Dreams of Perfection (Dreams Come True) Read online

  Darcy put the finishing touches on her appearance, hoping her cool blue-and-white Tory Burch dress would soothe her frayed nerves, while Laura sat on her bed and tapped out one email after another. “I’m going to have that thing surgically removed,” Darcy said, glancing at Laura in her mirror.

  “Just try it,” Laura shot back.

  Earlier, Laura had peered into Darcy’s face and asked if she was okay. Darcy blamed her dark circles on Blake’s absence, when really she’d barely given Blake more than a passing thought, which only added to her misery.

  Millie knocked and then came in as Darcy slipped on her strappy fuchsia sandals. “Millie, you can change in the spare bedroom if you’d like.”

  “Change?” Millie glanced down at her dull brown dress, confusion altering her otherwise unflappable demeanor. “Why would I change?”

  “You mean you’re wearing that?” Laura asked, her face a study in horror, her smartphone forgotten in the shock.

  The shapeless brown dress boasted small sprigs of flowers reminiscent of a 1920’s floral wallpaper pattern. Over it, Millie had pulled on an oversized cardigan, in an unflattering cross between mustard yellow and overcooked-asparagus green.

  “Yes.” She lifted a brow in defiance. “I don’t understand the question.”

  “Where ever did you find it?” Laura asked, looking as if she’d just swallowed a bug. “Never mind. There must be something we can do.” She walked into Darcy’s closet and began pulling out and discarding various belts. Settling on a narrow gold belt, she wrapped it around Millie’s diminutive waist and fastened it. Standing back, her hands on her hips, she assessed Millie’s shape. “You actually have a figure hiding under those baggy clothes you wear.”

  Turning back to the closet, she found a sunny yellow shrug and ordered Millie to take off the yellow-green monster and put on the shrug. Millie rolled her eyes, but complied.

  Darcy and Laura stepped back. Darcy cocked her head, thinking Millie looked quite put-upon. And schlumpy. Schlumpier than she had without the belt and shrug. Darcy cut Laura a look, made a face, then shook her head.

  “Okay. Fine.” Laura removed the items and tossed them on the bed and snatched up her phone. “You win. For now. But your day is coming. Consider yourself warned,” she tossed over her shoulder as she left the room.

  Josh’s feelings ran the gamut. Satisfaction in having attained a long-held goal. Joy at having his mother here to celebrate with him. Dread at seeing Darcy again and facing the reality of his decision to move on. How could so many divergent feelings exist in a person at once, he wondered?

  Josh glanced over at his mom and smiled. She had a death-grip on the door of the taxi as it sped through traffic. She gasped as the taxi stopped barely inches from the bumper of the car in front of them.

  “We’re going to be killed. How can you sit there so calm?”

  “You get used to it.”

  He hadn’t seen Darcy in two weeks. Not since he’d left her house determined to move on. The question he’d failed to answer during that time was how did he move on and yet still keep her friendship? You couldn’t find an answer to that question in law books.

  “We’re here.”

  “Thank God,” his mother breathed.

  Josh tossed the driver some bills and helped his mother out. He hesitated before reaching for the brass doorknob on Darcy’s front door.

  “Are you all right?” his mother asked.

  “Yes. Just nervous.”

  “Well, for heaven’s sake, what do you have to be nervous about? These are your friends, and they’re throwing you a party.”

  “Right.” He opened the door, calling out “Hello” as entered.

  “Josh. Hi.” Darcy didn’t look him in the eye, choosing instead to gaze beyond him at the painting hanging in the foyer. Her stomach executed a perfect somersault.

  “Hey, Darce.” He didn’t reach for her, just maintained a safe distance.

  “Hi, Janet.” I had sizzling hot door-sex with your son. “It’s so good to see you!” Darcy hugged his mom, who then held Darcy at arm’s length.

  “I think you get more beautiful every time I see you. Doesn’t she, Josh?”

