Chapter 17
The air crackled with anticipation as Jules, perched on a stool and given the task of chopping up fresh veggies, watched Nikki buzz around the kitchen like a bee hyped up on caffeine as she worked to get everything perfect before the guests arrived. Nikki was frantic with her flushed cheeks, but Jules could tell that her cousin loved every minute of the crazy rush.
Nikki removed a plastic-covered bowl from the fridge. “Tada,” she exclaimed with gusto as she held it up for Jules to see. “I can’t wait for you to try this spinach dip. I watched a YouTube video on how to make it. There were lots of comments talking about how delicious it is.” She retrieved a spoon from the drawer, removed the plastic, and took a generous bite.
Jules was chopping a cucumber. She paused mid-action. “What do you think?”
Nikki made a face. “It’s awful,” she moaned. “So sour.” She plopped the spoon down on the counter with a loud plink. “I followed the recipe to a T.” She thrust out her lower lip. “This is a disaster.”
Amusement circled through Jules. Nikki could be so dramatic. It was just one dip amongst the long list of items that Nikki had either prepared or bought.
She pushed the spoon towards Jules. “Here, taste it.”
Jules hesitated before reaching for the spoon and taking a small bite. Her lips instantly puckered. “Yeah … that is way too sour.” She scrunched her face.
“I don’t get it,” Nikki said, deflated. “I followed the recipe,” she said again as if it were a disclaimer.
“Try a little sweetener,” Jules suggested, “to balance out the tartness.” No, she wasn’t a good cook, but she at least knew that trick.
Nikki let out a beleaguered sigh as she brushed a stray strand of hair from her face. “What can it hurt, right?”
“Try the natural maple syrup. It’s in the fridge.”
Nikki turned and went to retrieve it.
It had already been a hectic day, and the party hadn’t even started. Jules worked her regular shift at the clinic while Brock dutifully waited for her in his SUV. After coming together on Wednesday night, they’d been riding together instead of taking two separate cars. When they got back home this afternoon, they found Nikki in full-blown party mode—putting up decorations, fine-tuning playlists, and prepping all of the food. Of course, she treated Luke like her hired assistant and ordered him around. To his credit, he took the treatment like a champ, which made Jules wonder if the two of them were getting serious.
Jules had just finished cutting up the last of the veggies when Brock entered the kitchen and stepped up beside her. His eyes swept over her with open appreciation. “Wow,” he uttered. “You look great.”
She glanced down at her royal blue silk blouse and linen slacks. “Thanks,” she murmured, grateful that he’d noticed. She actually felt pretty tonight—for the first time since the accident. It was nice to be on the mend. And it was nice to have Brock be so attentive.
Since their dance and those pulse-pounding kisses on Wednesday night, things had been so much better. It was as if the storm between them had finally broken at the same time it had done so outside. In its place, something softer was taking shape.
Yesterday, Jules had to go to physical therapy after she got off work. Brock went with her. When they returned home, Trevor had video-called Brock. Much to her surprise, Brock asked her to join. She’d even exchanged a few words with Trevor, who was a bright-eyed miniature version of his dad with the same smile. It was touching to see the interaction between Brock and his son. It was obvious that Brock loved Trevor with all his being—just as a dad should.
Adrian had lurked in the background during the video call, but thankfully, she didn’t try to jump on. It was nice not to have any drama where Cruella was concerned.
Nikki poured a liberal amount of syrup into the dip and stirred. She reached for the spoon and took a bite. “Now it’s too sweet,” she lamented. “Maybe I should add some salt.” She looked at Jules. “What do you think?”
“Do it,” Jules encouraged. “But use the pink salt in the grinder. It adds more flavor.”
“Good idea.” Nikki did so and took another bite. This time, she smiled in satisfaction. “Much better.”
The doorbell rang. Nikki went into a frenzy. “Oh no! Everything’s not ready.” She looked around the kitchen with wild eyes. “I still haven’t cut the baguette bread for the bruschetta or toasted it.”
Brock and Jules exchanged a knowing smile.
“I can’t help it if I want everything to be perfect,” Nikki huffed.
“It will be,” Jules said calmly. “Just breathe.”
Luke chuckled from the kitchen doorway. “Combat Barbie, looks like you still need a little work on your culinary skills. Maybe we should keep taking those cooking classes.”
Nikki shot him a glare. “Watch it, Buster.”
He laughed like he loved getting a rise out of her.
“Quit being a critic,” Nikki snipped, “and get over here and help me finish this.”
