Serenity went toward her, opened her arms and asked, "Do you have a minute?"

  "I'm surprised you're here, Serenity." Kiwi sat at her desk after their hug.

  Serenity pulled the black modern leather seat toward the desk. "Why? I work here."

  She’d have to tell Kiwi how she’d already messed up her baby’s life.

  Her friend lifted two contracts, both with the name Morgan on the letter head. She crossed her arms. "Shouldn't you be on your honeymoon?"

  If anyone would understand, it would be her friend. Serenity hugged her waist. "We didn't go. I'm getting divorced."

  Kiwi's lips parted as she stared at her with those brown eyes of hers. "Don't tell me you're upset about your sister. She doesn't deserve that power."

  Serenity shook her head fast and embraced the adrenaline fully in her system. "It's not about Serena."

  Kiwi leaned closer. "What is it then?"

  Damien's kiss still tingled on her lips from her dream last night and the baby in her belly deserved happiness. How to explain? She let her hands fall to her side, but she kept her gaze down. "It's me. I shouldn't have married him. I went in with the wrong intentions."

  The sound in Kiwi's throat said without words she didn't believe that this was the whole truth. Kiwi instead said, "I thought you were keeping an open mind?"

  Her heartbeat grew faster and she adjusted the collar of her blue t-shirt. "I tried."

  Kiwi stood, but then looked over her and toward the front door. Serenity turned and saw vases of bright red roses being brought out of a delivery van. Kiwi dragged Serenity back through the dark lobby, flipping on the lights. Serenity went toward the door. "There are flowers being delivered before 8 in the morning and we both know they're not for me."

  They left the office and went into the foyer for the spa. The water fountain splashed and gurgled. "Why would they be-"

  Kiwi let the delivery guy in, signed for the flowers, showed her the card and handed her the bouquet. "The card says 'I'm sorry, Serenity. Damien.'"

  But he hadn’t done anything wrong. Not really. He didn’t need to apologize. She hugged it to her chest and for a second let the sweet scent wash through her. "Damien shouldn't have done this."

  Kiwi made a face that seemed like she disagreed but she let the delivery guy out. "Seems to me he doesn’t want a divorce."

  What if he’d said I love you? The thought paralyzed her though her blood flow increased from her heart. She stepped back and her eyes must have bugged out of her face because Kiwi gave her a strange look. Serenity shook her head. "I can't."

  They walked back to Kiwi's office though Serenity held the bouquet of flowers to her nose. If Damien wanted to speak, perhaps she should listen. He was a good man, underneath. She almost tripped on her left foot but caught the corner wall.

  Kiwi seemed not to notice her clumsiness. "Look, this might be a bad time but two different Morgans have offered me a high paying job."

  The papers on her desk. If she lost her best friend, she’d be devastated, but Kiwi deserved to be happy. They walked in and Serenity left her vase of roses on the side table. "What? Who?"

  Kiwi picked up one of the two piles and handed it to Serenity. "Victoria Morgan, through Caro, has offered me a chance to be a shoe designer. She adored your shoes at the wedding, and before that, on the yacht for Peter’s wedding. You know I love shoes."

  Her friend was creative and had customers already through the spas contacts. A professional contract would make the most sense. "Wow, that's great."

  Kiwi hitched a hip on her desk and showed Serenity the other offer. "Peter Morgan saw how I kept your books and helped you grow Calm Serenity from one spa to multiple. He thinks I'd do well in his bank empire."

  If she was to lose her best business partner, her best friend, she hoped it was so that Kiwi would follow her dreams. Serenity put the banking offer down beside her fast. "No, Kiwi."

  Kiwi bit on her lower lip and lowered her head. "Look, I've always said money mattered but friendship matters too. Would you be okay if I left here? I’ll train someone before I go so you’re not in a lurch."

  Nothing on earth would be better as long as Kiwi followed her heart and not her wallet, though Serenity had no idea how to manage her spas once she left. "Yes, of course. Kiwi, I hope you go for the shoes and follow your passion, not your wallet and clear talent in accounting."

