Millionaires' Destinies(63)
“We’re going tonight?”
“No time like the present. My desk is clear. Yours?”
“Clear enough,” she admitted. “I have plans with Destiny day after tomorrow.”
“I’ll take care of that. I’ll tell her we’re going on a romantic getaway before all the wedding frenzy takes over our lives. She’ll be delighted.”
“Maybe you can convince her not to do anything precipitous without us,” Melanie suggested hopefully. “Tell her we want to be a part of every decision. That way there’s a slight chance we won’t come back and find that every detail has been hammered out and nailed down with ironclad contracts.”
Richard nodded at the sensible suggestion. “Good idea. I’ll call now. You’d better get moving if you intend to be ready in an hour.”
She gave him a long, measuring look, then scooped up the negligee that made his mouth go dry, let it dangle sexily from a finger, and said, “How much packing will I need to do, if this is all you expect me to wear?”
Richard was still trying to form a coherent thought when she sashayed past him. Given that remark, he wondered if it was possible they could be on the road in thirty minutes. Of course, with his body in a state of complete and total arousal, it might be very wise not to leave his office for a while.
Melanie arrived back at her house to find Becky sitting at her desk, staring glumly at her computer screen.
“What are you doing here?”
“I came in because I needed to talk to a friend. Where were you?” she asked accusingly. “You told me you’d be working today.”
“Long story,” Melanie said, regarding Becky with concern, her own plans forgotten for the moment. “What’s wrong? They were all out of your size at Nordstrom’s?”
“I didn’t go shopping.”
That was so startling Melanie sank down in her own chair. “Why not?”
“I broke up with Jason.”
“Again? Why?”
“He’s been cheating on me.”
All of Melanie’s good feelings toward the man vanished at once. “How did you find out? Are you sure?” she asked, sharing Becky’s indignation.
“I spotted him with a woman in the men’s department,” Becky said. “Trust me, I recognized all the signs. She was practically drooling over him.” She regarded Melanie with obvious misery. “And that was after he’d told me he’d rather be carved up into itty-bitty pieces than go shopping right after Christmas. He knew where I was going. He wanted me to see them together. The coward. It was easier than being honest with me.”
“You’re right. It was a cowardly thing to do,” Melanie agreed. “But, Becky, wouldn’t you rather know the truth?”
“No,” Becky said at once, then sighed. “Okay, yes, but it’s the holiday season. Who will I be with on New Year’s Eve?” She regarded Melanie hopefully. “We could do something. There’s still time to plan a party.”
Melanie debated telling Richard they would have to be back for New Year’s Eve, then decided against it. They had their own problems to sort through.
“I can’t.”
“You have a date?”
“In a way. Richard and I are going away.”
Becky’s mouth dropped open, her own sad plight momentarily forgotten. “You’re kidding! Where? When?”
“We’re going back to the cottage at the beach.” She glanced at her watch. “In about twenty minutes. I need to pack.”
“Then go. Don’t worry about me.”
Melanie hesitated. It didn’t seem right to abandon her friend now. “Will you be all right?”
Becky gave her a brave smile. “Aren’t I always? It’s not like this will be the first New Year’s Eve I’ve ever spent alone.”
“Don’t spend it alone,” Melanie urged her. “Promise me you’ll call someone, go out to dinner, go to a movie, something. Do not stay at home and cry over Jason the jerk.”
Becky squared her shoulders. “Don’t worry. I’ve shed my last tears over him.” Her expression brightened. “In fact, I think I’ll go home right now and take a pair of scissors to all those expensive designer shirts of his.”
“There you go,” Melanie said. “He deserves that and more.”
Becky’s good mood promptly deflated. “Of course, that’s probably just what he expects me to do. That’s probably one more reason he was buying shirts on sale today.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Melanie said. “You’ll still feel better once you’ve savored a little revenge. Just remember how he loves his wardrobe. I always thought there was something a little weird about that. The man spent more on clothes than we do.”