The Man Upstairs (You, Me & The Kids) Page 8

  Dena glanced in the full-length mirror. She had on a pair of jeans and a camel blazer. “I suppose I could add a scarf,” she said, pulling open her closet to reveal an entire rack of silk scarves.

  “These are great,” Krystal said, running her fingers across the luxurious fabrics.

  She chatted incessantly while Dena tried several scarves, discarding each one in indecision. “Are you sure this is dressy enough?” she asked, staring at her reflection in the mirror.

  “If you want to change into something that makes you feel more comfortable, go ahead, but I think you look great,” the stylist said, eyeing her critically.

  That was the problem. Dena didn’t have anything that could make her comfortable in a crowd of strangers.

  Some of her angst must have shown on her face, for Krystal said, “You’re not nervous about meeting Leonie’s friends, are you? You shouldn’t be. They’re all really cool.”

  “Yeah, cool strangers,” Dena pointed out, retying the knot on the scarf.

  “If you’re nervous, you should wear something blue. I read in Cosmo that it calms a person.” Seeing Dena’s dubious look, she quickly added, “It’s true. The sight of blue triggers your brain’s natural tranquilizers.”

  Dena whipped off the scarf around her neck and pulled another one from her closet. It was screen-printed with a replica of a painting by Monet, one of her favorite artists. She draped it around her shoulders.

  “That looks great. You always manage to take ordinary clothes and make them unique with your accessories,” Krystal complimented her. “It must be the artist in you.”

  “Thanks,” Dena said as she ran a brush through her hair. She was about to pin it back with a leather slide when Krystal stopped her.

  “No, don’t do that. Just let it hang. With your natural wave, you have a Veronica Lake look.”

  “But it’ll fall into my eyes,” Dena protested as she set the brush down.

  “So what? Guys love that.”

  “Guys?” She grimaced. “This party isn’t some sort of matchmaking event for Leonie’s clients, is it?”

  Krystal laughed. “No, Leonie would never do that. She has a life outside of work, just like the rest of us. Besides, she’s a romance coach, not a matchmaker. You’ll have a good time. And I can promise you the food will be fabulous.” She beckoned to her with her hand. “Now come. We’re missing all the fun.”

  Dena took a deep breath as she descended the staircase to the first floor. When she saw how many people filled the house, she wanted to turn around and go right back up the stairs. She’d never been very good at walking into a room full of strangers and making small talk. Krystal, however, wasn’t about to let her escape, keeping a firm grip on her arm.

  She took her around, introducing her to an eclectic group of people. Some were neighbors, others were professional acquaintances of Leonie’s, and others were family. Krystal seemed to know all of them, and Dena was grateful she had the effervescent stylist at her side.

  Then everything changed. A tall, dark-haired man came toward them, a determined look in his eyes. When Krystal saw him, she muttered, “Omigosh, he’s back!” Then she rushed into his arms, embracing him in a way that left no doubt in anyone’s mind that he was more than a friend.

  When they finally separated, Krystal looked back at Dena, then pulled the man by the hand toward her. “This is Roy.”

  Dena smiled and acknowledged the introduction, making the usual small talk. It didn’t take long for her to see that the only reason Roy had come to the party was to be with Krystal. He couldn’t take his eyes or his hands off her for even a minute. The way his arm snaked around her waist sent a message to Dena. He was ready to be her companion for the rest of the evening.

  Dena wasn’t about to stand in the way. She excused herself and headed for the hors d’oeuvres table. She was debating which ones she should try when she heard a voice say, “The shrimp pâté is really good.”

  Dena turned to see a slender man standing behind her.

  He stuck out his hand and said, “Hi, you’re Dena, right?” Seeing her puzzled look, he added, “I’m Garret Donovan, Leonie’s son. We met at Maddie and Dylan’s wedding.”

  Dena smiled. “Of course. How are you?”

  “Considering the number of people in this room, I’m good,” he said, returning her smile. “What about you?”

