One Special Moment - Brenda Jackson [39]
“I’m sure he will, but I have an important business meeting scheduled tomorrow, and I want to check on our progress with Morton Industries.”
Colby nodded. She had almost completely forgotten about Morton Industries and the real reason behind her marriage to Sterling.
Sterling walked back over to the table to get his coffee but knew it had gotten cold. He took a sip anyway and studied Colby over the rim of his cup. She was moving around the room, unnecessarily tidying up. He could tell from her movements she was tired. They had spent most of the morning sight-seeing and then over dinner she had told him of her shopping adventure.
He set his cup down when he saw her smother a yawn. Walking over to her, he pulled her to him. “I think it’s bedtime.”
She pushed herself out of his arms. “Look, Sterling, evidently you didn’t understand—”
He placed his fingers to her lips to silence her. “Lighten up. I didn’t mean it the way you took it. What I meant is that it’s bedtime for you.”
She tinted, embarrassed she had jumped to conclusions. “I need to call James first.”
“Then I’ll leave so you can do that. It’s getting late and there’s a three-hour time difference between here and the East Coast.”
“Yes, I know.”
A faint smile touched his lips. “It’s my guess reporters will be camped out front in the morning, but the sooner we can leave here and go to my home in Malibu, the better. Things are more secure and private there. We won’t be hounded by any reporters.”
“All right.”
“Good night, Colby.”
“Good night, Sterling.”
Unhesitantly, Sterling lowered his head and brushed his lips against hers. He wanted to do more but didn’t. Instead he walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.
Colby walked over to the table and picked up the telephone. Taking a deep breath she began dialing numbers.
“Hello,” a deep masculine voice answered sleepily.
“Hello, James, it’s me.”
She could hear his soft, sleep-filled chuckle. “How are you doing, ‘me’?”
She grinned. “I’m fine.” A lump then formed in her throat. “I’m sorry to call so late but I have something very important to tell you.”
“Oh? What?”
“Remember that friend I told you I was coming here to see.”
“Yes, what about her?”
“I deliberately led you to believe it was a she.”
There was a pause. “And she’s not?”
“No, he’s not.”
There was another pause. “Colby, are you trying to tell me that your friend is really a he and not a she?”
Colby took a deep breath. “Yes.”
There was another pause. “I think I can handle what you’re telling me, Colby. After all, you’re twenty-six years old. Cynthia told me a long time ago I was too overprotective where you’re concerned. And she’s right. You’re out on your own and have been since completing college. You have a good head on your shoulders, and I trust you to make the right decisions in life. You’ve never disappointed me, Colby, and I’m proud of you. I know I don’t say that often enough, but I am proud of you. And I want you to know that no matter what, I’ll always be here for you. Cynthia will, too.”
Tears blurred Colby’s vision. “Thanks.”
“Are things serious between you and your friend?”
“Yes, very serious. I wouldn’t have traveled all this way to see him if they weren’t.”
“When will I get to meet him? And why haven’t I met him already?”
“You’ll get to meet him soon, and the reason you haven’t met him yet is because we were sort of conducting a long-distance relationship and weren’t sure how things would work out between us. Now we’re sure.”
Colby closed her eyes. She hated lying to him and knew she was about to do so even more. Crossing her fingers, she added. “We have decided to get married.”
“What!”
“I know it comes as a surprise, but we love each other and want to get married.”
“Colby, don’t rush into anything. Come home and we’ll talk about this. Marriage is such a big step. How long have the two of you known each other?”
“We met two months ago.”
“Two months