  Darcy could feel Josh’s eyes on her face as her cheeks burned.

  “Every time,” he muttered.

  Laura sauntered up. “Vampire.”

  “Succubus.”

  “What’s the difference between a lawyer and a vampire?”

  “A vampire only sucks blood at night.”

  “Damn,” she muttered, before turning to his mom. “Hi, Janet, how are you?” She leaned in and brushed her cheek.

  Long used to Laura and Josh’s barbs, Josh’s mom returned Laura’s kiss and let her lead her into the living room, leaving Josh and Darcy alone.

  The tension, as tangible between them as any wall, tormented her. How do they get back to just Darcy and Josh?

  “Thanks, Darcy.” Josh broke the silence. “For doing this.” He took her hand and held it, his touch casual and friendly, but the frisson of desire his touch brought her intensified the flush.

  She gave him a hesitant smile. “Of course. It’s my pleasure.”

  She could see a sliver of light through the tiny crack that just opened in the wall.

  Chapter 34

  Josh good-naturedly accepted the hearty backslaps, the hugs and kisses, and the drinks one person after the next pressed on him, all the while roaming the party keeping Darcy, beautiful as always, in his sights.

  Her usually straight hair hung thick with waves, just begging to be touched, but the blush that rose to her cheeks when she’d greeted him couldn’t hide the dark circles under her eyes.

  He wondered if she could lay the blame for her sleepless nights on him, Blake, or the party. Whatever the reason, he hated to see her so distressed.

  He’d never be able to convey how much he appreciated all the effort she’d put into this party. When she’d offered to throw him a bash, he’d been honored. She’s always been there for him—a little less now with Blake in the picture—but for the big things, she hadn’t let him down.

  He owed it to her to be a good friend—to be there for her no matter what—to put their momentary heart-pounding, blood-pulsing lapse in judgment behind them. If that’s what she wants, I can do that. Her laughter floated across the room, sultry and sweet, making his heart stutter. Or not.

  The drinks flowed, the food vanished, the conversation hummed, and the music pulsated. Darcy took a spin around the tent outside, ensuring Josh’s guests were having a good time.

  The video was a hit, with the throng oohing, ahing, and laughing over the photos. Toasts were made, jokes told, and congratulations offered. The initial anxiety notwithstanding, Darcy declared the party a huge success.

  She and Josh avoided any close contact all evening, reducing the anxiety to a manageable level. He looked so sexy in his white button-down and dark-wash jeans. Had he always been that sexy and she’d just never noticed? Or did having mind-altering sex with him, well, alter her mind? What difference did it make, how or when it happened? She had to get Josh out of her head.

  Darcy watched as Cindy and Martin, still wearing their newlywed glow, danced as if they were the only two people in the world. Her heart ached at the sight. Happy for them, confused for herself.

  Her father gave Janet a spin, while her mother cut the rug with Mark. Her mom had rhythm, Darcy had to give her that. Kelly boogied with Daniel, who looked as if he wanted to be anywhere but on the dance floor with his mother. Gloria did a little bump-and-grind with Chris, who’d apparently had one too many.

  Check that, Darcy thought, as he made a grab for Gloria’s ass, more like twenty too many.

  Laura sidled up next to her, champagne glass in hand. “I think Josh’s frie
nd there is wasted.” She pointed to Chris with her glass. “Wonderful party, Darce. You going to throw a big shindig for me when I make VP?”

  “Of course. But wouldn’t you rather have it at your parents’ house?”

  Laura leveled her ‘How long have you been on this planet?’ look at her.

  “Right.”

  Darcy frowned when she spied Millie standing on the fringes of the party, as if she wanted nothing more than to fade into the night. Before she could make up her mind to go talk to her, Josh approached her. Darcy watched as Josh held out his hand for her. At first Millie shook her head no, but Josh flashed his boyish grin and she relented. Taking his hand, she let him lead her to a corner of the dance floor, away from the crowd, away from the spotlight.

