t throw a wrench in your schedule.” She pulled him back to the conversation.

  “Nothing I can’t handle.”

  They watched SportsCenter for a few minutes, Josh gently rubbing her feet. The feel of his hands on her feet sent odd little tingles up her legs to her stomach. Must be the drugs. She should tuck her feet up under her, but the massage felt so good, so soothing.

  Josh could imagine evenings spent exactly like this. Well, not exactly. Darcy wouldn’t have just had surgery. But evenings lying on the sofa together, watching sports, or even a romantic comedy or two. And when he turned off the television, they’d walk up to their bedroom . . . Okay. Time to get my mind focused elsewhere.

  “So, no more wisdom teeth. Do you feel any less wise?” Josh asked, a slight grin on his face. “I’m not going to have to start exercising some sort of parental authority over you, am I?”

  Darcy laughed. “Ow! Don’t make me laugh.”

  The doorbell rang.

  “That’ll be Laura,” Darcy explained. “She said she’d be coming by.”

  “Super.”

  Josh walked over to the door and opened it.

  “Lawyer,” Laura punched as she strolled past Josh.

  “Nympho,” Josh counter-punched as he followed her into the living room.

  “How do you get a lawyer out of a tree?”

  “Cut the rope.”

  Darcy pushed herself to a sitting position with a grimace. “You two will be sniping at one another over my grave.”

  “How’s the patient?” Laura asked as she sat next to Darcy on the sofa.

  “Grumpy,” Darcy replied.

  “Well, maybe this will help.” Laura held up a brown paper bag. “Aunt Butchie’s famous chocolate mousse cups. One for tonight and one for tomorrow.”

  Darcy’s face went all dreamy. “I have the best friends in the world.”

  “And for you Josh, a Tiramisu cup.”

  Josh drew back in surprise. “Really? Thanks. That was . . . uncharacteristically thoughtful of you.”

  “It’s the least I could do after you took care of Darcy.” She sniffed as she looked him over. “You do have a few redeeming qualities.”

  “Gee, thanks.” Shaking his head, he took the bag from Laura and walked into the kitchen to make Darcy tea and grab spoons.

  Laura laid her hand over Darcy’s. “How do you feel?”

  “Like Con Ed tried to drill through my jaw.”

  “They give you good drugs?”

  “Yeah. Too good, I think.” She frowned over another hazy memory of telling Josh he smelled good. Maybe she’d just dreamed it.

  “How’d your presentation go?”

  “We got the account!” Laura’s eyes lit with pride.

  “You should be out celebrating instead of sitting here with me,” Darcy fussed.

  “What? And leave you with no one but that loser for company?” she said, loud enough for him to hear.

  “Hey!” he hollered from the kitchen, where the teakettle had just begun to shriek. “I heard that.”

  “Hello. That was the point,” she muttered, rolling her eyes.

  “What is it with you and Josh?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Why do you always give him such a hard time?”

  Laura thought about it a minute. “Because
I can.” She shrugged a silk-clad shoulder.

  “I bet your committee meetings together are a barrel of laughs.”

  Laura sniffed, lifting her chin a little. “That’s different. That’s business. I’m nothing but professional when it comes to marketing and promotion.”

  Josh came in carrying a tray with Darcy’s tea and the desserts Laura had brought.

  “Look at you,” Laura said. “Looking all domestic and everything. The next thing you know you’ll be wearing an apron and whipping up a soufflé.” She smirked as she took her chocolate mousse cup off the tray. She took a bite of the confection, then indelicately licked every trace off the spoon.

  Josh ignored the comment and served Darcy her tea and dessert.

  Darcy gingerly took a bite and groaned.

  Both he and Laura jumped to attention.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  “Hmm mm.” Darcy’s eyes were closed. “Just savoring the taste of sin in a cup.”

  He and Laura sank back in relief.

  “Chase any ambulances today?” Laura asked Josh.

  “Nope. Sucker any clients?” He turned his attention to ESPN, effectively dismissing her.

  “As if,” Laura said off-handedly, then ignored him. “Heard from Blake?”

  “No.” Darcy sighed. “He said it might be a few days before he could call.” She got a little teary. “He doesn’t even know I had surgery.” She dabbed at her eyes. “Must be the drugs making me weepy.”

  “He’ll call. I’m sure he’d be here if he could instead of leaving you here in the incapable hands of a shyster.” She lifted the last bite of her mousse to her lips.

  As soon as she swallowed her last bite, Josh said, “Enjoy your dessert?”

  “Of course.” She glanced up at Josh and confusion turned to suspicion. “Why?” She narrowed her eyes, her spoon poised midway between her mouth and the dessert cup.