“As you wish.” A playful sarcasm dripped from his voice.
Jules immediately picked up on the reference to The Princess Bride.
The doorbell rang again.
“I guess I should get that.” Jules moved to get off the stool.
“I’ll get it,” Brock offered. “Just relax.”
“Thanks,” Jules said with an appreciative smile as she rose to her feet and followed Brock into the living room. She liked that Brock was attending to her every need. She could get used to this.
Jules’s parents were the first to arrive. Her mom looked terrific, as always—her glossy blonde hair was poker straight and rounded at her chin. Mom exuded the same glamour as Zoe with her stylish outfit. Dad looked sharp in a black shirt and matching pants. The two of them were definitely a power couple.
It was obvious that they liked Brock from the attention they showered on him. Jules couldn’t help but grin inwardly as she watched the interaction. There was no doubt about it: they were treating Brock like their future son-in-law. She hoped for Mom and Dad’s sakes that she and Brock could come to some sort of understanding about their future. Otherwise, her parents would be crushed.
Dad pulled Brock aside to talk about the Steve Randall situation while her Mom sidled up beside Jules, her eyes shimmering with innuendo.
“So …” Mom began. “How’s it going with Brock?”
Jules kept her tone casual. “Fine. He’s good at his job and is doing everything he possibly can to keep me safe.”
Mom gave her a knowing smile. “Come on now, I can tell there’s more going on than that.”
Jules arched an eyebrow. “How can you tell that? You just got here.”
She lifted her chin. “I’m your mom. I can tell from the way y’all look at each other.”
Color warmed Jules’s cheeks. Was she really that obvious?
Mom tilted her head, expression softening. “So … are you giving him another chance?”
“We’re working through our issues. Right now, I’m just trying to focus on getting past all this chaos. After that … we’ll see.”
Mom nodded in understanding, concern tightening her features. “I hope they catch that madman soon.”
“Me too,” Jules agreed. “Maybe tonight we’ll get some useful information from my coworkers.”
The doorbell rang again as more guests began to trickle in. Dean showed up with a ginormous bouquet of red roses.
Jules politely accepted the bouquet, thinking about the report they’d received about Dean stalking his former client. Maybe Mom should’ve hired a PI to check him out before she set Jules up with him. Brock was still talking to Dad, but he cast Dean a withering glare. She could tell from Brock’s body language exactly what was going through his mind. One wrong move on Dean’s part, and he was likely to get decked.
A short while later, Asher arrived, looking polished in a crisp white shirt and khaki slacks. With his tousled hair and even features, he was effortlessly handsome. When Asher spotted her, he flashed a disarming smile and went to her side. “Hey, beautiful.” He leaned in and brushed his lips across her cheek.
“Hello,” Jules said, a little thrown.
For the past few days, Asher had started seeking her out—lingering nearby during breaks and joining her at lunch. It was official. She was definitely on his radar.
He glanced around, taking in the surroundings. “This is nice. You sure know how to throw a party.”
She laughed. “I can’t take any credit. It was all my cousin Nikki.” She motioned towards the food table pushed against one wall. “You should get something to eat.”
“Care to join me?”
She glanced over at Brock, who was talking to Luke. “Sure.”
When she and Asher got over to the table, she looked across the room at Brock, surprised he was letting her talk to Asher this long without inserting himself into the conversation. He pulled his phone from his pocket and glanced down at the screen. His brows furrowed. Saying something to Luke, he turned and strode out the front door.
Curiosity sparked in her chest. It had to be an important call for him to leave the party and go outside.
“Is everything okay?” Asher asked.
She flashed an automatic smile. “Yeah.”
The two of them began putting appetizers onto their plates and then moved off to the side. Bree and LouAnna soon joined them.
After some chitchat, Jules lowered her voice. “LouAnna, I heard about your tires. I’m so sorry.”
LouAnna’s expression darkened. “Yeah. I came out from work and found them slashed.”
“Do you think it was Steve Randall?”
“Pretty sure it was,” LouAnna said soberly and then turned to Bree. “We should probably act on what we talked about and get some additional security cameras installed that will cover the parking lot.”
Bree nodded. “I’ll tackle that on Monday.”
Jules continued, “Mindy told me about her dog and the note. That’s scary.”
LouAnna’s face paled. “It is.”
Jules took a deep breath and wondered if she should divulge what had happened to her. She felt like it was the right time. Hopefully, Brock would agree. “I got a photo in the mail the other day.”
All eyes turned toward her.
“What kind of photo?” Asher’s voice was tinged with concern.
