30. William
30
WILLIAM
I could hear the girls squealing and fussing as soon as I got out of the truck and smoothed down my suit. Kristin had gone from annoyed to giddy about the staff Christmas party. She and Kylie had spent the better part of her day off primping.
I was excited about what was going to happen when I could finally pull Kristin away from the drinks and mingling. Little did she know, tonight was the night .
I shoved my hand into the pocket of my suit jacket and felt the small velvet box I had picked up from the jeweler this morning. A stupid smile split my face.
So fucking excited.
Kristin liked to say that I was notoriously calm, and she wasn’t wrong. I had never been an impulsive man and never rushed into decisions. Everything I did was calculated.
That was why I knew it wasn’t too soon to propose. I had played out every outcome, and every single one ended with her saying yes. I still couldn’t believe that it only took four months to find the woman I actually wanted to marry.
Even at our best, I never felt those emotions with Elena .
My phone vibrated with an incoming text. Hannah Jane had sent me a photo of the courtyard at the inn. She’d been busy.
Will
I owe you big time. Thank you.
The courtyard was Kristin’s favorite spot at the inn, which made it the perfect place to pop the question. It didn’t really need much dressing up, but I figured a few candles couldn’t hurt.
When I mentioned to Hannah Jane that I planned to pull Kristin away from the party to pop the question, she put together marching orders for the whole night.
I made my way up the freshly stained front steps, admiring the work Logan, Hunter, and I had put in over the weekend. The December weather had been clear and cool, so Hunter and I sanded down the old steps and put a weatherproof stain on them. Logan power washed the house. Then, the three of us pulled weeds and laid down fresh mulch.
We discussed doing some landscaping in a few months when things warmed up again, but I hoped the six of us would be living at my place by then.
Suddenly, the front door burst open, and Hunter came running out.
“Please, I’m begging you,” he said dramatically, coughing up a storm. “Get her out of here. If Ky sprays anymore hairspray on Kris, we’re all gonna suffocate. Save! Yourself!”
“Masterful performance,” I said, ruffling his dark brown hair as we walked inside. “Y’all gonna behave while Kris and I are gone?”
Hunter pressed his fist to his mouth thoughtfully. “Where did we leave the gas cans and matches again?”
A door opened and footsteps padded down the hall until Kylie appeared. She spotted me, squealed, and ran back down the hall. “He’s here! ”
“Kylie, it’s just a work party, not a damn wedding,” Kristin grumbled from the bathroom.
Kylie came back into the living room first. “I know. But you never get dressed up like this and you look gorgeous. ” The last word was whispered in hushed reverence.
Kristin rounded the corner, and I could’ve sworn that every molecule of oxygen in my body vaporized.
I used my last breath to whisper, “Beautiful.”
Kristin looked down at the strapless red dress that brushed the floor. A pair of black heels peeked out underneath. “Is it too much?”
“Never.”
She looked up at me with wide eyes, searching mine for signs of deceit. For any excuse to go back into her cocoon.
No. It was time for her to fly.
“You look like Audrey Hepburn,” I said, “In all the best ways.”
Wide, innocent eyes. Simple, clean makeup. Her chocolate brown hair was pulled back in a smooth chignon at the nape of her neck. Understated and classy. Timeless.
I leaned down and brushed her lips, careful not to kiss her lipstick off no matter how much I wanted to.
“I feel a little bit like Cinderella,” she said as I took her hand.
Sweetheart, if you only knew how the night was going to end.
“Your carriage awaits,” I said, motioning to the door. “We’d better get going before my truck turns into a pumpkin.”
Kristin grabbed her clutch, stuffing her phone and keys inside. “Okay, um, Logan and Ky are in charge. We’ll be back by eleven. Steve and Chase are off duty, so if something happens call 911 and then call one of them?—”
“We’ve got this,” Logan said, cutting her off and giving me a nod. “Have a good time.”
I led Kristin out to the truck and helped her up into the cab.
She pulled the hem of her gown in. Before I could shut the door, she grabbed my tie and yanked me in for a searing kiss. Her teeth sank into my bottom lip, and I felt my libido shoot through the roof.
