“So get all those things. What else have you got going on? A very busy surfing schedule?”
“If Monica cared about me, she’d have called. She’s the one who broke it off.”
Jules laughed so hard she snorted. “You’re such a twat. She’s waiting for you to make the grand gesture.”
Cal kicked out at a chair leg as he stalked to the bookcases. First editions, lined up neatly. “She said not to contact her. Not to send gifts. She clearly doesn’t care about me.”
“Oh, Brother. You and your lame gifts.”
Now that was just insulting. He jerked his hands from his pockets and shook a finger at her. “I put a lot of thought into every gift I sent you, Juliette. Besides, I travel, and Monica doesn’t want a long-distance situation. She was very clear about it.”
“Take her with you.”
Cal paced to the door, thrusting his hands in his hair. Monica wanted to travel more than anything. Still, that job represented commitment to her family, to her mother’s memory. She wouldn’t walk away from it, not even for Paris.
“You’re scared,” she said.
Terrified, more like. Afraid Monica would throw his offer right back in his face. But even if she never agreed to take him back, Jules was right—he had to try. “A grand gesture, eh?” What kind of grand gesture would impress Monica Campbell?
George’s health was relatively stable—he had the best nurses and doctors at his disposal. Jules’s court date had been rescheduled. Cal had time to fly to Vegas, but how was he supposed to win her over? Monica wasn’t impressed with money or status. What could he possibly give her that she didn’t already have?
Chapter 23
Monica looked out over the party. Enormous tents lit by hidden spotlights and swathed in fabric dotted the garden like mushrooms. Every tree branch and bush had been wrapped in lights. Classical music played softly in the background. Portable heaters were scattered throughout, in case it got chilly.
People seemed to be enjoying themselves as they wandered around the garden, noting the trellises and fountains, the grotto and the waterfall swimming pool. Low chatter filled the air. The evening was warm, inviting…magical. The only thing missing was Cal.
But Monica had come to a decision yesterday. As soon as the party was over, she would head to L.A. She’d already booked her flight. She had an overnight bag packed and waiting in the guest room. Someone had to make the first move, right?
Maybe having it all wasn’t a realistic expectation, not with someone like Cal. But Monica loved him enough that she’d take whatever time she could get with him.
“We did it,” Allie whispered in her ear.
Monica turned to find her sister standing next to her, holding two glasses of champagne. Trevor stood behind Allie, tall and foreboding as his cool gaze took in the sight.
“Good God, what happened to my garden?”
Allie slapped the back of her hand against his chest. “We’ll put it back the way we found it.” She wore an off-the-shoulder light blue dress with lots of sparkles. When she handed Monica one of the glasses, Allie’s eyes widened. “You broke down and got a new dress? You look beautiful.”
Monica glanced down at her cleavage. “Is it too much?” She’d gone shopping last night, dragging Evan along for a second opinion. The fire-engine-red dress immediately made her think of Cal. Amazingly, it fit her without any alterations. Tight and strapless, it flared out at her knees, mermaid style. The price tag nearly made her pass out, but she had to have it. Besides, Monica couldn’t remember the last time she’d worn anything this formfitting. At least that’s how she justified the expense.
Allie pursed her lips as her eyes scanned Monica. “I’d say it’s just enough. But you’re not going to be able to hide in a corner tonight.”
“Yeah, I’m tired of hiding. It’s boring.” She sipped the champagne and took in a deep breath. The sweet smell of roses wafted on the air and mixed with the rich smell of meat coming from one of the tents. “I’m not sure how we pulled this off, but it’s better than the ballroom.”
“It is lovely,” Trevor said. “Although having my privacy invaded by all these people is tiresome. You’re going to have to make it up to me in some creative way, Allison.”
Allie reached up and kissed his jaw. “I can do creative,” she almost purred.
“Oh God, you two. Gross.” Monica looked away.
“We’re a good team, Monnie,” Allie said. “Sure you want to quit?”
“I’m sure.” Monica had never been more sure of anything. She’d put together a job description for her replacement, and at night, when she couldn’t sleep, Monica had revised her own résumé. She hoped she’d find something that suited her, where she could deal with real people instead of numbers.
Now Monica needed to get her personal life on track. What if she showed up in L.A. and Cal didn’t want to see her? Her stomach lurched. If he didn’t care for her, at least she’d know. She wouldn’t spend the rest of her life wondering about what-ifs. From now on, Monica planned on following her heart.
Her dad, Brian, and his wife, Karen, stepped out of the house and onto the terrace. As they made their way over, their eyes flickered around the garden. They’d just flown in from Texas the night before and hadn’t seen all the work that had gone into the transformation.
“Hey, Dad.” Monica hugged him, then kissed Karen’s cheek. “I’m glad you guys made it.”
“We wouldn’t have missed it,” Karen said. Dressed in a conservative silver gown, Monica’s stepmother looked lovely. Over the years, she’d grown on Monica, and Brian loved her to distraction. That had been hard on Monica at first, but she’d come to terms with it.
“Girls.” Brian cleared his throat. “This is so nice. Your mom would have loved this.”
“She would have told us not to make such a fuss, but I think she’d have been pleased,” Allie said. “In about ten minutes, I’m going to give my speech, and then I’ll bring you up on stage to say a few words, Mon.”
Monica nodded. “Sure.”
Brynn walked toward them and cast a glance over her shoulder. She wore a long ivory dress. More Renaissance Faire than charity fund-raiser, but she looked pretty. “Hey, Trev, do you know that guy? The really tall one?”
He flicked a glance over her head. “Never seen him before.”
Allie craned her neck to look past Brynn’s shoulder. “The beefy guy staring at your ass?”
Brynn’s cheeks turned red. “Yeah.”
“I’ve never seen him before either,” Allie said.
Monica tried to be a little more subtle, but the man’s gaze was unwavering. “Nope, but he’s cute. You should stop long enough to let him catch you.”
Brynn shook her head. “He’s not my type.”
Trevor buttoned his suit jacket. “I’ll go speak to him at once and tell him to keep his eyes in his fucking head.”
Brynn grabbed his arm. “No, don’t. I’m going to lose myself in the crowd.” She glanced at Monica. “Looks great. Good job.” Then she slipped away and melted into the shadows.
Out of the corner of her eye, Monica spotted Evan. How could she miss him in that bright blue jacket? She crossed the garden and stood next to him. He’d nabbed a handful of canapés and couldn’t shove them in his mouth fast enough.
When she reached him, he leaned down and brushed a kiss on her cheek. “You look good in that dress. Very fuckable.”
Monica raised one brow. “That’s the look I was going for. At the gala in my mother’s honor.”
“Sorry, I call ’em like I see ’em.” He snared a champagne flute from a passing waiter. “I think your dad’s wedding was the last time I was here.”
“Yeah, I wanted to thank you for the garden idea. You’re a genius.”
“You’re just now figuring that out? I’ve been telling you that for years.”