Page 20 of The Present

“Hal!” Tess hopped out of her car, parked in a No Parking Zone outside of the arrivals terminal of O’Hare, and waved frantically. It was before noon, but the traffic had been horrible on New Year’s Eve, of course, and she’d been sure she’d be late.

He spotted her, raised a hand, and hurried toward her. “Fly out of one snowstorm in Aspen and into another one in Chicago. Guess that’s what I get for flying on a holiday. Hi.” Hal threw his bag in the back seat, then grabbed her and kissed her. Not a quick peck, but a long, thorough, deep-seated kiss that made her toes curl. “Miss me?”

“You’d better believe it.” She’d thought about him constantly, even though she’d known it wasn’t a good idea. The pawned earrings still weighed heavily on her conscience.

“Then let’s head to my place. The event planner and caterers should be there by now. I can’t wait to see what they’ve done to the place.” He was about to get into the passenger seat, then paused. “Do you want me to drive? I’m not saying you’re not a good driver, but downtown traffic can be brutal this time of day and the snow only makes it worse.”

“By all means.” Tess had no illusions about her driving skills. She always used the train if she was going downtown. “I have no problem at all with having a chauffeur.”

“Then let’s switch.” He ran around the front of the car, while she ran around the back.

Laughing, she plopped down in the passenger seat and buckled up. “Let’s go, Jeeves.”

“So you brought your weekend bag?” he asked as he pulled out into the traffic that seemed to have intensified.

“I did.” Yesterday he’d texted her asking if she’d spend the weekend with him so they wouldn’t have to run back and forth to her apartment. Tess had been floored, and agreed immediately. She’d spent most of last night making certain she’d packed absolutely everything from sexy underwear to her ensemble for the party to her terry after-shower turban.

“Good. I can’t wait to see what you’re wearing to the party.” He glanced at her, and grinned. “Can I at least know the color? I’ll have on a black tux, but I’d like to bend tradition just a little and wear a color square in the color of your dress.”

Tess laughed. “I’m sorry but I don’t think that’s going to work.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’m wearing black too.” Tess had brought her best, most classy dress for this party. “My classic ‘little black dress’ that’s got a modern flare. It’s got this halter-like collar that cuts in like a Vee, making it sleeveless…” She trailed off when she noticed Hal frowning. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m sorry, I just can’t see what you’re talking about.” He stifled a yawn. “Probably because I’m so freakin’ tired. But I’m sure you look amazing in it.” He patted her hand. “And the diamond earrings should look perfect with anything black. Platinum always does.”

“The earrings?” Tess’s whole body froze, as if she’d turned to stone. She stared straight ahead at the thickening snow, unable to breathe.

“Yes, the ones I gave you.” He peered at her. “I asked you to bring them so you could wear them at the party. In the email.” One eyebrow lifted. “You did get the email, right?”

Tess nodded, still unable to speak. She’d gotten it and read it up until he’d asked her to spend the weekend. At which point she’d gone batshit crazy and started packing her suitcase without actually finishing the email. “I…I guess I didn’t see that part, Hal.” She smiled at him, but it felt unnatural. “I was so excited by your invitation I didn’t see you wanted me to bring the earrings.”

“Oh, okay.” He checked the side mirror and pulled into the left turn lane. “We can swing by your place now so we won’t have to go out again.” He smiled at her, then cocked his head. “What’s wrong?”

How had she not known this was going to happen? Ignoring something was no guarantee it wouldn’t. She’d always had a fifty-fifty chance Hal wouldn’t learn she had pawned the earrings. Now, like the flip of a coin, she’d just lost. “They aren’t at my apartment.”

“What do you mean?” He frowned, his eyes on the road as he turned the car. “Where are they?”

“I pawned them.” They were maybe the hardest words she’d ever had to speak.

“You pawned them?” The furrow between his eyes deepened. “Why?”

Tears threatened to choke her. “It’s a long story.”

“Okay. Hang on.” They drove in silence for several minutes until he turned and pulled the car into a hotel parking lot. Hal put the car into park then turned to her, his face strangely wiped clean of emotion. “Now, tell me this long story.”

Blinking back tears, Tess cleared her throat and launched into the tale. She had to make Hal see that she was desperate else she’d never have done such a thing.

He sat listening, saying not a word, until she got to the part where she went to Janice for help. “Well, that was an act of desperation if ever there was one.”

Tess shrugged. “There was no one else I could turn to. And it still didn’t work. She wouldn’t help me.”

“Of course, she wouldn’t. She’s too self-centered to help anyone but herself. And in your case, too jealous at the moment.” Hal shook his head. “Well, the earrings are yours and you can certainly do what you want with them. But what I don’t understand is why you didn’t come to me for help.”

“Wh…what?” She didn’t think she’d heard him correctly.

“We were talking and texting all week. Why didn’t you tell me what had happened?” He truly looked perplexed. “I could have sent you the money.”

“But…but we’d only been seeing each for a few days, Hal. I didn’t think it was right.” She kept her gaze on her hands clenched in her lap. “I didn’t want you to think I was trying to take advantage of you.”

“Look at me, Tess.” He lifted her chin and turned her face toward him. “You should have trusted me to understand. I know we don’t know each other that well yet, but I swear you can trust me. I wouldn’t have thought you were trying to take advantage of me because I’m wealthy. There are women who would do that, sure. But you’re not one of them. I know that much.”

“You do?” She liked this man so much. She wanted to believe him.

“Yes, I do.” He cupped her cheek, a tender look in his eyes. “I dated your sister, remember? And others who wanted something from me other than my sparkling personality.”

Tess smiled and grasped his hand. “I want you for something other than just your personality too, you know.” She kissed his palm, flicking her tongue out to tickle his flesh.

He growled in approval. “I’m glad to hear it. That will make this weekend even more fun. Now,” he pulled out his phone, “what pawn shop did you use?”

“Abbot’s Jewelry and Loan. They were closest to my apartment. Why?”

“Siri, get directions to Abbot’s Jewelry and Loan,” he spoke into the phone. “Because we’re going there now and getting those earrings back.” Hal turned a gaze on her hot enough to make her catch her breath. “I want everyone at the New Year’s Party to see you wearing them.” His eyes darkened even more. “And afterward I want to see you wearing only them.”