“Hey, handsome,” she said, tugging at my lower lip until we broke apart. “You sure we have to go? Because in that suit—” she waved her finger up and down “—you’ve got the whole James Bond thing going on and I’m all about it.” She stroked her palm down the side of my jaw, pulling me in for another kiss, softer this time.
I pushed the crimson fabric of her dress aside and slid my hand up her bare leg. “Is that what does it for you? Me in a suit?”
“You in anything does it for me.”
I laughed and pecked her lips one last time before hurrying around to the driver’s seat. Hannah Jane would kill me if I strayed from her proposal timeline.
“Me in anything, huh?” I quipped as I pulled out of the trailer park.
“Mhmm. You in your glasses when you’re staring at your computer. You in those half-zip pullovers… Damn. The navy one’s my favorite. You in your sweatpants with no shirt on while you’re making breakfast in the morning.”
I grinned. “I just like you naked.”
Kristin laughed. “Hey, I’m on board. If I was naked all the time, I’d save big money on laundry detergent. That shit is expensive.”
We rode in silence, hands twined together. It was easy with Kristin. I didn’t have to put my guard up with her, and she had finally let down her walls.
The Taylor Creek Inn looked phenomenal. It was all decorated for the holidays. Green swags of fresh garland hung across the white siding. Giant wreaths with crisp red bows were mounted on every door and window.
Hannah Jane really outdid herself with the design.
I parked my truck beside Kristin’s car in the employee lot. She and Hannah Jane had ridden together to Morehead City this morning to pick up their dresses for the party, so Kristin left her car at the inn after work. She planned on us driving back to her house separately at the end of the night, but I fully intended on returning to get her car in the morning.
I was about to ask her to marry me in the same place we first met, and I didn’t want to spend a second away from her.
“You look absolutely beautiful tonight, Kris,” I said as we walked into the lobby, her hand in mine.
She gave me a chiding sort of smile. “You already said that.”
“And I’ll say it a hundred more times.” I paused in front of the gargantuan Christmas tree covered in gold and white ornaments. “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
“There y’all are!” Hannah Jane’s voice carried across the lobby as she sashayed toward us. She wore a long, glittering dress that was the color of champagne.
Isaac was on her heels. He gave me a nod that hopefully meant he wouldn’t out me tonight.
After I proposed, I’d tell Kristin everything and we’d put it in the past. Maybe we’d even have a good laugh about it.
While Kristin and Hannah Jane hugged and gushed over each other’s outfits, Isaac motioned for me to step aside with him. “So, tonight’s the night, huh?” he asked.
I nodded, stuffing my hands in my pockets. “Dude, I’m so fucking nervous.”
“You should be. You and Kris haven’t been together that long.”
Shrugging, I said, “When you know, you know.” I glanced over my shoulder at the girls. “You and H.J. ever gonna end up at the altar? ”
Isaac smiled sheepishly and looked down at his polished wingtips. “I’ve got the ring.”
“No shit?” I laughed. “You for real?”
“Yeah. I’ll probably ask her in the spring. I need good weather for what I’ve got planned.”
I chuckled. “Always gotta be a show with you.”
“Wouldn’t be me otherwise.”
Hannah Jane and Kristin walked over to us, arm in arm.
“Sorry,” Kristin said. “Han was just telling me that Elena showed up tonight.”
I stiffened as the girls shared eye rolls.
“Elena?” Isaac asked.
“Yeah,” Hannah Jane said. “Do you remember me telling you about Elena Callaway? The rep from the holding company who was sniffing her nose around my weddings last weekend? That bitch...”
Shit.
Isaac’s eyebrows knitted together. “That name sounds familiar, but I can’t?—”
It’ll come to you, Lawson.
His eyes widened and turned to me.
Isaac and I ran in the same circles when I was engaged to Elena. She made sure of it. She was a talented corporate shark, but the minute she had that oversized rock on her finger, something changed. The woman went full-on ladies who lunch— content to be a leech on the fortune I had earned. We were always entertaining or being entertained and I hated every second of it.
I gritted my teeth and gave my head a terse shake.
“Well,” Isaac said, redirecting the conversation. “Let’s get some champagne, shall we? Your office, Hell Yes Ma’am?”
Hannah rolled her eyes at Isaac as the four of us walked through the hotel to the ballroom.