  Kiwi flipped her curly hair. "I thought you'd say that. Caro set up a tour for me to see the facilities in Miami."

  They both looked up as three more delivery men entered Calm Serenity. Kiwi stood at her door. "There are more flowers."

  "This is too much." Serenity signed for all of them, her mind whirling.

  Kiwi accepted one of the bouquets and scanned the card. Once the delivery men left, Kiwi handed the card over. "Read this."

  Have dinner with me tonight. Damien. Serenity's heart beat faster than she thought possible. Perhaps she should listen to his phone messages now—she hadn’t wanted to hear his voice, knowing it would be painful. She closed her eyes and recalled Damien’s broad shoulders and dark hair as he’d swept her around the dance floor the night of Peter and Belle’s wedding, after he’d saved her life. She opened her eyes and saw Kiwi instead. She shook her head. "I shouldn't. I told him I wanted a divorce. He should be angry at me."

  “Clearly he doesn’t want a divorce.” Another delivery person walked through the glass doors of her spa. Kiwi pushed for her to speak while she said, "I get the feeling the gifts will continue until you agree to dinner."

  The delivery person held a black box and asked, "Mrs. Serenity Morgan?"

  Technically she was, despite her departure from the mansion. Her skin was electric, but she took the pen from the delivery man to sign. "Yeah, I guess that's me."

  "Please sign here." He handed her the box.

  She held a heavy but small box that clearly came from a designer jeweler. Instead of opening it, she grasped it in her palm.

  Kiwi asked, "What is it?"

  If she opened it and liked it, was she that easily bought? Serenity put the gift on the lobby counter. Kiwi picked it up and shook it. "It feels like jewelry."

  It probably was and it was probably gorgeous. She took the package and ripped off the paper that hid the box. "Let me open it."

  The word Bvlgari appeared and she knew without a doubt that what waited inside was top rate. She flipped it open and her eyes felt blinded from the spectacle. The matching set of diamond earrings, necklace and bracelet belonged at the highest level of society functions. She turned the box and showed Kiwi while her eyes adjusted to normal light again. "It's a diamond necklace. I can't possibly wear this. It's way too large."

  Kiwi looked beyond the necklace and picked up the small card. "Read the note."

  She was clearly a “read the card before opening the present” personality. Serenity read Damien's note, For dinner tonight, I need you. Please wear this small token. Damien

  No word of love graced the note or any of them. Serenity warned herself that accepting dinner was a bad idea, but her hands clutched the note to her heart and hope that he might feel something for her sprung. "I shouldn't."

  Kiwi touched her arm. "Serenity, are you over him?"

  She’d told herself that she didn’t care. But if she felt nothing, none of this would matter so much. The idea of holding his hand while he walked with her next to the Seine in Paris and told her how he grew up played like a dream in her mind. It felt so real. She looked down at the necklace. "No. I intend to drown all feelings until they go away."

  Kiwi shook her head, gazed at the blue box and then tilted her head. "Or you become an adult and face what's in your heart. I don't know what happened between you two but it's clear your husband wants to make up."

  Another man appeared with a package. Kiwi motioned with her shoulder. "Here comes another one." She straightened her black spa outfit over her bright pink flats with hand-painted blue diamonds and said, "I hope it's earrings."

  No need. Serenity knew she held top of the line that didn't belong in a hired car or in her spa. There was no safe place to hold something of this value. The hum in her veins had nothing to do with pride. Or at least she hoped not. "The necklace has a set that matches. I didn't show you?"

  Kiwi's lips parted again. "No."

  The delivery man asked, "Mrs. Serenity Morgan?"

  "Yes, I'll sign." Serenity stood and took the next package which was heavier and hung on a hanger.

  She walked over to the counter and held the clothes in her arms along with the jewels.

  Kiwi went behind the counter for a better view. "Open it."

  Might as well finish seeing everything. She unzipped the House of Morgan designer bag and pulled out the dress to show Kiwi. Her eyes widened. Before she’d fallen into the ocean she'd liked her jeweled, sparkly, short ice blue dress. This was clearly an upgrade as no sparkle seemed cheap. She met her friend's gaze. "It's a dress, like the one I wore to the wedding where we met, though this one is slightly more designer chic."

