Page 69 of Between Never and Forever
“I don’t want my show to be this way. We still have time to change it. So, that’s what we need to do.”
“You think you get a choice? This is Trinity’s production, and we’re doing it how they’d want.” Frankie’s voice cut through the space in agitation now. His face had turned blotchy with red spots as he stalked up to me. Frankie was a large man, large enough to tower over a woman and make her feel small. In heels, though, I could stand my ground. I didn’t back up, not even one step. “Mitchell would be—”
“It’s not Mitchell’s or Trinity’s show.” I heard Dex’s voice from the back of the theater before I saw him. It rolled across the space smoothly but with a rumble of power, even if it sounded effortless.
How long had Dex been standing there? Watching me? Watching us? He stood there so quietly that we’d all missed his presence. Had he seen everything?
His hands were in the pockets of his navy suit pants, and he rocked back on his heels as if we were all having a casual conversation. Even from afar, though, I saw how straight he held his shoulders, how his chin was raised, head up tall, and how his eyes were locked on Frankie.
Frankie squinted out past the velvet seating and chuckled. “Sorry. We’re rehearsing here. If—”
“I’m here for the rehearsal.” Dex walked down the aisle slowly, and a few whispers were heard across my crew. “I want to hear my fiancée sing the second half of her show. I’d say that’s what? Six songs. Violins and piano only. Inmyresort.”
“So it’s true?” someone murmured, and then the dancers’ eyes flew to my hand. I think most of my team thought the social media post was a PR stunt because I didn’t talk about it and they didn’t ask. None of us were that close. We’d all been pushed together this last month for the concert because Trinity didn’t believe in flying dancers around with me.
I hadn’t worn my ring to rehearsals and never mentioned the engagement.
Until now.
Frankie nodded like he knew all too well what was going on. He rubbed his large belly while he scoffed and then shook his bald head before he stumbled over his words. “Mr. Hardy, so good to meet you. Mitchell has told me great things. Congratulations, by the way. On theengagement.” I noted that Frankie hadn’t congratulated me, even though Mitchell must have told him. He waddled over to the side stage where stairs that would be blocked off during the concert were located. He hurried to shake Dex’s hand like the man was a god.
My fake fiancé didn’t extend his hand though. He just stared at Frankie. “You’re aware that I own this resort?”
“I am.” Frankie dropped his hand and shuffled on his feet awkwardly.
“You’ve been informed of our engagement?”
“Well, yes. We’re all very happy with—”
“Good.” Dex walked over to me and extended his hand, signaling me to hop off the stage. When I did, he murmured in my ear, “Go with it.” And then he said loudly, “Missed you too much not to come see you today.”
He wrapped his arm around my waist, and I saw his smile before his lips descended on mine. He kissed me. Softly. Poetically. Like he loved me. And I kissed him back the same way because when Dex Hardy kissed me, my soul melted. I wanted the man who took care of me, who remembered my breakfasts, who’d saved me from that car wreck, who’d save me from anything.
He was doing it here too—saving me—even if he probably wouldn’t admit it later.
All I felt was him and the cocoon he wrapped me in. His full lips slid over mine, and when he stepped back, I whimpered because I didn’t want to let him go. He made a point to pull my engagement ring from his pocket and murmured, “You forgot to put this on this morning. Here.”
He slid it on slowly and then rubbed my knuckles with his thumb after. It’s when I saw that on his left hand, he now wore a gold band too. We hadn’t discussed it, but it was there, clearly showing everyone he was taken.
Then his gaze turned hard as he spun to face Frankie. “So, you’ve been informed of our engagement?”
Frankie nodded as he gulped.
“Good. It means you’re aware that my fiancée and I decide what happens in this theater. She has complete control if I’m unavailable, and towering over her while she’s making a decision won’t be tolerated ever again. She has the authority to fire you and replace you in seconds. You understand?”
“Mr. Hardy, let me explain.” His tone was cajoling. “As the creative director of Trinity’s artists across the globe, they have all had hit—”
“Is this a joke?”
“What?” Frankie squeaked.
“Do you think I have time for this? Because I don’t. I’ve had a long, frustrating day. I was in and out of meetings about the security measures we’re taking for all of you to stay here. I had to make a decision on investing in two more properties. Then I had to sit down with the Armanellis. Do you think I want to hear about the title of your job, Freddie?”
“Frankie.”
One of the dancers murmured, “Oh hell no,” to the other as Dex’s gaze turned lethal. It was like the theater’s lighting even dimmed with his mood as he took a step toward Frankie. He didn’t have to say a word. The tension all around us crackled with his frustration.
Maybe I hadn’t seen it with my best friend because he was just that to me. I didn’t see Dimitri exert his power, but here in this resort, I saw what the Hardy name meant, what Dex Hardy meant.
