Page 136 of Sins (The Sins Trilogy 1)
Chapter Sixty-One
Iris
The next morning, I look through my suitcase and blink when I see at least six office-appropriate dresses and shoes. “Wow. I expected something I could wear, but didn’t realize Sam packed it for office work.”
“That was me. I put those in while you were in the bathroom grabbing stuff.”
“But six? You know I’m not that picky,” I say as I slink into a mocha- and cream-colored dress, my hair dry. Tony bought a dryer.
“I know,” he says, handing me coffee. He’s already showered and in a crisp white dress shirt and dark slacks, ready to conquer the world.
While I sip the fresh, bittersweet brew, he zips my dress in the back and presses a kiss to the nape of my neck.
“Then why did you bring so many outfits?” I smile slyly. “You couldn’t figure out what I’d be in the mood for, could you?”
He chuckles. “I know exactly what looks good on you, but no. I brought them all just in case you want to spend the week here.”
He says it so casually, it takes me a second to process. Oh my. I thought I was falling too fast, but here he is, practically asking me to move in. My head says it’s way, way too soon, but my heart says it’s not.
“You have keys, so…” He shrugs.
A hint of vulnerability, and my heart wins. “Of course. Besides, it’ll be easier anyway. The commute yesterday was horrible.”
“We can leave together, and I can pick you up after work.”
“Do you know Elizabeth shows up early? I feel like I should too.”
“She’s a workaholic, but her husband’s out of town this week. Some big deal in China happening for his company.”
“Someone else said something similar. What does her husband have to do with her coming to work early?”
“When he’s in town, she’s usually on time…or a little bit late.”
Aww.“That’s really cute.”
“Match made in heaven. Unexpected, too—they’re from very different backgrounds.” He reaches into a drawer in the island in the walk-in closet. “You need a necklace to go with that dress.”
Hmm. The scoop neckline could use a little something, but…
Tony pulls out something shiny and puts it around my throat, then looks at my reflection, his hand resting on the slope between my shoulder and neck. A gorgeous, round disk with the sun, moon and stars rests a few inches below the hollow point on my throat. Made with yellow, white and rose gold, the pendant hangs from a simple white gold chain.
“It’s beautiful,” I say in awe, running my fingers over the cool, uneven surface. A faint sense of familiarity tickles me… Maybe I saw it in some European jewelry store?
“A fitting necklace for the beautiful woman in my life,” he whispers against the side of my neck. His lips are so close that each syllable brushes my skin.
Delicious shivers run through me. “Where did you get it?”
“It’s custom-designed. One of a kind.” He lifts his head and studies me. “Why?”
I stare at the pendant, and the oddest sense of déjà vu passes over me once more. But…I’m probably confused. I wish I hadn’t said anything, but Tony’s waiting for a response. “It just feels like I’ve seen it somewhere.”
His hand flexes slightly against my shoulder. “Really?”
“But that can’t be right. Sometimes my mind plays tricks on me, making me think I’ve seen or heard something I haven’t, or vice versa. Like Schubert.”
“What about it?”
“I don’t remember ever having practiced it, but I was able to play it with you.”
Tony looks down briefly, hiding his gaze from mine. “I remember. Does that happen a lot?”
“With piano pieces, yeah. That’s why I started to practice so much, just to see what I could do. Sometimes I wonder what else I can play. It’s weird, isn’t it?”
“I think it makes you especially wonderful.” He inhales softly, then smiles. “Let’s get ourselves fed or we’re going to be late. Nobody cares if I’m late, but I’m sure you’re going to care if you are.”
I link my hand with his and we walk to the kitchen together. Something is a bit different about Tony this morning, more resolute and sweeter somehow. The latter I don’t mind, but the former? It leaves another ripple on my mind, just like the name Margot did.
