I nodded at his admitting defeat. “Can’t drown yourself in work. It won’t get Magnum to comply any sooner.”
Donovan cleared his throat, about to reply when the server popped back over.
“Anything for you?” he asked Donovan, keeping his eyes trained on the man in question.
“Tequila, blanco, neat.”
The waiter nodded and scurried, picking up on Donovan’s mood.
“That bad?” I didn’t have to say who I was asking about.
“He’s coming. The day after tomorrow. Cinder agreed to visit his daughter for the holiday and meet her.”
“Do you believe him?”
“She told me herself. My mom cornered Cinder and let her know this was how things would go, and she’s falling in line. If she wants to marry Magnum, she will raise Blake as her own.”
I knew my mother and Ceci would eventually structure a solution to the entire fiasco, and it appeared they had.
The waiter appeared with Donovan’s tequila, and I promptly said, “Well, then cheers to the last few days of peace.”
“Merry Christmas, Tulya,” the man beside me responded, clinking his plastic glass to mine.
“I never imagined I’d be spending the holiday with you.” It slipped out, but Donovan had a reply.
“Can’t be that bad. Is it?” He ran a hand through his hair, which had become wavier the longer we stayed in the humidity.
“It’s perfect,” I said, not lying. I was mostly content by the pool, not eager to do what I’d been sent for. And when he wanted to be, Donovan Malachite was extremely charming.
“Now, there’s no need to go overboard, but I will agree that spending the holiday in sunshine rather than snow is perfect.”
“Amen,” I responded.
“I was hoping you could help me with something.” Donovan looked toward me, holding his phone.
“I guess it depends.”
Despite the heat radiating around us, a tiny chill ran through my veins. I’d come to know the sensation as the Donovan effect. I’d never admit it to him, but he made my body do things it never did for anyone.
“I have a few items in my cart here, for delivery from Neiman’s, so you don’t have to leave the pool, but I was hoping you could…” His words came out as a long run-on and all mixed up; he was nervous. “Well, I was hoping to get a few gifts for Blake, and if you could advise which ones are best, I’d be grateful. They’re going to deliver them here this afternoon and then we can take them when we go with Magnum.”
I’d give it to the guy: he liked the little girl. Not in a weird, abnormal way, but as in she was his niece and he wanted her to be happy. We had smaller boutiques on Rubia, where we stocked unique items, but I could tell Donovan thoughtmoreandbiggerwere both better when he handed me the phone. I scrolled through the items, including a faux fur coat, a dollhouse, and a pair of rhinestone-covered boots.
“The coat is for Rubia,” Don explained without my asking.
I gave a curt nod, figuring as much. Jumping in on the fun, I perused the site with a smile on my face. I bought most of my clothes at Pinky’s in Rubia, but I was beginning to think I would have to visit Neiman’s myself.
“I love this pink warm-up suit and the doll with the matching outfit,” I added, thinking it would make Blake happy. She seemed like such a loving and affectionate child. I placed the phone back in his hands and said, “I removed the camo jacket and the Star Wars Lego set. I do think she would like some Legos, but I don’t think she’s watched that movie yet.”
He fiddled with the phone and asked, “Maybe just a cute Lego neighborhood?”
“Perfect.”
He hit a few buttons and I heard the whoosh of something sending, and it was done. “I also was hoping to have dinner. Here, in the lobby? Tonight?”
“Are you asking me?”
“I don’t think either of us wants to be alone…”