“It was a picture of Lisa Randall and me taken right before her surgery. Lisa asked me to pose with her for her scrapbook. Steve took it.” Seeing the horrified expressions on the faces around her tightened her gut. “Lisa’s face was X’ed out in red ink. The words, You’re next were scrawled across the top.”
Silence fell heavy like a slab of cement.
“Why are you just now telling us this?” LouAnna demanded.
Jules gripped her plate. “I dunno. I guess … saying it out loud made it feel all too real.” She offered a tight smile. “I wasn’t trying to hide anything. It’s just been a lot. The accident … going back to work … it’s been overwhelming.”
Bree placed a hand on her arm. “We understand.”
Silent information passed between Bree and LouAnna. “Maybe it’s time,” Bree said.
“Time for what?” Asher asked.
“To hire a private investigator,” LouAnna answered. “The police aren’t cutting it.”
“I think that’s a smart idea.” Asher looked at Jules. “Don’t you?”
She nodded. It couldn’t hurt to have another PI on the job, especially since she and Brock were questioning Leroy Gilcrest’s capability. Here would be a good time for Asher to tell the group that someone had broken into his house. She waited expectantly, but he didn’t say anything. She was tempted to mention it but didn’t want to put him on the spot. She wondered why he would hold something like that back. Or maybe he wasn’t. Maybe he just wasn’t thinking about it.
“Dr. Caldwell’s concerned about the safety of his family.” Bree’s features tightened. “His wife is all bent out of shape about it.”
“Understandably so.” Jules looked around. “Speaking of Dr. Caldwell, are he and his wife coming tonight?” She’d hoped to be able to talk to them about the phone calls they’d received.
“No,” Bree answered. “Their oldest son had a baseball game. He asked me to give you his apology for not being here tonight.”
“I totally understand,” Jules said. “Life is busy.”
Mindy stepped up. “The party is great. Everything looks fantastic,” she beamed with a large smile and then stopped. “What’s wrong?” She looked around the group.
“We were just talking about Steve Randall,” Jules explained.
Mindy pressed her lips together. “I never thought we’d have to deal with this. It has all been so hard. First, Alyssa’s death.” She looked at Jules. “Then your accident, and now we’re living in fear of what Steve Randall might do next.”
Jules glanced at Asher. There was something unreadable in his expression. Was it sorrow, regret, anger? She couldn’t be sure. He met her eyes for one brief moment and then looked away. Strange. Was he hiding something? If so, what?
A few minutes later, Jules excused herself to go and make the rounds by talking to all of the guests. She spoke to Charlotte, the scrub tech, who was here with her boyfriend. She also talked to Leo, the anesthesiologist. In each conversation, she casually brought up Steve Randall. Neither Charlotte nor Leo had had any trouble with him.
Brock was still outside. She’d just spoken to Mom and Dad and went over to rest on the couch when Dean sat down beside her. He gave her a lingering look that turned her stomach. “You look amazing tonight.”
“Thanks,” she said politely, hoping he wouldn’t monopolize her time. Sure enough, he launched into a long monologue about a real estate deal he’d recently closed.
Just when Jules thought she couldn’t take Dean’s droning another minute, Asher stepped up. “Mind if I borrow Jules for a minute?”
Dean frowned. “We were just talking.”
“It’s okay,” Jules cut in smoothly. “I’ll catch up with you later.” She stood and allowed Asher to lead her away.
“Thanks,” she said in relief. “He can be a little ... persistent.”
He grinned. “Can’t blame him. You seem to have that effect on people.”
Jules’s smile faltered. She didn’t want to give Asher the wrong idea. Whatever
was happening—or wasn’t—with Brock, she knew one thing: she needed him in her life. The second the thought went through her mind, a surprising warmth flowed through her. She savored the feeling, wondering what it meant. Was she ready to give Brock another chance? Maybe … after the ordeal with Steve Randall was over.
Nikki stepped up, eyes bright with excitement. She gave Asher a cordial smile before turning her attention to Jules. “Everything’s going so well.”
“It is. Thanks to you.”
A jubilant smile filled Nikki’s pretty face. “You’re so welcome.” She held out her hand to Asher. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude. I’m Nikki, Jules’s cousin. I saw you at the cooking class, but we haven’t officially met.”
Asher clasped her hand in a shake. “A pleasure to meet you. I’m Asher Winslow. I work at the clinic with Jules.”
Nikki already knew all of this, but she nodded as if hearing it for the first time.
