by Marie Carnay
“Then stop worrying. Trent and Ian will be there and I plan on having a good time.”
Hillary smiled. “Good. I hope you show those two off.”
Holly raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t you just warn me not to get carried away?”
“I did. But that was before I thought about what a stir you’d make. Ian’s got to be the most sought-after bachelor in the Cove.”
“You wouldn’t know it if you talked to him. He said he’s been lonely.”
Her best friend nodded. “He had a bad breakup a while back. Some real witch of a woman who was only after his money. He’s been single ever since.”
Holly smiled. “Well, at least he doesn’t have to worry about that from me. I’ve told him a hundred times I wish he weren’t rich. I usually can’t stand people with money.”
“I know. I’m surprised you haven’t convinced him to move into some one-bedroom condo just so you don’t have to be in that enormous house.”
Holly laughed. Her best friend knew her so well. “Believe me, I’ve wanted to. But Trent says it’s the safest place in town. Crazy security and all that.”
Hillary nodded. “Promise me you’ll be safe tonight.”
“I promise. Now let’s get these last few finished so we can get ready. If I’m going to turn heads tonight, I don’t want to look like something the cat dragged in.”
* * *
IAN
This is getting old. Ian slipped on cufflink and secured the back. “I’ve told you every possible person, business-related or otherwise who might have a bone to pick with me.”
“Obviously not.” Trent leaned against the wall, tux shirt open, no tie. “Think harder.”
“Damn it, man. Don’t you think I have?” Ian fixed his other cuff and slid into his jacket. It’d been months since he’d worn a tux—he’d been too busy traveling halfway around the world to manage new clients and strike new deals to even think about attending a party.
Without a girlfriend to convince him to take a night off, he’d focused on work and let his social life slide. The party at his house had been the first one in months. Hell, the last time he’d worn anything other than a business suit was his little sister Mandy’s wedding.
Ian shook his head. Before Holly, that was the last time he’d had a woman on his arm and he’d ended up breaking up with her that night. Thank God. Ivy McClellan was one piece of work he was glad to be rid of.
“You checked out Ivy, right?”
Trent nodded. “Twice. She’s got a solid alibi. Seems her current boyfriend owns a couple of ski resorts and she’s been spending all her time in Vail.”
Ian paused. “She’s got her hook in Dwayne? He’s got to be twice her age.”
“With twice your bank account.”
That woman was something else. “No chance she’s double timing? Got someone local to come after me?”
Trent frowned. “Not that I can find. But I’ll keep looking. She’s the only person from Midnight Cove who hates your guts.”
“Not the only one. Holly’s dad wasn’t fond of me, either.”
“I’m not in the habit of checking on dead people, Ian, but if you really want me to—”
“Funny.” Ian took one last look in the mirror. Classic black tux. No frills. Simple and understated. He could have gone flashy. It was casino night after all. But he had the feeling Holly wouldn’t approve.
“You sure there’s no one else?”
Ian nodded. “I’ve given you every colleague, co-worker, acquaintance, and ex-girlfriend I’ve ever had.”
“Then we’ve got to be missing something.”
“I wish I knew what.” Ian motioned to the door and Trent followed him out of the room and down the hall. Stopping at the bar in the living room, Ian pulled out the bourbon and poured them each a glass.
Trent took one and raised it up. “To finding whoever’s out there with an axe to grind.”
Ian clinked his glass against Trent’s. “And to having a good time tonight. Holly should be there already. Once she’s set up, she’ll be free to party.”
Trent sipped his drink. “You don’t think that’ll be weird?”
“What?”
“That she’s catering and you’re one of the biggest donors.”
Ian blinked. The thought had never crossed his mind. “No. I cut my teeth in the restaurant business. Shit, I still own the Inn with Richard and a couple other places besides.”
“But you’re not involved anymore.”
Ian frowned. “Don’t remind me. Mandy’s wedding was the last time I even looked at a menu. I had planned on opening a bar with Blake and Devin, but—”
“Ivy ruined that.”
Ian nodded. “It’s not like I would have had the time anyway. But damn it, I miss it.”
Trent smirked and took another sip. “What, all the money you’re making isn’t making up for it?”
Ian rolled his eyes. “It helps. But it’s not the same. I always thought I’d be able to do both. The shipping business snowballed.”
“Well, guess it’s a lucky thing you’ve got Holly, then.”
“We’ve got Holly, Trent. This isn’t a contest.”
Trent cocked his head to the side. “It isn’t?”
What the hell? “I was the one who came up with the idea of the three of us together. Why would I be trying to shut you out?”
Trent drained the rest of his drink and set the empty glass on the counter. “Never mind. I’ve got a job to do, you’ve got a charity to support, and Holly’s probably wondering where the hell we are.”
Ian frowned. The past week had been fantastic. Him and Trent and Holly together. They’d done their own thing during the day and fallen into bed at night. Never once had he sensed Trent was conflicted or jealous. But this…was he unhappy?
Whatever was going on, it’d have to wait. They had a party to attend. One where Ian couldn’t wait to wrap his arm around Holly and show her off. He checked his phone. Delivery confirmed. Perfect. It didn’t matter that Holly was catering the party. One look at her and everyone would know she was the star of the night.