  She glanced around. “For this size of a crowd, I’m doing okay, too.”

  “You probably don’t know many people.”

  “Actually, I think Krystal has introduced me to almost everyone in the room.”

  “That sounds like Krystal,” he said with a grin. “Where is she, by the way?”

  Dena looked over to where Roy and Krystal stood entwined. “Over there.”

  Garret’s glance followed hers. “Who’s her Siamese twin? I didn’t think she was bringing anybody to the party tonight.”

  “Oh, she didn’t bring him. I don’t think she even knew he was in town. She said his name is Roy.”

  “That’s Roy?” He frowned.

  From the look on his face, Dena could see that it pained the young doctor to see Krystal with another man. Unless she was mistaken, he had it bad for the stylist and needed to be distracted.

  “Were you about to get something to eat?” she asked, gesturing to the table of food.

  He turned his attention back to the buffet. “The food is the only reason my mother was able to convince me to come to this thing.”

  “You don’t like parties?”

  “Oh, I like them all right—if they have two or fewer people,” he quipped, reaching for a plate.

  “I know exactly what you mean. Except I can handle up to four people at a time,” she said with a wry grin.

  He bent to say close to her ear, “Then would you mind telling me what we are doing here?”

  “Pleasing your mother, maybe?”

  He picked up a celery stick and waved it at her. “Good point.” His eyes scanned the room. “Wait here a minute and I’ll be right back.” He handed her his plate. “Fill this up for me, will you?” Then he disappeared.

  By the time she had sampled most of the hors d’oeuvres, he was back at her side and carrying two glasses of wine. “Here. Let’s trade.” He offered her one of the wineglasses in exchange for a plate of food. “Now, if you’ll follow me, I’ll show you where we can eat in peace.”

  She allowed him to lead her away from the crush of bodies and down the hallway to Leonie’s office. He pushed open the door and gestured for her to enter. “I asked Mom if we could use this room.”

  “It’s definitely quieter, isn’t it,” she said, sitting down in one of the leather wing chairs.

  “I think it’s probably the only room on the first floor that doesn’t have people in it,” he said as he took the chair next to hers so they were side by side. “Even Jason’s room has bodies crammed into it.”

  “Jason’s your younger brother, right?”

  He nodded. “He’s living in California right now, but Mom hasn’t given up hope that he’ll come back to Minnesota and return to school. She hasn’t touched a thing in his room except to dust. He dropped out of college to go be with his girlfriend, who’s pursuing her dream of becoming an actress.”

  “Ah. I see why she hasn’t redecorated the room,” she said with an understanding smile.

  “That was a year ago,” he pointed out.

  “Then he must be doing all right.”

  “He’s happy. That’s what really matters.”

  “What about you? Are you happy being a doctor?”

  “If you’re asking me if I like my work, the answer is yes. The hours, however, are another thing. Residents get very little sleep, and my social life is practically nonexistent. I did finally manage to get a night off, and look at where I am—at a party.” He chuckled in self-deprecation. “How smart is that?”

  He wasn’t expecting an answer and said, “So how do you like living at 14 Valentine Place?” />
  “So far I like it,” she answered honestly. “This is a great house. Your mom has done a wonderful job of renovating it. And she’s a good landlady, although I’m sure you’ve heard that before.”

  “Yes, I have. Has she told you the history of this place?” When Dena shook her head, he proceeded to tell her how his great-grandfather had the house built back in the early 1900s. All of it was interesting, but it was his tales about the escapades of him and his brothers when they were children that had her laughing out loud.

  “Is this a private party or can anyone join in the fun?”

  The sound of Quinn’s voice had Garret’s and Dena’s heads turning. There, filling up the doorway, was the hockey player. He wore a forest-green sweater and a pair of casual slacks. The bruise around his eye had faded to a barely noticeable yellow.

  “Quinn!” Garret jumped to his feet. “Come on in. You know Dena, don’t you?”