To my surprise, the party was actually fun. Hanging out with Isaac and Hannah was a blast. I didn't know if he realized it, but Isaac had become a completely different person than the asshole I’d known years ago. He probably had Hannah Jane to thank for that.
Women had a way of dropping into your life, turning everything upside down like a tornado, and then magically making everything ten times better. They could repaint a gray existence in technicolor.
And Kristin in that dress… Red was my new favorite.
“Oh my God,” Kristin hissed. “Don’t make eye contact and maybe she’ll leave.”
“Who?” Hannah Jane asked, looking around as she sipped on her champagne.
The four of us were crowded around a cocktail table, stuffing our faces with hors d'oeuvres from the catering team at Revanche.
“I said don’t make eye contact!” Kristin said through gritted teeth. “She can smell fear!”
Hannah snorted. “Too late. Something wicked this way comes.”
Shit! Fuck! Damn! Shit! There weren’t enough four-letter words in the English language to accurately describe the lightning bolt of fear that struck me when I saw my ex-fiancé walking towards us.
“Don’t let her see you sweat,” Isaac said under his breath.
I wasn’t sure if he was talking about Kristin or Elena.
“Miss Hayes, Miss Boyd—lovely to see you both,” Elena said with a sharp grin. Her black dress was elegant, but it didn’t do much in her favor. That bottle blonde hair was cut in a sharp angle. It made her cheekbones look hollow and severe.
Where Kristin was petite, Elena was tall. Where Kristin was radiant, Elena was lifeless. Elena’s eyes were shrewd and calculating. Kristin’s were warm and inviting.
They couldn’t have been more opposite if they tried.
Elena’s eyes met mine and I saw her put the puzzle pieces together .
Fuck. Me.
We ended things as amicably as a breakup could be, but Elena Callaway wasn’t the forgive and forget type.
And I just handed her a nuclear warhead.
She glanced over and watched as Isaac slid his hand down Hannah’s spine to rest on the small of her back, claiming her as his. Turning her head back to Kristin, Elena flashed a bogus smile. “And who do we have here?”
“Ms. Callaway, this is my boyfriend, William Solomon.” Kristin looked up at me and then to Elena. “Will, this is Elena Callaway. She’s been observing the hotel’s operations since the buyout.”
What the hell was I supposed to say…
Nice to meet you? See you at the office on Monday? Kristin doesn’t know we used to share a bed? Thanks for giving the ring back, Ellie? Please die in a ditch?
Luckily, Elena beat me to the punch. “Pleasure, Mr. Solomon.” She extended her hand and shook mine. “Elena Callaway, but you can call me Ellie.”
Well, fuck.
“Would you like another drink, sweetheart?” I asked Kristin while Elena launched into a spirited conversation with Isaac.
Maybe I hadn’t given Elena enough credit. Of course, she’d keep up appearances. I don’t know why I doubted her professionalism. Hell, that’s why I’d kept her on Allegiant’s payroll after we split up.
Crisis averted. I’d go get Kristin another drink. Then we’d mingle for a few more minutes until I could steal her away to the courtyard to pop the question.
“Really, Will?” Elena’s condescending voice startled me as she sided up with me at the bar. “Slumming it with the help ?” She looked over her shoulder to where Kristin and Hannah Jane were talking. “She’s adorable. Like a lost little puppy looking for someone to love her. I bet she loves having a sugar daddy. She’s, what, eighteen? Must be a dream come true for a girl like that.”
“Twenty-five, actually,” I said as the bartender slid me a glass of bourbon. “Not that it’s any of your concern.”
She offered an insincere smile. It was the kind of expression you saw on an alligator before it opened its jaw, chomped down on something fleshy, and pulled it into a death roll. Her eyes briefly glanced at the slight bulge in my jacket pocket, where I had tucked the ring box away for safekeeping.
I couldn’t tell if she realized what it was. Before I could find out or remind her to keep her mouth shut, Elena picked up her drink and disappeared into the crowd.
“That was something,” Kristin said, laughing as she wrapped her hand around the crook of my elbow. “I swear Isaac was about to lose his mind if Ms. Callaway didn’t stop kissing his ass.”
She’s a gold digger, I thought to myself as I took a healthy gulp from the rocks glass. “What do you say we take a walk?” I suggested. “Get some air? It’s a little hot in here.”
