The Laws of Attraction (Love is a Destination Book 2) Page 15

  She’d gone to see her dad the moment she returned to New York. It’d been an awkward conversation, especially since Ariana, the woman she’d believed to be her mother was there, too. The woman who’d had the nerve to take her for her first Botox appointment as a preteen had cried at Birdy’s words. It was the first time Birdy had seen Ariana shed tears, even false ones. Birdy knew it wasn’t because she was sad, it was because she was afraid of what her friends might say.

  The gist of the conversation consisted of Birdy telling her dad that she loved him, but didn’t want to see him for a while, not that the saw each other that often anyway. As expected, her father told her if that were true, then he would withhold all monetary help, and that she needed to move out of the brownstone. She agreed to the terms easily, which had shocked them both. Thanks to Birdy Knows Best and the Birdy Knows Best: New York mobile app, she had a very generous amount of money saved.

  After seeing her dad and Ariana, she’d called the number on the back of the picture Thea had given her at the wedding. Jane answered immediately and they’d met for lunch. It’d started out awkward, but by the time dessert came, Birdy felt a bond for Jane that filled the cracks in her heart. She knew, given enough time, their relationship would become something beautiful. It’d been interesting too because she and Birdy had similar mannerisms. Jane also had hyperthyroidism.

  For the first time in her life, Birdy left feeling like she had a family.

  After staying up the whole night deliberating, Birdy made a decision. That morning, she called Thea and asked what she and Toby would think if Birdy joined her financial forces with Jane’s to expand Pammy Feet. Thea had thought it was a great idea, and called Jane with the proposal. Ares had set the paperwork in motion, though he went through Jane for signatures and so forth, still maintaining the distance Birdy had demanded from him.

  A week after being back in New York, she finally knew what she wanted to do with her life. Pammy Feet produced great products and best of all, they donated some of their proceeds to charity.

  The car pulled up in front of Bird, Myers, and Childress. Birdy got out and rode up the elevator to Katie’s floor, which was also Ares’ floor. While she waited, she told herself to breathe. She hadn’t realized just how badly she wanted to see him until the prospect of doing so was moments away.

  The elevator pinged open. Immediately her eyes went to his office. But he wasn’t there. Her heart sank.

  She tried to cover up her disappointment by smiling when she saw Katie. “Kiki,” she said hugging her. “Ready to go to lunch?”

  “Almost.” She grabbed her navy suit jacket and her pocketbook.

  “So, where’s Ares?” Somehow, Birdy managed to keep her voice casual as she spoke.

  Katie stopped, looking from her to Meredith. “You didn’t tell her?”

  Meredith shook her head, her expression pure evil. “I thought it would be better coming from you.”

  Katie shook her head. “You mean you thought it would make better television.” She took Katie by the hand and sat her down.

  Josh stood directly in front of them.

  “Listen, I don’t know what happened between you two, but he quit the firm the day he got back to New York.”

  “He what?” Birdy was shocked. “Why?”

  “Ares can’t stand your father.” Katie shook her head. “He told me he’d made the plan and set it in motion while still in Maui.”

  “He quit?” Birdy could barely form the words.

  “Yeah, he’s starting his own law firm.”

  “Why didn’t he tell me?” She shoved Katie. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Well, apparently you weren’t taking his calls.” She gave Birdy a subdued look. “He said he wanted to tell you when he got it all up and running.” Katie took Birdy’s hand in both of hers. “You should go see him. I know he misses you and it’s obvious you miss him.”

  Birdy stood, her pulse pounding. “Where is he?”

  Katie wrote down the address and handed it over. “Go. We’ll do lunch next week.” She hugged Birdy and then gently shoved her toward the elevator.

  Birdy was halfway down the hall before she turned and said, “Thanks, Kiki.”

  As Birdy rode down, she glared at Meredith. “You knew?”

  “Of course I knew. It’s my job to know everything.”

  Birdy’s glare turned into a scowl. “You could’ve given me a hint.”

