Page 74 of Hibiscus Heights

Matteo turned to her. “Let’s not be left out.”

She took his hand, and he guided her to the dance floor. Matteo’s rhythm was admirable, and she enjoyed herself.

When the song ended, he kissed her forehead. “Would you mind if I ask Babe to dance?”

Deb appreciated that he was concerned about her. “Please do. She would love that. I want you both to have a good time.”

Watching them together made her smile. Maybe something would develop between them, or maybe not, but they were enjoying each other’s company.

Babe’s ravishing evening dress, a form-fitting gown perfect for her, was catching its share of attention. Earlier, Babe told Deb that Ryan had asked her to make an appointment to discuss supplying high-end fashion in the Majestic’s shopping corridor.

Deb looked up to see David and Rachel.

“I sure am proud of my baby sister,” David said to her.

“You’re lucky that I can’t stay angry at you.” Deb smiled at her brother, grateful for his support despite their recent confrontation about Grant. “Did the Hunts accept your offer?”

“I withdrew it this afternoon,” David replied. “They wanted a complete redesign to create a statement house that would far outshine their neighbors. When I explained the zoning-restricted heights on Crown Island, he insisted that I’d concealed that from him and wasted his time. So I pulled out of the design.”

Relief for him flooded through her. “I truly dreaded that project.”

“Quality of life over prestige,” Rachel added, echoing their father’s frequent advice.

David kissed his wife on the cheek. “Speaking of quality of life, Rachel doesn’t dance much anymore. She claims her husband stepped on her feet too many times. Would you be brave enough to risk it?” He held his hand to Deb.

Rachel laughed. “Go on. I’ll be watching and judging your technique.”

Before Deb could protest, David led her onto the dance floor. They’d grown up dancing at family celebrations.

“So what’s this really about?” Deb asked.

“I owe you an apology that’s about twenty years overdue,” David replied. “I regret anything I’ve ever done to upset you. Rachel reminded me how unbalanced our family is.”

Deb thought his apology was touching. “I appreciate that.”

David’s voice grew serious. “Randy was wrong to intercept Grant’s calls, and I was a coward to go along with him.”

“You were young, too,” Deb said with forgiveness in her voice.

“That’s kind of you to say, but I realize now how much we hurt you. Not only then but over the years. To think we ruined your chances for a family of your own has destroyed me.”

The anguish in his voice was real. Tears pricked her eyes, and she blinked them away. “All that was a long time ago. Look at me now.”

“That doesn’t excuse our bad choices,” David said. “And if you’ll let me, I want to make up for it.”

Before she could ask what he meant, David spun her around and into another man’s arms. She looked up to find Grant standing there, his hands at her waist.

“Those two planned this,” she said, surprised but also a little impressed at what they’d pulled off.

David was now dancing with Rachel. They looked back with mischievous grins.

“I’m as guilty as they are,” Grant said, drawing her closer as a love song continued. “I wasn’t sure you’d say yes. What happened to your date?”

“He’s dancing with a friend.”

Deb relaxed in his warm embrace. They fell into a familiar rhythm, and the years they’d been apart seemed to dissolve.

“You look radiant tonight,” he whispered, sending warmth through her entire body.

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