Dream of Me: A Sweet Contemporary Romance (16 page)

Two evenings later, just as they finished dinner, the doorbell rang. Corbin went to answer it while Aubrey began clearing the table. Her first thought was Mandy had come. Though her hands betrayed her agitation, she continued to calmly wash dishes even while her ears strained to hear what was going on down the hall. The relief was overwhelming when she heard Corbin’s friendly greeting and the sound of the front door closing. That was too casual a tone for an ex-fiancé he hadn’t seen in years.

She was taken off guard when Corbin sauntered into the kitchen and removed the dinner plate from her hands. “You look so serious. Put a smile on your face. Phillip is waiting in the living room to see you. I’ll finish cleaning up.”

“You could have brought him in here.”

“I think he wants to see you alone.”

When she entered the room, Phillip beckoned her to the window. “I could get used to seeing this every night.”

“I know what you mean.”

“I finally got a chance to print the pictures of you, and speaking professionally, they’re better than I expected.”

“Considering what you had to work with?” Aubrey asked teasingly.

“Not at all. I had a hunch black and white film would suit you, but even I didn’t realize how well. Let’s sit down, and I’ll show you what I mean.”

As he pulled the glossy photos from an envelope, Aubrey wondered if he was exaggerating to make her feel better. As she glanced down, almost in fear of what she might see, she was surprised by how attractive she looked. She continued to stare at her unfamiliar image for several minutes saying nothing.

“So, was I right or what?” Phillip asked.

“I don’t know what to say.”

“You could comment on my artistic genius or something similar.”

“I’ve never had nicer pictures taken of me in my entire life. I can only say that if you can do this for me, I can’t wait to see your pictures of Mandy Martens.”

Phillip laughed. “In Mandy’s case, I could hardly go wrong with such natural beauty and perfection in form. But there is always the challenge to delve deeper and try to capture the essence of the person.”

“I’m sure you were able to overcome any obstacles.”

“Let’s hope so, my professional reputation is on the line.”

“Does she only work with certain photographers?”

“Yes, once you get as popular as she is, you can pick and choose. I couldn’t speak for five minutes when my boss said Mandy Martens wanted me.”

“There’s something most men only get to dream about,” Corbin said dryly.

The effect of his comment was electric. Both Phillip and Aubrey turned his way with varying degrees of dismay on their faces.

Phillip recovered faster than Aubrey. “I was referring to photographing her.”

Corbin took the chair opposite Phillip, taking his time crossing his long legs and looking not at all upset to be discussing the woman who walked out on him on their wedding day. “I never doubted it. If she’s half as beautiful today as she was when I knew her, you should have no problem getting some great shots.” Before the other man could comment further, Corbin noticed the pictures lying on the table. “Did you take these?”

“Yes, very much against Aubrey’s wishes.”

Corbin picked them up, taking his time looking at each one. Aubrey could hardly breathe as she waited for his reaction. “They’re very good. What made you think of using black and white film?” He arranged them side by side on the table.

Phillip looked at Aubrey. “I don’t know. It was a whim that paid off. Aubrey is even pleased with them.”

“She should be.” Corbin looked up suddenly and smiled directly into her slightly pink face.

Phillip watched the by-play between the other two with a gleam in his eyes, wondering if either realized how much their expression gave away. “Well, I should get moving. I have an early session in the morning and need my sleep.”

“Thanks for bringing the pictures, Phillip. I know how busy you are. May I keep one of them?”

“This set belongs to you. Give one to each of your boyfriends.”

Aubrey was surprised to find Corbin still seated in the living room when she returned from walking Phillip to his car. She scooped up the pictures, slid them into the envelope, and turned to go.

“You aren’t thinking of going to bed already, are you?” His quiet voice halted her.

“Not to bed, but I was going to wash my hair.”

“Can you spare me a few minutes?” After waiting for her to sit down, Corbin continued. “Phillip seemed excited about getting to work with Mandy. It’s too bad it had to take place here. I wonder if I’ll ever escape the stigma of the rejected groom.”