  Darcy’s vision blurred as Josh gathered a reluctant Millie into his arms for a slow dance. In that instant, Darcy knew. She loved Josh. She loved his generous heart, his benevolent soul, and his beautiful mind. She loved his capacity for empathy and his limitless determination to not only be a better person, but to inspire those around him to want to do the same.

  She pressed a hand to the fluttering in her stomach.

  “Are you okay?” Laura studied Darcy’s face.

  “Yeah. I’m having a moment.” She gestured to Josh and Millie, blinking away her tears and covering the real reason for her reaction.

  “Aww.” Laura tilted her head. “Even I can see why you’re having a moment. How sweet is that!”

  Darcy couldn’t respond, too afraid her voice would reveal the depth of her emotions. Remembering the champagne in her hand, she took a sip.

  “So what’s up with you and Josh? You two are circling one another like a politician and a reporter over a sex scandal.”

  Darcy choked on her champagne, sending bubbles up her nose. Coughing and wheezing, her eyes watering even more, as Laura patted her on the back.

  “You’re supposed to drink it, not snort it. Here, have some water.” She snatched a bottle from the passing waiter.

  Darcy waved the water away and used the incident as an excuse to avoid responding to Laura’s too-close-for-comfort observation. Having narrowly made her escape, Darcy dashed up the stairs for a few moments to allow herself time to regroup and adjust to tonight’s startling revelation.

  Finding the solitude of her bedroom, she closed the door and paced her room. The music thrummed down below, as the muted sound of laughter floated up the stairs.

  She realized, with stunning clarity, that she’d never loved Doug, because she didn’t feel one-tenth of what she felt for Josh. She’d only been in love with who she wanted Doug to be. He’d hurt her, no doubt about that. But when you trusted someone and they abused that trust, of course you ached.

  Darcy picked up the photo of Josh at his graduation, holding up a bottle of cheap champagne someone had given him. Just when she thought things couldn’t get any more complicated. How long? How long had she loved him? Setting the photo back on the dresser, she took a deep breath, then released it.

  What now? What should she do about it? Josh had never indicated he felt anything for her but friendship. Well, except for the sex. But lust and love are two different things, and you didn’t need the latter to feel the former.

  Armed with this new knowledge, she’d just . . . be patient. See if Josh threw off any vibes. If impulsive sex wasn’t enough to botch a perfectly good friendship, then a one-sided confession of love could send it right over the cliff to an untimely death.

  Satisfied with her decision, she touched up her makeup, ran her fingers through her hair, and headed back down stairs. She stopped in her tracks at the bottom of the stairs, her hand to her mouth. Jiminy Cricket! She’d forgotten about Blake.

  Chapter 35

  “There’s my girl.”

  Josh froze, as he watched Blake gather Darcy in his arms and bury his face in her hair, before pulling back to plant a searing kiss on her lips.

  She might as well have flung a dagger at his heart. The crushing jealousy at her warm ‘welcome home’ made Josh stagger back a step.

  But what did he expect when Blake returned? That Darcy would realize she didn’t have feelings for him? That she would break it off with him? Blake may come from Fantasyland, but Josh didn’t.

  After they finally broke their liplock, Blake said something to Darcy that made her blush, and then, holding her hand in his, he and Darcy walked over to him.

  Blake extended his right hand. “Congratulations, Josh. You must be gratified by your accomplishment.”

  Josh didn’t want to take his hand, but in fairness to Blake, he had no idea the turmoil his mysterious existence created for Josh. “Thanks.”

  “Our Darcy’s very thoughtful to throw you a party.” Blake wrapped his arm around Darcy’s waist and pulled her close, before planting a kiss on the top of her head.

  Josh’s hands curled into fists. She’s not our Darcy. Clearly, she’s your Darcy. “Yeah.”