Brock came back into the room. He made a beeline over to Jules, his jaw set in a hard stance. “I need to talk to you for a minute,” he said in a low tone.
“Sure.” She smiled at Nikki and Asher. “If you’ll excuse me.”
“Of course,” Asher nodded.
Brock led Jules into the kitchen. “That was Leroy Gilcrest on the phone,” he announced as if he’d known that she was aware of his every move. She was aware, but that was beside the point. “I got some disturbing info.”
Jules tensed. “Did he locate Steve Randall?”
“No.”
She swallowed her disappointment.
“Do you remember how Asher Winslow told you he was already signed up for the cooking class?”
“Of course. He told me that the day he heard me telling Mindy about it in the break-room.”
“He lied. Asher signed up for the class the day after he talked to you in the break-room.”
She blinked. “Are you sure?”
“That’s what Leroy said. He got the info from the lady in charge of scheduling the classes.”
“Well, maybe Asher wanted to get to know me and used that as an excuse. That doesn’t make him a criminal.” She liked Asher and wanted him to be all that he appeared.
Brock’s jaw tightened. “I don’t trust him.” He switched gears. “Don’t you think it’s odd that he didn’t call the police after someone broke into his house?”
She considered the question. “Yeah, a little, I suppose. But you didn’t think it was necessary to call the police after I got the photo in the mail,” she pointed out.
“That’s because I knew I could handle the situation better than the police. Asher Winslow doesn’t have my background or connections.”
“True,” she conceded.
“It sounds fishy to me that his security system was supposedly glitching.”
“Maybe, but it’s certainly possible. I don’t know why he would lie about his house getting broken into.”
“Yeah, it seems strange that he would.”
“Earlier, Asher and I were talking to Bree and LouAnna about everything that has happened with Steve Randall. I told them about getting the photo in the mail.” She made a face. “I hope that was okay.”
He wasn’t the least bit fazed. “Sure, it can’t hurt for them to know that.”
She was glad they were both on the same page. “I kept waiting for Asher to tell everyone how his house got broken into, but he didn’t say anything. And he had a strange look on his face … almost like he was hiding something.”
“I knew it,” he punched out.
A giggle rippled through her throat as she stepped closer to him and placed a hand on his chest. “Down boy. Just because Asher might be hiding something doesn’t mean that he’s a bad person.”
“Why are you defending him?” He eyed her in a steely challenge.
Her voice went silky soft. “Brock Ellis, there’s no need to be jealous. You know I prefer G.I. Joe over Ken dolls.”
He looked horrified. “Please don’t compare me to a doll.”
She laughed. “So, did Leroy uncover any other dirt on Asher? Does he leave the toilet seat up or forget to floss?”
“This isn’t a joke,” Brock growled. “Leroy tried to reach out to Asher’s ex-fiancée. He couldn’t get her but spoke to her mom, who said that Claire was devastated when Asher called off the engagement. Something happened between Asher and Claire. Whatever it was … Claire won’t talk about it, not even to her parents.”
Jules frowned. “That’s ... interesting. Asher told me that he and his ex-fiancée broke up because they were going in different directions. He made it sound more like a mutual thing.”
“Not according to Claire’s mom.”
“Why couldn’t Leroy reach Claire?”
“She’s on a Mediterranean Cruise and didn’t purchase a data package, so her cell reception is spotty. Leroy’s trying to contact her. I even got Claire’s number so I can try calling.”
Jules took in a deep breath. “Sounds good.”
Brock’s eyes hardened. “In the meantime, I think you should keep your distance from Asher. He’s fixated on you, and I don’t like it.”
A smile curled her lips as she reached up and smoothed the fabric below his shirt collar. “What’s wrong, G.I. Joe? You worried about a little competition?”
“Doesn’t it seem strange to you that he signed up for a cooking class to be with you, and he’s seeking you out at lunch? Even tonight, he’s been right by your side.”
“Not the whole night,” she countered, “just some of the time.” She’d briefly thought about not telling Brock about Asher joining her for lunch in the break-room, but she wanted to be honest with him. “The lunch thing feels harmless. I mean, we are coworkers,” she added.
His eyes sparked. “There’s something off about that guy. I can feel it.” He leaned in. “I’m going to do everything in my power to track down Claire. I want to hear what she has to say.”
Jules shrugged. “Fine. Track her down. It’s like I told you before: I don’t care if you track down Asher’s entire family. Do whatever makes you happy.”
“Oh, I will,” he said reflexively, and then his expression changed. His eyes deepened to a smolder as they moved over her face with deliberate slowness. “You’re saying I should do whatever makes me happy?”