* * *
HOLLY
“Is this tight? Tell me it’s not too tight.” Holly spun around as her best friend watched.
“It’s perfect. Ian and Trent are going to love it.”
Holly frowned. “That means it’s too tight.”
“Stop it. You’re a knockout in that dress and you know it. Think about all the jealous looks you’re gonna get. I’m bringing my camera.”
“Don’t you dare.” Holly twisted around and took another look at her backside in the mirror. Black tie in Midnight Cove meant floor-length dresses and sweeping updos and killer shoes. Something Holly hadn’t been around in forever.
Her life in LA revolved around the kitchen of various restaurants and her idea of dressing up was putting on a T-shirt and jeans instead of a chef’s jacket and pajama pants. She made pastries for fancy parties. She didn’t go to them.
With a sigh, she turned back around. Hillary was right, the dress was fabulous. They’d spent an entire day at the fanciest dress boutique in town and Holly had tried on every dress in her size. As soon as she’d slipped on the black velvet, Hillary’s squeal had told her it was the one. And it was.
The soft fabric hugged her curves but didn’t bind and the neck came up just far enough to hint at cleavage without giving it all away. And the little swoop train in the back? Adorable. She took a deep breath and let it out in a rush. Getting over herself would be harder than she thought.
“Don’t tell me you’re having second thoughts about tonight.”
“I’m not. It’s just…I left. I never wanted to be back here with all the people I forgot about. Standing around a game table while someone like Brandon flashes his Rolex and throws dice across the felt? That’s not who I am, Hillary.”
Her best friend walked over and the silk layers of her dress swooshed around her feet. “I know. But it’s for charity. And I
an and Trent will be there. They want you to go and have a good time.”
Holly opened her mouth to argue when the doorbell rang. She turned to Hillary. “Are you expecting someone?”
“No. Can you get it? I’ve still got to pick the right shoes.”
Holly nodded and gathered her dress before hustling out of Hillary’s bedroom and to the front door. She pulled it open and a delivery man flashed her a smile.
“Can I help you?”
“I have a delivery for Holiday Jones.”
“That’s me.”
“Sign here, please.”
Holiday signed the clipboard and the man handed her a small package. She thanked him and shut the door.
“Who was it?” Hillary’s voice carried down the hall and Holly followed it back into the bedroom.
“A delivery guy. He brought me this.”
“What is it?”
“I have no idea.” Holly tore at the edge of the padded envelope and pulled out a slender black box. Her eyes went wide as she looked up at Hillary. “You don’t think—”
“Open it!”
Holly bit her lip and lifted the lid. Oh my God. The box trembled in her hand and she fell into a sitting position on the edge of Hillary’s bed. A pair of earrings and a necklace sat nestled inside deep blue silk.
She held it out and Hillary’s jaw almost hit the floor. “Are those diamonds?”
Holly nodded. Lots and lots of diamonds. It was like the entire front case of Tiffany’s had been squished into a single box and plopped in her hand. “I’ve never seen anything like it up close.”
“Who sent it?”
Holly swallowed and reached inside the envelope. She pulled out a thick piece of card stock.
Hope you’re ready to have a good time. I can’t wait to show you off tonight.
Love,
Ian
She handed the card to Hillary and ran her fingers over the necklace. “He’s crazy.”
“He’s sweet and generous.”
Holly touched her neck where the diamonds would rest and shook her head. “I can’t wear them.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s not who I am. I’m not for sale. I’ve told him that before. I don’t want Ian’s money. You know that’s not what I’m about.”
Her best friend plucked the box out of Holly’s hand. She pulled the necklace out and opened the clasp. “You are going to wear these and you are going to get over yourself. He’s not buying you.”
Holly trembled as the cool metal and diamonds touched her skin. Hillary clasped the back and handed Holly the earrings. She put them on without looking. “It sure seems that way.”
Hillary’s tone turned stern. “Stand up and look in the mirror. Take a good, hard look.”
With a deep breath, Holly did as her friend asked. Wow. What seemed over the top and out of this world in the box appeared to fit right in on her body. The necklace wasn’t too big or too flashy. The earrings didn’t dwarf her earlobes. They were beautiful.
“See?” Hillary took her by the shoulders and met her gaze in the mirror. “From everything you’ve told me, I think it’s obvious. Ian knows who you are. So does Trent. They don’t want to make you into something you’re not.”
“They don’t?”
“No, but that doesn’t mean they can’t spoil you. Ian said he wants to show you off, so let him. With that dress and those diamonds, there won’t be any doubt who you’re with tonight.”
Holly pressed her lips together. She didn’t want to say it out loud, but that was exactly what she was afraid of.
CHAPTER TWELVE
HOLLY
WHO KNEW PUFF pastry could be so heavy? Holly hoisted the last tray out of the back of the van and carried it into the mansion’s kitchen. Getting dressed up before hauling inside enough appetizers to feed the entire town was a terrible idea.
Wisps of hair had fallen out of her French twist, her legs ached from teetering on four-inch heels, and if she didn’t take a break soon, she’d be too tired to enjoy herself.