  “True, but you needed to realize how much you still love the man. You’re kind of stubborn, if case you didn’t know.”

  “I am not,” Birdy said, but smiled. “Not really.”

  ***

  The car parked in front of the address Katie had given her. The place was a lot smaller and less fancy that Bird, Myers, and Childress, but she liked that. It had a good vibe. It said, “I can help” without looking pretentious.

  She went in, expecting to be directed up the stairs by a pretty receptionist, then stopped dead when she came face to face with Ares.

  “Hi,” she said softly.

  He smiled, but he still seemed sad. She knew that was her fault. “Hi. I wondered when I would see you again. It’s been too long.” Birdy gave herself a mental shake. Had she really just said that?

  “Yes, it has.”

  Birdy crushed her hands together. What if he rejected her? Could she handle that? “I just came by to apologize for the things I said and the way I left things. You did the right thing by not telling me. I know how the law works and I never would have forgiven myself if you’d been disbarred.”

  He closed the gap between them. “I wanted to tell you about Jane and your dad the moment I found out. It was killing me inside to keep that from you.”

  “But you left my dad’s firm anyway. And it’s all my fault.” She leaned into him, pressing her cheek against his chest. Peace filled her. He felt so good. So right.

  “Being forced to keep such a devastating secret from you was exactly what I needed to kick me into action. I purchased this building before we left Maui. Having my own firm has been a dream of mine for a long time.”

  Birdy smiled, so proud of him. “And now you’re doing it.” Ares really could do anything.

  “Yes.” He wrapped her in his arms. “Can you forgive me?”

  She started to laugh. She couldn’t help it. It felt as though the weight of the world had been lifted off her shoulders. “There’s nothing to forgive. You’re an honorable man in every aspect of the word.” She sniffled, fighting tears. “Can you forgive me for accusing you of being otherwise?”

  He reached a hand into his pocket and pulled out her necklace. “All is forgiven and forgotten.”

  She noticed another charm had been added; it looked like a bird. Birdy’s heart leapt with joy. “I hoped you still had this and it looks like you’ve added to it.” She touched the bird lightly. “It’s beautiful.”

  “You will always be my Blue Bird,” he said, kissing her cheek.

  Birdy smiled so wide it made her cheeks hurt. “And you’ll always be Muscles.”

  He made a face like he’d eaten something sour. “Really?”

  “You know it.” She turned so he could put the necklace around her neck. Silently, she vowed never to remove it. “I love it so much.” She turned to face him. “And I love you.”

  He kissed her, a deep, abiding kiss that she felt in every inch of her body. Many moments later, when the kiss ended, he took her face in his hands. “I love you, my sweet Bird.”

  Birdy heard sniffling and looked over to see that Meredith and Josh both had tears streaming down their faces.

  “What a beautiful ending,” Meredith said.

  Birdy shushed her. “Our story has only just begun.”

  “True,” Ares said, moving back around to the other side of his desk. That and his office chair were the only pieces of furniture in the room. “So, what have you been up to?” He winked as he spoke.

  She knew he already knew. But she told tell him anyway. “Well, law
yer-man, my real mom and I have gone into business together. You’re looking at a proud partner of Pammy Feet.”

  He grinned. “That’s the best news. I’m so glad you went into business with Jane. She seems like a good woman.”

  “She really is.”

  Epilogue

  Six Months Later

  “Are you ready for this?” Ares asked.

  Birdy looked down and gulped. The man standing in front of her had chartered a private plane. Since he was certified, she was able to jump with him. They would go down tandem, which meant her back would be strapped to his front. One of the crew had opened the door, explaining they would be jumping soon. She felt dizzy at the prospect as she peered out of the plane. The ground was several thousand miles below them and the wind whipped against her hair. “You realize I’m breaking my number one rule?”

  “I know,” Ares said unrepentantly, checking their harnesses.

  Her knees turned weak and her heart took up residence in her throat. They were moments away from jumping out of a perfectly good airplane! “I think I’ve changed my mind. This is crazy. I can’t do this.”