  Darcy wouldn’t look at him, suddenly finding the foyer rug fascinating, as the color rose in her cheeks. He had to get away before he did something that would embarrass them both.

  “Speaking of the party, thanks. I really appreciate it. My mother is pretty wiped out—jet lag—and the party’s winding down, so I’m going to take her home.” When did he turn into such a liar? Last time he saw his mom she was shaking her groove thing with one of the firm’s slightly inebriated senior associates.

  “Sure. I hope you both had a good time.”

  “Goes without saying. I can come by tomorrow after I take Mom to the airport and help clean up.”

  Darcy waved him away. “Don’t be silly. The caterers will handle most of the clean-up, and Millie and I can handle the rest.”

  Josh hesitated, then leaned over and kissed her cheek before snapping back like he’d been stung. He said his good nights and went to round up his mother.

  Late afternoon sun glinted off the water of the Hudson River, as pleasure boats and sailboats gave way to ferries transporting tourists to Ellis Island. Josh had achieved his goal. A partnership and a corner office with a view of the Hudson.

  The offices were dark and silent on a Sunday afternoon, especially on the partners’ floor. Any junior associates who’d come into work that day were two floors below.

  As he unpacked boxes of files and placed them in the drawers of his new desk, Josh wondered why, if this was what he’d wanted for so long now, he felt restless. Was it the bitterness of Darcy’s rejection that dispelled the sweet taste of success or was it truly dissatisfaction with his job?

  Over the past few months, he’d been mediating disputes for clients of the legal aid organization, and he’d enjoyed it. He had a knack for it, too. Maybe in all those years attempting to mediate disputes between his parents, he’d learned a thing or two. One thing he’d learned from his recent mediation experience, he liked mending fences better than he liked tearing them down.

  But the firm had trained him to litigate, and he was damn good at that too. It’s what he’d dreamed of since before entering law school. He’d devoured courtroom dramas like Law and Order, The Practice, and reruns of L.A. Law.

  He’d always felt he’d been born to litigate, to seek justice for his clients. His style didn’t tend toward the slick, smooth-talking Arnie Becker of L.A. Law. He simply wore his opponents down, backing them into corners with motions hearings, like a chess master wearing down his opponents.

  Tossing aside the empty box, he reached for another one filled with office supplies and began sorting and placing them in drawers and cabinets. His secretary had offered to set up his office, but he preferred to do it himself. Right now it gave him something to do while he sorted out his thoughts.

  He’d brought his mother by to see the new office earlier, on their way to the airport. Having her here for thi
s celebration meant a lot to him. She’d sacrificed so much. She deserved to see the results of all those years of making do with less.

  When he’d brought her into his new office, she just stood quietly, looking around, then turned to him, her eyes bright with unshed tears and said, “I never thought I could be more proud of you than the day you graduated from law school, but I was wrong.”

  He couldn’t help it, he’d gotten choked up at his mother’s words. Sighing, he opened another box, this one filled with his diplomas and his bar admission certificates for the entire tri-state area. Against the wall stood a couple of framed prints that Darcy had helped him pick out when he’d decorated his first office.

  Dragging his fingers through his hair, he looked around the box-cluttered office. He could really use her help now. She had an eye for what should go where. He’d just have to do the best he could with what little skill he had.

  Moving on to a box of weighty law books, he hoped that one day soon he and Darcy could mend their fences, and put all this discomfort and self-consciousness behind them. But he knew, even once mended, those fences would never be the same.

  A blank computer screen glared at Darcy, mocking her, daring her to type something, anything. She glared right back, willing it to display words that formed sentences that in turn, created paragraphs, producing pages, and eventually a completed manuscript. No luck. Fifteen thousand words behind and not a thought in her head.

  Dominic had morphed from an alpha-male stunt man with a dark past, to Blake’s polished sophistication, to Josh’s boy-next-door charm. As if that wasn’t bad enough, she’d been halfway through a love scene before she realized she’d written a hot door-sex scene.