Adding on top of that, the flashes of the rich and sometimes famous as they filtered in the front door made Holly twitchy. Mrs. Morganstern waltzed in draped on her husband’s arm, and the Jennison twins were there with pretty boys in tow. God.
Holly leaned against the hallway wall and watched more and more people filter in. People she’d groaned over when she was a teenager. People who her mom had picked over her own husband and daughter.
Holly ran her tongue over her lower lip and tucked a bit of hair back in place. This wasn’t a party for her.
“I thought I might find you here.” Trent’s deep voice tickled her ear and his hand slipped around her waist.
She tried to smile. “Hi, Trent.”
He pulled back and turned her around. “What’s wrong? Did something happen?”
Holly shook her head. “No. It’s…not my thing, you know?”
Trent snorted. “Not mine either, can you tell?”
Holly smiled for real that time. If anyone screamed I don’t want to be here, it was Trent. He hadn’t even bothered to put on a tie. “Where’d you find a tux?”
He groaned. “Ian. Did you know he has a tailor on call? She told me I was too tense in the shoulders.”
Holly laughed. “You have been under a lot of pressure.”
“Tell me about it.” He ran his hand over his hair. “If I could just get a single lead, we could figure it out.”
“You will. I’m sure of it.” Holly wished she could snap her fingers and put a smile on her face and help Trent relax. But being back at a party in Midnight Cove was turning out harder than she’d anticipated.
“I take it you’re still uncomfortable here?”
It was Holly’s turn to groan. “That obvious?”
“I guess I figured you’d have been a regular. Once your mom married what’s-his-face, I assumed you’d be part of the jet set here.”
Holly raised an eyebrow. “You seriously think my stepfather wanted me anywhere near his money? Not a chance. And my mother was too busy falling all over herself to get in with the rich crowd to pay me any mind.”
She thought back to the divorce and how her mother practically disowned her. “She didn’t even come to graduation.”
“Holly, I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. Moving to LA with my dad was the best thing to ever happen to me. I wouldn’t be a chef if I’d stayed.”
Trent reached out and slipped a strand of hair behind her ear. “Did you come back when she died?”
Holly shook her head. “No.”
“Why not?”
She leaned back on the wall and sighed. “Because I didn’t see the point. Any money she had wasn’t hers. Or mine. I didn’t want to move back. I certainly didn’t want to get into a fight with Brandon over his dad’s inheritance.”
Trent chewed on his lip. “I take it you two aren’t close.”
Holly laughed. “Close? Unless you mean how much we hate each other, then no. We’re not close.”
He looked at her for a moment but didn’t respond.
“What is it?”
“Didn’t you two date?”
Holly exhaled and leaned against the wall. “For a minute before our parents got together. He was an asshole and I dumped him. End of story.”
“Sounds like there’s more to it than that.”
You betcha. But Holly wasn’t about to get into it with Trent. “It’s not important. Like I said, when my mom died, I just told the lawyer to donate whatever I got to charity. I didn’t even find out the terms.”
“That was kind of you.”
I wish. “No. It was selfish, really. My dad had just gotten over her and was doing really well in LA. When he had a heart attack, the last thing I wanted was to drag it all up again. She’d almost wrecked him, Trent. If I hadn’t been with him in LA…” She forced back a rush of tears. “He wouldn’t have lived as long as he did. When he died the doctors said he’d been lucky not
to have had a heart attack years before.”
Trent reached out and she could see the concern in his eyes. “Holly, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
She gave him a small smile. “It’s been a long time, Trent. I’m over it now. But it doesn’t mean I want to see any of these people.”
“Because your mom picked them over you?”
Holly shook her head. “Because they remind me of what we had and lost. What she threw away.” She fingered the necklace and pushed back the emotion threatening to take over. “I know Ian wants to show me off—parade me around like I’m some trophy he’s won—but I can’t.”
“I told him those were over the top.” He motioned at the diamonds and a glimmer of the old Trent was back—the one full of attitude and cocky assurance. Holly smiled wider.
“Guess he didn’t listen.”
“That’s Ian. But if you don’t want to be here, he’ll understand.”
“You think so?”
Trent nodded. “If you’re finished, let’s get out of here. I’m sure there’s some empty room in this place we can hide out for a few hours.”
“What about Ian?”
“I’ll let him know we’re not into the party. He’ll come find us eventually.”
Holly nodded. Part of her hated to bail on Ian and his plans for the night, but she couldn’t think of anything better than leaving the party behind and going somewhere with Trent. Alone.
At last, she nodded. “Lead the way.”
* * *
TRENT
He knew he should be out in the main room, mingling and scoping out the party guests. One look from Holly with her haunted brown eyes and her small, sad voice and he couldn’t help it. There was no way Trent was leaving her side. Not when she needed him.
Ian could take care of himself. Holly was more important.
He squeezed her hand and slipped into a room down the hall. Dark and vacant. Perfect. He pulled her inside and shut the door behind them before reaching for the light.
“No. Leave it off.” Holly brushed past him and pushed open floor-to-ceiling curtains. The outside lights and the moon combined to give more than enough light to see.