“We weren’t discussing Mandy in that context.”

“Don’t get so defensive. I’m not accusing you of anything.”

“I don’t want you to think I was telling Phillip what you told me.”

“I know you wouldn’t do that. And as long as I don’t do anything stupid, this entire situation should blow over in a matter of weeks.”

“What do you mean by stupid?” she asked with a note of panic in her voice.

Corbin smiled gently. “Losing my head over Mandy, of course. I know the danger this time so I should be better prepared.”

“Is it possible to guard your heart?”

He laughed softly. “The heart has a will of its own. It doesn’t listen to reason, ignores all the doubts and overlooks every fault. It will lead you into trouble every time.”

“Not every time,” Aubrey mused softly.

“There speaks the romantic again. Let’s talk about something more practical. Are you ready for a trip to Maine?”

A smile spread over her face. “You got it, didn’t you? The contract for those buildings in New England?”

Corbin nodded. “We’ll have to make a preliminary trip in the next few weeks to meet with the owner to create some kind of tentative schedule. We also have to decide on a place to set up our office.”

“This is going to be exciting.”

“It’s also going to be a more challenging environment, and the cooler weather is only one part of it. But I agree with you, it’s going to be a new experience for all of us. Before we can begin to think about any of that, we’ve got to finish up everything here including those articles for Phoebe.”

“And in order to do that, we’re going to need final pictures of the cottages. How soon can I come out there?”

“The carpenter was putting in the cabinets yesterday. The only thing left is the ceramic tile. I’d say two more days.”

“I can’t wait to see how everything turned out. Did you keep the window boxes?”

“Yes, your lovely window boxes have been given new life. The landscaper was filling them when I left yesterday. Enough talk about work. Go wash your hair.”

In her room, Aubrey absently laid the envelope on the bed. Though she was thrilled about Corbin winning the job in New England, she couldn’t help but remember his comments about his heart. He spoke like a man trying to escape an unpalatable truth while fighting an internal battle he’d already lost. How could Mandy still have such a hold on him?

For something to do, she drew out the pictures again and laid them on the bed. A small smile crossed her face – Corbin liked them. That was something she would remember every time she looked at them. After a moment, she counted and then counted again. She was positive Phillip had brought ten pictures, but must have been mistaken, for there were only nine. With a shrug, she went into the bathroom to wash her hair.

* * * *

The following afternoon Aubrey was sitting down to eat lunch when she glanced through the window and spied a woman coming up the stairs. There was no mistaking the features that had been seared into Aubrey’s memory. The smile was at the same time beguiling and confusing, the face even lovelier in person than in print.

Aubrey walked reluctantly to the door, her body stiffening with anger. How could Mandy appear so relaxed and carefree standing on the deck of the man she left at the altar? She callously ruined his chance of happiness and now wanted to be welcomed back into his life.

Aubrey opened the door slowly, forcing a smile to her lips.

“Hello, you must be Aubrey. I’m Mandy Martens.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Mandy. Please come in.”

Mandy stepped into the house with an eagerness that left Aubrey wondering if she possessed any sensibility at all.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt your lunch.”

Aubrey motioned her to a chair. “No problem; can I get you something?”

“No, thanks,” Mandy said as she sat down and looked around the room. “I’ve often thought of what it would be like to be here again.”

Did she mean on Tybee or in Corbin’s house?
Aubrey chose the former. “It must be difficult to get down this way with your schedule.”

Mandy smiled impishly into Aubrey’s strained features. “It wasn’t so much my schedule that kept me away; it was doubt about my reception. I’m sure you know how things played out between Corbin and me. But I always meant to return; that was always part of the plan.”

“I think you’ll find many things have changed since you left.” Aubrey felt Mandy deserved that for what could only be described as a nauseating show of confidence.

Mandy’s attractive laughter filled the room. “Nothing too permanent, I hope. I liked things the way they were before. I understand you know Phillip, the photographer I worked with last week.”

“I know him slightly; I met him through my sister.”

“You evidently made a great impression; he couldn’t stop talking about you.”

