Dreams of Perfection (Dreams Come True) by Rebecca Heflin Read Free Book Online Page A

super-rich.   
    Darcy and her date were just separating themselves from the group when Josh caught up to them. “Darcy.”
    “Josh! What are you doing here?” The expression on her face revealed not only surprise, but apprehension as well.
    “The firm’s box had an open seat. Thought I’d treat myself to some culture. Aren’t you going to introduce me?” He lifted a questioning brow.
    “Oh, yes. Josh, this is Blake.” She flashed Josh a warning look. “Um, Blake Garrett. Blake, this is my dear friend, Josh Ryan.”
    Josh’s eyebrows winged up in disbelief.
    The two men shook hands, sizing up one another.
    “Blake Garrett? Dr. Blake Garrett?” Josh asked, cutting a glance at Darcy.
    “Yes. How did you know?” Blake gave Darcy a quizzical look.
    “Your reputation precedes you,” came Josh’s muttered reply. “Darcy, can I talk to you?”
    “There’s the Governor. I’ll just step over and pay my respects.” Blake walked away.
    “He knows the Governor!” Darcy gushed.
    Josh grabbed Darcy’s arm, practically dragging her into a quiet corner of the lobby. “What the hell were you thinking? Writing a novel about a real person? Do you have any idea what kind of legal issues that creates for you, for your publisher?”
    “I didn’t write a book about a real person. At least I didn’t mean to. I mean, I didn’t know he was real.”
    “Then how do you explain that?” He jabbed his finger in Blake’s direction.
    “I can’t . . . really,” she faltered. “I met him in the hospital. He treated Laura after her accident.”
    Josh shot her an exasperated look. “You met a man with the same name as your hero, and he just happens to be a doctor?”
    “It’s true! I’m just as surprised as you are. But it’s not someone with the same name who also happens to be a doctor. It’s him . I can’t explain it.” She leaned in to whisper, “He even has the scar over his right eye,” pointing to her eyebrow.
    “The one he got rescuing the earthquake survivor?”
    “Yes!” Her eyes sparkled in her excitement. “You’re very handsome in your tux, by the way.”
    “Don’t try to change the subject.” He glared at her. “There has to be some explanation. It must be a joke, then. Laura! She must be playing a practical joke, and it’s a doozy.”
    “It’s not a joke. She didn’t even know my hero’s name, let alone what he looked like. You know she doesn’t read my work-in-progress, and the book’s not due out until October.”
    She glanced over her shoulder to see Blake striding toward them. “I’ve got to go.” She turned back to see the frown on Josh’s face. “Look, don’t worry about me. My hero has come to life. I don’t know how or why, and frankly, I don’t care. I only know I’ve been searching for Mr. Right, and here he is, in the flesh, only he’s Dr. Right. Who better than the man of my dreams, quite literally?”
    An unconvinced Josh watched as Darcy joined Blake. Joke or not, he would get to the bottom of Darcy’s hero .
    Darcy floated on air. She didn’t want theevening to end. As first dates went, this one had definitely rocked her world. The car service had arrived right on time. In the back of the limo there had been a picnic basket filled with gourmet treats and a bottle of champagne chilling in an ice bucket.
    When they’d arrived at the hospital, Blake had come out in a perfectly tailored tuxedo that accentuated his broad shoulders and narrow hips, looking every bit as debonair as she’d written him. His spicy cologne filled her senses when he’d slid across the seat to kiss her cheek. 
    Since they wouldn’t be eating dinner until after the opera, he’d had Dean and Deluca pack a basket. They’d eaten juicy grapes, honey-drizzled brie and crackers, and fine Belgian chocolates, all while sipping the excellent champagne. Even she couldn’t have written a more perfect start to the evening.
    Running into Josh had been a little bump in the road. If she knew