She reached up and pressed her palm to my cheek. “You’re a little clammy. Do you feel alright?”
Just nervous. “Never better.”
A piercing shriek of feedback blared out from the sound system as Rich picked up the microphone and stepped on stage. He stood awkwardly in front of the jazz trio that was making its way through every Christmas carol known to man. The band exchanged glances before quieting down.
Rich greeted the crowd before launching into his pompous remarks about the staff being like a family.
I snorted. When an employer said their staff was like a family, it just meant they worked in a toxic environment with a complete lack of boundaries.
Kristin downed the last of her champagne and set the empty glass on a passing tray .
Rich finished his speech about what a successful year it had been at Taylor Creek, which made me laugh. The books told a very different story. The inn was leaking money faster than the Titanic took on water.
I had my suspicions, but I had yet to put a face or name to the money trail we’d been tracking. I pushed that out of my mind. Tonight was going to be a good night.
“Before we get back to the party,” Rich said, wrapping up. “I’d like to introduce Elena Callaway, who is here representing our new parent company, Allegiant Holding Group.”
Rich handed off the microphone to Elena as she stepped onto the stage.
She locked eyes with me, metaphorically flicking a lighter on and off as she stood over a bundle of dynamite.
“Thank you, Mr. Davidson.” She smiled. “It has been such a pleasure to get to know each of you these past few weeks. From reception to special events, the grounds crew, the administrative staff” — her gaze landed on Kristin — “and housekeeping. You should all be proud of the work you do to make this beautiful hotel a destination for tourists all over the world.” Something wicked blazed in her eyes. “When I heard the news that Allegiant would be acquiring this property, I didn’t quite understand the fuss over a little inn in Beaufort, North Carolina. Now, I truly see what a remarkable place it is.”
I took Kristin’s hand and gave it a tug and whispered, “Sweetheart, let’s step outside.”
She shook her head. “I should stay. Hannah said they’re giving some bonuses and awards sometime tonight.”
Elena’s eyes met mine and I could do nothing but watch as she lit the fuse. I gave my head a subtle shake.
You know that no one is supposed to know who I am. Don’t do this, Ellie.
“C’mon,” I urged quietly. “Get some air with me. ”
“It’ll just be a minute, Will.”
Too late.
Elena stretched her arm out and flashed a blinding smile. “And what a perfect night to introduce you to the founder of Allegiant Holding Group—Mr. William Solomon, ladies and gentlemen!”
Kristin froze.
Her eyes were trained on Elena who, along with everyone else in the crowd, stared at me.
“What is she talking about?” Kristin’s voice trembled as she whispered under her breath. Her hand, still clasped in mine, was shaking.
“Mr. Solomon,” Elena said from the stage, “Would you come up and say a few words?”
Kristin’s hoarse words were drowned out by the applause. “Is this a joke?”
Hannah Jane and Isaac appeared behind her. Hannah reached out and brushed her arm. “Babe, let’s step outside and talk.”
Kristin’s attention turned to them both. “You knew.”
Hannah Jane closed her eyes, but she didn’t deny it. Just nodded.
Kristin swallowed. “You lied to me. You all lied to me.”
“Sunshine, I’ve gotta go up there or I’ll make a scene,” I said, giving her hand a squeeze. “Don’t leave.” My voice broke on every syllable. “Please don’t leave. Give me a chance to explain.”
With that, I let go of her hand and made my way through the crowd to the stage.
Elena deserved to be strangled right there, but I had to compartmentalize my wrath. I was more concerned about fumbling through a few bland remarks so I could get the hell out of here, sit down with Kristin, and explain everything.
I’d given a few of these little speeches over the years. I could recite them in my sleep—even throw in the quips that were sure to get a few laughs. As my lips mumbled through the pleasantries, my eyes fell on Kristin.
Beautiful Kristin in that red dress had tears streaming down her face as she stared at me like I was a stranger. Hannah Jane stood beside her, saying something, but Kristin paid her no mind. She just stared at me, lip quivering.
Crushed.
I turned to give the jazz band a cue to resume playing. When I turned back around, all I saw was Hannah Jane and Isaac chasing after a swath of red fabric fluttering out the ballroom door.