The words were friendly enough yet Aubrey couldn’t relax. This was all leading to something. “I don’t know what he could have said – we hardly know each other.”

“He said enough to make me curious to meet you.”

“I’ll have to thank him for his kind words.”

“Of course, I’d have wanted to meet you anyway because you work with Corbin. I couldn’t believe it when I heard you live here, too. ” Mandy looked at her speculatively for a minute. “You’re not at all what I expected.”

A brief smile touched Aubrey’s face. “I’m not sure what to say to that.”

“It’s actually a compliment. You’re a rare thing these days – a genuinely nice person. I won’t keep you from your lunch any longer.”

Aubrey stood at the window and watched as Mandy slowly became a speck on the horizon. Her lunch and the work needing her attention were forgotten. The opening and closing of the front door hardly impinged on her consciousness.

“I was beginning to think you’d been kidnapped. You’re usually glued to the computer screen at this time of day.”

Aubrey swung around slowly, hoping her agitation of mind wasn’t evident to Corbin. “That’s where I should have been, but I had a visitor.”

“You don’t seem to have enjoyed whoever it was.” He strolled over to the table and waved a hand toward her half-eaten meal. “Did your visitor keep you from eating?”

“I forgot about that.” She gathered her plate and walked to the sink, hoping Corbin would go elsewhere. Unfortunately, he seemed in no hurry to leave. Should she tell him about Mandy’s visit? Or was that playing right into the other woman’s hands?

Corbin watched her throw away her food without comment. Aubrey could almost hear the wheels turning in his head.

After a few tense moments, she asked, “Can I make you something?”

“No, thanks. Are you going to tell me who came to see you? Or should I guess?”

Aubrey’s eyes rose to meet his. “You already know, don’t you?”

“A man doesn’t forget the fragrance worn by the woman he fell in love with. It seems Mandy hasn’t changed in that respect at least.”

Her cheeks burning, Aubrey quickly looked away from him. After all this time, he still remembered Mandy’s perfume.

“Did she leave a message or was this just a test run to get the lay of the land?” he asked with a faint smile.

He might not be able to resist her, but he wasn’t taken in by her tactics.
“She left no verbal message, but her nonverbal one seems to have worked very well.”

Corbin nodded. “She should have been a movie director; she’s a master at setting a scene.” Not bothering to elaborate, he pointedly changed the subject. “I have a few calls to make, one of which is to Phoebe. I made the mistake of mentioning our trip to Maine. She wants first dibs on any articles I may choose to do on it.”

As Aubrey watched him go, she marveled at Corbin’s composure. He displayed none of the emotion she would have expected. It was as if Mandy’s reappearance amused him; like a parent enjoying the antics of a child.
Was she the only one worried about where all of this was going to end?

Chapter Nine

Though Corbin never again referred to Mandy’s visit, it was a subject that never completely left Aubrey’s mind. Mandy wasn’t a woman who left things to chance. Having excited his curiosity by coming to the house, would she be content to wait and let Corbin make the next move?

Either way, Aubrey wanted the suspense to be over. Between her romantic side chasing a dream in which Corbin suddenly falls in love with her and her more practical side telling her to find another job, Aubrey didn’t know which way to turn.
Was Corbin having a similar problem?

His words to her about his heart leading him into trouble had been more telling than he knew. If he hadn’t been able to forget Mandy after six years, all the preparing in the world wasn’t going to help him. Aubrey loved him enough to hope Mandy’s return would give him the happiness he sought.

With a suddenness typical of most things in life, the event Aubrey had been anticipating with such anxiety reached fruition. It happened on a day that began normally enough. Corbin, his desk covered with blueprints, supply lists and a stack of bills, buried himself in his office immediately after breakfast. Aubrey decided to get out of his way by going to the grocery store.

When she arrived home a few hours later, hungry and irritable, the first because she’d neglected to eat enough breakfast, the second because the store didn’t carry several items she needed, she could find no sign of Corbin in the house. Muttering under her breath, she carried in what seemed like twenty bags of groceries without assistance.