Page 21 of Agent of the Heart (Hearts in Hawthorne #3)

A light tap sounded at the door, and she sensed the two massage therapists entering the room.

For the next hour, Darby luxuriated in the long, deep strokes which penetrated her muscles.

Although it would have been easy to drift into sleep, she made certain to stay awake so she could enjoy every moment of the session.

When the hour was up, they were led back to the room where their clothes were and dressed.

“I feel as if I’m floating,” she said. “That was one of the best experiences of my life.”

An odd look crossed Jace’s face, and she decided he must be figuring out how limited her world really was compared to his.

They sipped on the cucumber water provided to them, and then Jace picked up two bottles of water, saying, “Let’s drink these in the car. It’s important to hydrate after a massage.”

He drove back to her hotel, and Darby supposed their magical day had come to an end.

Pulling into the loop in front of the hotel, Jace turned to her. “We still need to have dinner. Are you up for that?”

Happiness spread through her, hearing they would still have time together.

“I’ll definitely need a shower.”

“Same. Can I pick you up at seven?”

“Yes. Seven is good. What should I wear?”

“What were you going to wear today during your business meetings?” he asked.

“A suit. Heels.”

“Wear that.” He leaned over and brushed his lips against her cheek. “I’ll see you at seven.”

“I’ll come down and wait in the lobby for you,” she said wanting to streamline things.

Darby went upstairs to her room and got into the shower, letting the warm spray strike her body.

She washed away the last traces of the massage oil and then shampooed and conditioned her hair since the masseuse had massaged her scalp with some kind of scented oil.

She put on a light bit of makeup and dressed, blow-drying her hair.

It struck her that she hadn’t made a reservation to fly home to Kansas City, so she did that.

Her flight would leave at eight-thirty tomorrow morning, giving her plenty of time to reach the office for her meeting with Peggy.

Gazing into the mirror, she thought Cinderella would be leaving the ball without her prince and returning to her hovel of an apartment in KC.

Darby realized today had been a fantasy, like a planned date on The Bachelor .

Jace had lavished her with attention, and they had participated in a picture-perfect day.

But reality was sinking in fast. She would wrap up her life in KC and drive herself and her belongings to Hawthorne soon.

She would need to talk with Sawyer to see if she could move in with him temporarily because she didn’t feel right staying with Kelby and West. Sawyer’s place was small, though, so she might ask Aunt Meg and Uncle Joe if she could use their guest bedroom while she found a place of her own.

Her new chapter in life would then start, one which Jace Tanner would not be a part of. Darby wondered if it was even a good idea to have dinner with him this evening. It was too late to call it off, though.

She left her hotel room and took the elevator to the lobby. A few minutes later, Jace texted, saying he was a couple of blocks away. She replied, telling him she would leave the lobby and wait outside for him.

When he pulled up, he immediately jumped out, coming around to open her door. Jace wore one of his tailored suits which fit him well, showing off his broad shoulders to perfection. Darby caught a whiff of the same woodsy cologne, thinking she wanted to bury her nose against his neck.

In the car, he asked if she were hungry.

“Well, strawberries and champagne only go so far,” she teased.

“I think you’ll like the menu where we’re going.” Jace named the chef and the restaurant. Darby had never heard of either, but then again, she didn’t live in Dallas, much less frequent fine dining establishments.

They pulled up to a large building. Jace gave his key to a valet and then escorted Darby inside.

The interior of the restaurant looked as if it were a part of the Palace of Versailles.

Everything was gold and shiny, ostentatious and over the top.

Already, she felt out of place, and her discomfort only grew as they were escorted to their table.

She saw what other women wore and felt woefully underdressed, especially when she saw a few of them looking at her surreptitiously, their noses crinkling in judgment.

They were seated at a table and handed menus bound in smooth leather.

She opened hers and saw no prices listed, which only added to her distress.

Discreetly, she pulled out her phone and googled the name of the restaurant, bringing up its menu.

Online, she could see the prices. One appetizer was the price of what she would normally pay for an app, entrée, and dessert when she went out to eat.

Hesitantly, she turned the page, skimming the menu as she slipped her phone back into her purse. She closed the menu and placed it on the table.

“You’ve already decided?” Jace asked. “Or are you waiting to hear tonight’s specials? Usually, that’s what I get because they’re both unique and delicious.”

Darby glanced around the room and felt small and insignificant.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

Reluctantly, she met his gaze. “I don’t think I can eat here,” she said quietly.

Frowning, he asked, “They don’t have anything that appeals to you?”

“I don’t mean to ruin anything, Jace, but could we leave? Please?”

“Of course.”

He stood and pulled out her chair, helping her to her feet.

The ma?tre d’ hurried over to them. “Is something wrong, Mr. Tanner?”

Darby watched Jace pass some bills to him. “A work emergency, Maurice. I’m sorry that we have to leave before being served.”

“I understand, Mr. Tanner. I hope we will see you again soon.”

They didn’t speak as they waited for the valet to bring their car. Once they got inside, Jace drove a couple of blocks and then pulled over on a side street. He cut the engine and looked at her.

“What’s really going on, Darby?”