  Kiwi propped her face on the counter and smiled. "Call your husband and agree Serenity. I get the feeling none of this will stop until you do."

  If only she could. She put the jewelry on the counter and pulled her phone from her pocket. First, she listened to Damien's message. I missed you Serenity. I'm sorry. I'd like to start over with you. This explained the dress. She swallowed. Kiwi was right. She took the diamonds and jewels to her office. Kiwi didn't say a word while Serenity closed her office door.

  Once she was in there, Serenity called Damien back. The moment he said hello, her heart stopped. If she talked too much, she'd appear weak, and that wasn’t the image she wanted to portray. She lifted her chin and imagined his strong jaw as he leaned down to kiss her. "Damien, pick me up at six tonight from the spa. We'll go to dinner."

  His deep voice made her melt like chocolate to a flame. "Serenity, I’m so glad you’ve agreed—I look forward to tonight."

  "Me too,” she answered quickly. “Goodbye." She ended the call. A small part of her heart was thrilled she’d see him again but it was the part that wanted to stay with him, forever, anyhow.

  Tonight, she'd see him again. Every cell in her body was alive. If he loved her, she'd be the happiest woman on the planet. He wasn't perfect, but he’d tried to be better than where he came from. Serenity hugged her waist. There was no denying it. She admitted to herself that somewhere along the line she’d fallen in love with the enemy.

  23

  Serenity clutched her pocketbook like it might be an orange life ring as she stood in the lobby of her own spa. The staff was turning off the lights and finishing for the day.

  Soon, she’d need to interview people to replace her best friend, but not now. Her heart was still too raw and Damien was late. Serenity paced back and forth in her crystallized heels Kiwi had given her for tonight that made her legs seem even longer and her dress hit her at the thigh.

  If she intended to tell her husband that there would be no more presents and that she wanted a divorce then she’d dressed wrong. The blue sheath made her feel available and sexy. She stared through the glass doors. Perhaps she should change. Where was he? Was this payback? Damien, in all of his notes, hadn’t mentioned love. She fingered the diamond necklace he’d sent and stopped. Did he think he could buy her?

  If he wanted to see her like this, he needed to show up, fast.

  Kiwi waved at her as she took the receipts from the lobby staff. No one said a word on how she was dressed tonight. Her stomach churned with nerves.

  She’d just made up her mind to ditch the fancy clothes when car lights flashed outside the glass doors.

  Damien was here. She tugged the bottom of her dress and ensured her makeup was flawless in the mirror.

  The doors opened and Damien, dressed in an all black suit clearly tailored for him, came inside. He touched his white tie and came right toward her. She held her breath, unsure what she'd do if he kissed her because her lips tingled for him. "Damien."

  He stopped and offered her his arm though his gaze went up and down her body. "Serenity, you look great."

  "I'm ready for dinner, as you requested."

  He leaned closer and whispered so only she heard, "Would it be wrong to kiss you right now?"

  She snapped her head away. Not here. Not now. She lowered her gaze. "I thought we were starting over, this time without me falling overboard."

  "No yachts for us tonight. I swear." He led her toward a black limo that waited outside.

  "Good." He held open the door for her and waited for her to get inside. Once she was seated, he followed and nodded at the driver.

  He closed the partition and held out his hand for her. "Come closer. This was made for ten but I want to talk to you."

  Her pulse zipped with electricity and she slid closer to him. He must want an explanation in more detail about why she'd run. She stared into his warm brown eyes. Hope grew in her heart as she accepted the truth: she was definitely in love with him. "Damien, I compared you to our fathers when I was stuck on the island."

  He leaned his forehead on hers. "I'm sorry you were hurt."

  She closed her eyes though her heart begged for him. Perhaps she needed to start at the beginning. "I wasn't hurt physically, not really. I don’t have any bruises on my face, but I was wet, and I was angry. They came into our bedroom, where I was still putting my makeup on and they wanted vengeance against you. I wanted to protect our baby."