  “Yes,” he said, pinning her with a gaze that said they shared a secret.

  “I was just telling her some of the things my brothers and I did in this house when we were kids. You probably would remember a lot of them.” Then he turned to Dena and said, “Quinn’s from the neighborhood.”

  “So I’ve heard.” Dena looked at Quinn as she spoke, giving him the same furtive look he’d given her.

  “Shane and I are the ones who taught him to play hockey,” Garret said with a wink.

  “Yeah, and I inspired him to become a doctor,” Quinn teased. “I usually ended up bleeding out on that backyard rink, and Garret was the one who always applied a pack of snow to stop it.” There was a wistful twinkle in his eyes.

  “Did you just get here?” Garret wanted to know.

  Quinn nodded. “Your mom told me I’d find you in here.”

  “You know me and parties. Want to join us?” Garret shoved his plate to the other side of the desk. “Here. Take my chair. I’ll use Mom’s.”

  Quinn stepped into the room, carrying a bottle of Rolling Rock beer. As he took the chair next to Dena’s, she caught the outdoorsy scent of his cologne.

  He had barely sat down when Leonie stuck her head into the office. “Forgive me for interrupting, but I need to steal Garret for a couple of minutes.”

  Like a dutiful son, the young doctor jumped to his feet and followed Leonie back out into the crowd of partygoers, but not before giving Dena and Quinn orders to carry on without him.

  When they were alone, Quinn said, “I like your hair.”

  Dena had to fight the urge to brush it away from her face. “It was Krystal’s idea to leave it loose.”

  “Krystal knows her stuff.” He took a long swig of the beer, then said, “You’re missing out on the excitement being in here.”

  “I think I’ve had enough excitement for one night,” she told him, setting her fork down on her plate. “And food.”

  “Good. I have, too.” He stood and leaned over her chair. “Let’s go someplace else.”

  “But I thought you just got here.”

  “I did.”

  “Then you can’t leave!” she protested.

  “Why not? I only came to see you.” He took her plate from her and set it on the desk. “Come. I want to show you something.”

  “But what about Garret?”

  “He’s a big boy. He’ll be fine.”

  “Maybe, but I still need to say goodbye to Leonie.”

  He shrugged. “Sure. You’ll need to get your coat, too. And some gloves. And a hat.”

  “Where are you taking me?”

  His grin was cagey. “You’ll see.”

  CHAPTER FIVE

  QUINN WAS WAITING for Dena on the second-floor landing when she came out of her apartment. He’d covered his forest-green sweater with a leather jacket and his head sported a stocking hat, cocked at an angle. His hands were bare, but she noticed a pair of gloves sticking out of his pockets.

  “I’m glad you didn’t change your hair,” he said.

  Again Dena was reminded of Krystal suggesting that guys found long hair sexy, and she was glad she’d taken her advice. She tugged on her tweed cap, saying, “Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”

  “I think I’ll let it be a surprise.” His arm brushed hers as they walked down the stairs side by side.

  When they stepped outside, he automatically reached for her elbow to steady her on the slippery walk. They were halfway across the yard when he took her by the shoulders and turned her around. “Look.”

  She followed his gaze and saw a big round moon. “It’s lovely.”

  “Yes, and it’s perfect for what I have in mind.”

  She waited for him to kiss her, but he didn’t. Instead, he led her over to the SUV, where he opened the door and made a gallant sweeping gesture indicating she should get in.

  “So we get to travel for this surprise,” she said, hoping he’d tell her where they were going. He didn’t.

  It turned out that they weren’t going far. He’d only driven a few blocks when he turned into a parking lot. “This is it,” he said, shutting off the engine.

  Dena looked outside and saw playground equipment peeking out of the drifted snow. There was a small building in the distance, but no lights shone anywhere. Quinn hopped out of the car and came around to open her door for her.

  “Come around to the back,” he instructed her. “I have something for you.”