Heat flooded her cheeks and then seeped down her neck. She let out a breathy laugh. “Well, within reason.”
“Ah,” he murmured, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “You said whatever makes me happy.” In a swift movement, he circled an arm around her waist and pulled her to him.
He lowered his face to hers. “I can think of one thing that would make me very happy right now.”
Her breath caught. “Brock,” she whispered, eyes darting toward the doorway. “Right here? In the kitchen?”
A low, amused laugh rumbled in his throat. “Right here and right now. Did I mention how incredible you look tonight?” His gaze trailed over her in a caress that left a trail of tantalizing heat in its wake.
“Thank you,” she said, her voice barely audible.
He leaned in and kissed one corner of her mouth in a teasing gesture that made her want more. Then he kissed the other corner.
She expected him to kiss her then. Instead, a cocky grin quirked over his mouth. He knew he was driving her crazy. “Well,” she grunted, “are you gonna stand there all night with that goofy grin or kiss me?”
Mellow laughter rolled from his throat. “I thought you were worried about someone seeing us.”
He was impossible! “Just kiss me already,” she demanded.
Amusement ringed his eyes in gold. “Yes, ma’am.”
His mouth claimed hers with aching tenderness that circled shivers around her spine. This time, she was the one who deepened the kiss by encircling his neck with her arms and pulling him even closer. All worries about the other people in the house flew right out of her mind as she lost herself in the bliss of his nearness.
The clearing of a throat brought her abruptly back to reality as she and Brock broke apart. Her eyes widened in horror when she saw Asher standing there, frozen in place. His expression was stricken. Hurt twisted into confusion before morphing into visible disgust.
“You’re kissing your cousin?”
Jules let out a nervous cackle as her brain scrambled to come up with an explanation.
Brock, however, didn’t miss a beat. A smug grin spread across his chiseled face. “Well,” he said with mock sadness, “I guess the cat’s out of the bag.” He looked at Jules. “Sorry, cuz.”
“Asher …” Jules began, but he took a step back, his mouth a firm line. “Excuse me,” he said curtly before turning and marching out of the kitchen.
Jules whirled on Brock, swatting his chest. “Why did you do that?”
“What?” he asked, completely unbothered. His arms were still firmly planted around her waist.
“You could’ve set the record straight.”
A mischievous smile lifted a corner of his lips. “You’re the one who didn’t want me to pose as your boyfriend, so we settled on being cousins instead.”
“Yeah, but—ugh,” She groaned. “That was before I knew that you and I would end up like this.”
“Like what?” Amusement swirled in his eyes. “A couple?”
“I work with him, Brock. I don’t want him thinking I’m some weirdo in a kinky relationship!”
He frowned. “Are you that concerned about what Asher thinks?”
“Not in the way you’re suggesting,” she shot back. “But I have to see Asher every day. I have a reputation to uphold.” She nibbled on her lower lip. “Maybe we should just tell him the truth. I mean … so he doesn’t think I’m a pervert.”
Brock shrugged. “Fine with me.”
She narrowed her eyes. “You’re enjoying this way too much.”
“What?” he asked, feigning innocence. “I didn’t ask him to walk in.”
“Uh-huh. I’ve got your number, mister. You wanted him to know we’re together.”
The look in his eyes confirmed it. “I want the whole world to know we’re together,” he said simply.
“Just because we’ve kissed a few times doesn’t mean that we’re officially back together.”
Brock’s expression darkened with frustration. “If that’s the way you want it.”
Her eyes cut into his. “We had a deal, remember? We said we’d get through this situation with Steve Randall and then see where this thing with us goes.”
He nodded stiffly. “I remember.”
She could almost see him withdrawing from her, and she couldn’t let that happen. “Don’t be mad.” Her voice caught. “I need you, Brock.” An ache ballooned in her chest. “I just need more time. That’s all I’m asking.”
“Okay. His features relaxed. “Take all the time you need.”
It was amazing how relieved she was to hear him say that.
A second later, he clenched his jaw. “Just do me the one favor and stay away from Asher Winslow.”
“I’ll keep my relationship with him purely professional,” she promised. “You have my word.” Urgency fluttered in her breast. “I do need to go and set the record straight about the two of us not being cousins … before any rumors go flying.”
He took in a breath. “If you insist.”
“I insist,” she said firmly. Extricating herself from Brock’s arms, she went out to find Asher only to discover that he’d left.
Great! Now she’d have to wait until Monday at work to talk to him.