  Ares kissed her on the mouth for several long, delicious seconds. When he lifted his head, he gave her a look. One that said, this is going to be good. And her heart started pounding for a different reason entirely. “Maybe I can help take your mind off what we’re about to do?” Despite their semi-cramped quarters, he got down on one knee and opened a blue ring box.

  Birdy’s mind went completely blank. “What’s happening?” She saw the box, and she knew what it meant that he was on one knee, but it was as though all logical thought flew out of her head.

  “Pamela Birdy Bird” Ares paused. “My Blue Bird. You’re an exquisite woman, beautiful on the inside and the out. I love that you can out-eat me, that you don’t like exercise, but try to do yoga anyway. Most of all, I love that you are there for those you love when it counts the most. For those reasons and so many more, I want to be tethered to you now and forever. Will you make me the happiest man in the world and become my wife?”

  Birdy just stared at Ares. They had talked about marriage, kids, their desire to live their lives together. They’d made plans, but he hadn’t proposed. She hadn’t known what he was waiting for. Whether it had to do with her TV show, which had recently ended, or something else. But she loved him and had been willing to wait. That they loved each other and had each other was enough. Now that he’d said the words, she was in blissful shock. When she said yes, her whole world would change. She would become his wife. He would be her husband. And they would have each other through the good times and the bad, for the rest of eternity. She knew she wanted to say yes. Her mind had already said it a dozen times.

  Without warning, Ares stood and closed the box, gently turning her so that her back was against his chest. His absence in front of her left Birdy with an unencumbered view of the ground below again. She immediately snapped her eyes shut, forcing herself to take several deep, calming breaths as he began clipping them together so that she couldn’t move forward without him. Not that she wanted to.

  “Did you change your mind?” she asked when she could finally speak again. How had she ever let him talk her into this?

  Ares walked her to the edge of the plane. His voice was full of love and humor as he spoke. “No, but I’m going to give you a few more seconds to carefully decide.” And with that, they jumped out of the freaking plane!.

  Birdy screamed, opening her eyes and then wishing she hadn’t. The sensation of falling had her stomach doing flip flops. Behind her, Ares took her arms and moved them out like she was flying. For the briefest moment, she was terrified and thought she might die. But then everything changed. Peace enveloped her and she felt like she really was flying. Her fears were replaced by incomprehensible exhilaration and she realized that with Ares by her side, she could do anything.

  “Remember, it’s about faith and not fear,” he said in her ear.

  She wanted to kiss him and cry and laugh and sing all at the same time. “You promise to always be there to help me remember?”

  “I do, if you promise to always help me,” he returned.

  “I do.”

  He deployed the parachute, causing them to jolt upward before they slowly began to float down. “Does that mean you’ll marry me?”

  “Yes,” Birdy said. “With all my heart and soul, I say yes.”

  THE END.

  Getting Caught in the Rain

  Love is a Destination, Book Three

  Is love on their horizon or are the seas too rocky for a real relationship?

  Georgie Bauer comes from a large family. As the middle child she’s mostly overlooked, except when it comes to her love life. Most of the time she’s okay with staying out of the limelight. It suits her personality, which is why she’s loved being Birdy’s personal assistant. But her parents are celebrating their fortieth wedding anniversary with a ten-day Mayan cruise and she has to attend. Determined to keep her family’s questions about her love life to a minimum, she asks Dean Legend to be her fake boyfriend during the festivities. They went on a couple of dates during his brother’s destination wedding, but since then she’s put him in the friend zone, which means she won’t have to worry about losing her heart.

  Dean Legend met Georgie while they were in Maui. She’s sweet, and they had fun together, but he’s in no hurry to settle down, not to mention, she’s put him in the friend zone. When Georgie asks him to be her fake boyfriend, he’s surprised and his first inclination is to say no, but he ends up agreeing since they are friends and she’s already put him in the friend zone. What could happen?

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