  He kissed her forehead and her lips tingled. "I should have been there to protect you and our baby."

  Her brain raced for a reason to explain why she left. Her temples ached. "You shouldn't have put yourself on the line at all."

  "I'll never forgive myself for what happened to you. I'm sorry."

  Sorry was what he said that first night too when he spoke about her father. She lost any channel of her anger and, more important, she lost her ability to argue. If she loved him, she needed to forgive him too. Her heart whispered love was possible. She squeezed his hand. "I believe you."

  "We're almost there." His lips went lower.

  His warm breath and tempting body were her anchors. She pressed herself closer to him and ran her hands through his coarse dark hair and met his lips with her own.

  The limo stopped and Damien ended the kiss. As he fixed his tie, she touched her necklace. "Where are we?"

  "Fairchild." He opened his door.

  The parking lot of the botanical gardens had no cars in it. She followed him out the limo and tried to keep the conversation light. "This explains why we went south. I haven't been here in a long time."

  He offered her his arm. "It's not open to the public tonight."

  She suspected he'd bought out the park or brought her after hours. She wasn't sure but she looked at the parking lot and gave one of her options a voice. "They usually close slightly early in the winter, not that we have a real one here, ever. But if they're closed, why are we going?"

  "I have a surprise for you." He pointed toward the main building that usually housed weddings. The huge chandelier caught her attention as did the white table clothes on all the tables with gold chairs.

  The dance floor had uplights that made the place feel intimate. A few were on her want list but didn't make sense for her spa. She told Damien as she examined the room, "The lights are beautiful."

  "Come." He led her to one of the tables near the gazebo.

  As they were already married, none of the decorations were for her. She scooted her chair closer to him. "Oh Damien, it looks like it's decorated for a wedding."

  "Tonight. It's for us." He winked.

  Surely this was for someone else tomorrow. What if they came to inspect and found them intruding? She stood. "We don't need-"

  He took her hand and motioned for her to sit again. "I told you. We're recreating our first date. The one that started with you flirting with my half-brother."

  They'd met on the yacht for Peter’s wedding. True. She retook her seat, and her knees pressed into his thighs. "Matthew? He wasn't interested in me."

  His lips curled into a smile. "Lucky for me you didn't notice."

  Matthew was nice to her and funny, but there wasn't any chemistry between them. He’d seemed more brotherly, even when they weren't related. She was shocked that their joking had made Damien jealous. "Was that why you were super rude? You were jealous?"

  His face darkened. "Tonight is a do-over, but to answer your question I absolutely was—I didn't want Matthew to get you." She hadn't expected that.

  But then he held out his hand to shake. "Nice to meet you, Miss. I'm Damien Morgan, a half-brother of the groom."

  She leaned closer, gave him a partial smile and repeated what she overheard him tell Jennifer. "Nice to meet you. I want to say that I'm not your type."

  His eyes narrowed. "What type is that?"

  Serenity Hansom is probably a vapid, high maintenance, socialite. The ones that look like her usually are. She repeated his every word in her mind, but then said, "I hope we both know I'm not vapid, high maintenance or much of a socialite. I like working, and there are none like me."

  Now a red stain covered his cheeks. "I was a total jerk. I'm sorry."

  If he hadn't been that rude, she'd probably never have noticed him or let herself react when they spoke later in the night. Part of her now admitted she'd wanted to prove him wrong about her. She let out a sigh and stood, holding her hand for him to join her as she said, "I also told you that I saw you when I was seventeen at one of my father's social parties. What I didn't say was that I was instantly attracted to you and disappointed when you didn't notice me."

  He followed her onto the dance floor. The last time she'd been overcome with passion and wanted his touch all over her. This time, she just wanted to sway with him. He didn't object, but stopped at the DJ stand and pressed a button. The same song that played that night rang in the air now. He then wrapped his arm around her waist and led her in a formal dance. "I was an idiot who stayed far away from good girls, and Serenity, you're the leader of good girls. But now I want no one else."