  What he had was a square box. Even in the dimness of the SUV’s dome light she could see the package markings. Inside were women’s figure skates.

  “Go ahead. Open it,” he urged as he handed it to her.

  She pulled off the lid and saw a pair of skates. A peek inside the tongue told her they were the correct size. “How did you know what size I am?”

  “You left your boots down by the door,” he said with a crooked grin.

  She lifted a skate from the box and held it up for inspection. It smelled of new leather and the blade sparkled in the moonlight. “They’re lovely, but I don’t know how to skate.”

  “I know. I’m going to teach you.”

  “That’s very sweet of you to offer, but I think it’s better if the only thing that’s between my foot and the ground is the sole of my shoe,” she said, stuffing the skate back in the box.

  “I promise I won’t let you fall.”

  “Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” she warned him. “You don’t know how uncoordinated I am when it comes to sports.”

  “Figure skating isn’t just a sport. It’s an art…and I know you’re very artistic.” His tone was as sweet as honey. “And it would be a shame to waste a moon like that.” He glanced skyward.

  Dena had to admit it was a beautiful sight. The full moon cast a glow over the entire park, reflecting off the snow with a luminescence that most photographers could only dream to capture on film.

  “Isn’t this park closed after ten p.m.?”

  “To most people, yes.”

  She raised one eyebrow. “So being a Cougar grants you special privileges with the parks department?”

  He grinned. “No, having an uncle who’s in the parks and rec department does, though.” He held up a set of keys, dangling them in midair. “We have the warming house all to ourselves…if we want it. You can warm up those toes if you get cold.”

  Getting cold wasn’t what worried her. It was making a fool of herself that had her feeling anxious.

  “What do you say? Should I help you lace up your skates?” he asked.

  He could be very persuasive when he chose to be. She looked at that handsome face pleading with her to give him a chance and found herself saying, “I think I can manage to get them on my feet, but I’m warning you. You better not laugh when I fall.”

  “You’re not going to fall,” he said with confidence as he reached behind her for his own skates.

  Dena had her doubts as she laced up the figure skates. To her surprise, she had no problem when she stood. Although she was a little wobbly, with Quinn’s arm to ste
ady her she managed to walk over to the skating rink without feeling like a total klutz. Getting onto the ice, however, was another story.

  Despite Quinn’s promise that he wouldn’t let her fall, she came very close to doing just that as her feet slid out from beneath her and she toppled backward. Technically, her body didn’t hit the ice because Quinn grabbed her by her arms and kept her from going all the way down to the ground, but she knew that she had come dangerously close to being sprawled out in a very unladylike manner.

  “Upsey daisy,” he said, propping her back up as if she were a rag doll. “Here. You better stick close to me,” he said, wrapping his arm around her tightly.

  To her surprise, he didn’t give up when at first she didn’t succeed. “I think it’s my ankles,” she told him as she struggled to stay on the skates.

  “Just relax. You’re doing fine,” he said, keeping his hold on her. “You just need to find your balance.”

  “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. I don’t have any unless the soles of my feet are flat on the ground.”

  He didn’t pay any attention to her protests. Nor did he run out of patience as he instructed her in the basics of skating. Eventually she was able to glide around the ice without his assistance. He stood watching her in amazement, as if she’d just accomplished a walk on the moon.

  “I knew you could do it!” His grin was wide, his stance proud.

  “I can, can’t I?” she said with an almost childlike jubilation.

  Then he hooked his arm in hers and led her around the rink. When they came to a stop, she stumbled but didn’t fall, because he caught her against his chest.

  “This is exactly what I had in mind,” he told her, taking advantage of their closeness. She could feel his warm breath on her face, and it was all very romantic until she lost her balance.

  In a moment of panic she grabbed onto his jacket and pulled him down with her. They went tumbling into the snowbank that rimmed the ice until he lay sprawled on top of her. Startled, she looked into his eyes and saw that he, too, had been caught off guard.

  “I’m sorry,” she said, her heart pounding in her chest.