Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
STELLA
“You look hot.” Wendy whistled. “Smoking hot.”
“That’s a lot of eye shadow.” I picked up a blending brush, but Wendy slapped it from my hand.
“Don’t even think about ruining my masterpiece.”
My shoulders slumped as I stared at myself in the mirror. “I don’t want to go.”
“Why not? I thought you were excited.”
“Headache,” I lied.
The truth was mine and mine alone. Wendy was my best friend, but I was taking Heath’s kiss to the grave. Well.. . maybe not the grave. Keeping secrets was not my forte and the only reason I’d managed so far was that Wendy and I had both been busy.
Tonight was the first time I’d seen her all week, and from the moment she’d walked through the door, we’d focused solely on getting me ready for this party.
A party I didn’t want to attend. Not with my brother. And not with Heath .
I still wasn’t sure what to think about that kiss. Mostly, I tried not to think about it because the shame that came with that memory—a memory I should have cherished—made me want to curl up in a ball and hide under my bed for the next twenty years.
My only saving grace had been Heath’s absence from the office. Never in my life had I looked forward to not seeing Heath, but his vacation had been my reprieve.
A reprieve that ended tonight.
“After a couple drinks, I bet you’ll feel better.” Wendy gave me a soft smile in the mirror.
“Yeah.” I smiled back. “Thanks for helping me get ready.”
“What are best friends for? I have to live vicariously through you. I can’t remember the last time I had an excuse to get dolled up and wear a sexy dress.”
“But you get to wear leggings every day. I’d trade leggings for a sexy dress any time.”
“This is true.” She laughed. “Okay, what shoes?”
“Nude heels?”
“Agreed. I’ll grab them.”
As she rushed from the bathroom, I twirled the skirt of my dress, feeling the swish of the fabric over my legs.
The top had a plunging neckline that dipped low enough to be sexy but not too low to be scandalous. This was technically a work function. The flowing skirt hit me midcalf with a slit on one end that ran to my thigh. The dress was black with a deep plum overlay adorned with sparkles. My hair was curled. My hazel eyes were lined with black and shadowed in gray.
Wendy was right. I did look hot. A year ago, I would have done all this and more, just in the hope of snagging Heath’s attention. Tonight, I wanted to wash it all away simply to blend in with the crowd.
He’d kissed me. Heath Holiday had kissed me .
And he’d regretted it.
I squeezed my eyes shut, willing the pained look on his face from Monday out of my head.
Heath’s lips had been so soft. So delicious. One sweep of his tongue across mine and I’d about fainted. How long had I wanted a kiss? How long had I hoped for Heath’s?
My one chance and I’d blown it.
He’d kissed me and I’d stood there like a dumbstruck fool. Mouth hanging open. Drool pooling.
That kiss had been a sheer disaster. The equivalent of a Christmas tree catching fire. Suggesting we keep things professional had been my last-ditch attempt to save face.
The worst part? I was a good kisser. I was a really good kisser. I’d had boyfriends who’d told me the same. So why, when presented the one and only opportunity to kiss Heath Holiday, had I failed so epically?
“Damn you, stage fright.”
“What?” Wendy came into the bathroom carrying my strappy nude heels.
“Oh. Nothing.” I took the shoes, bending to put them on and secure the strap at my ankles. They weren’t exactly practical for a December night, but fashion required sacrifice. And frostbite risk. “Thanks.”
“Do me a favor. Try to have fun tonight. I know it’s always interesting with your brother around, but ditch him and enjoy the party. It’s your Christmas Eve too.”
“Okay.” I pulled her into a hug. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas.”
The doorbell chimed, sending us out of the bedroom in a flurry. Wendy rushed to collect the makeup she’d brought over while I grabbed my coat and clutch.
“Hi, Guy,” she said, opening the door before pushing past him. “Bye, Guy. ”
His lip curled. “Wendy.”
My brother and my best friend had never gotten along. Guy thought Wendy was a snob because she never laughed at his jokes. Wendy thought he was self-absorbed and crass—hence the reason she didn’t laugh with Guy.
I’d stopped playing mediator years ago.
“You look very pretty, Stella Bells.” He took my coat and held it out. “You’ll be the most beautiful girl at the party.”
“Thanks.” I slid my arms in. “You look nice too. New suit?”
“It is. I thought it was time for an upgrade.” He offered me his arm. “Ready for this?”
No. I blew out a long breath. “Ready.”
“Thanks for coming with me tonight.”
“You’re welcome.” I bumped my shoulder to his. “Sorry about Mel.”
“Me too.” He gave me a sad smile. “I liked her.”
“Want to talk about it?”
“Not tonight. Let’s just have fun. Me and you. I get all your dances.”
I nodded. “Deal.”
The cold night air was brittle on the bare skin of my calves as we hurried to his truck. But he’d left the engine running and the seat warmers on.
“How was work this week?” he asked as he eased out of the parking lot.
“Good. Great, actually. I feel like I’m settling in and I like it so far.”
“They’re lucky to have you.”
“Thanks.”
“So what have you been working on?”
I spent the drive downtown telling him about my projects. Guy had spent a lot of years tuning me out—little sisters were probably annoying at times. I’d spent a lot of years ignoring my big brother too. But he listened as he drove and asked a few questions, engaged in what I had to say.
I’d been dreading tonight, not only because of Heath but because Guy had the habit of ditching me. He’d get around his friends and I’d become an afterthought. But maybe tonight would be different. Maybe he’d stick with me and we could have a good time.
Guy could be my savior. The buffer between Heath and me. There was no way Heath would mention that kiss while my brother was around. And I really, really didn’t want to hear another apology.
“Want me to drop you off at the door?” Guy asked as we reached The Baxter.
“No, that’s okay. I can walk.”
“But you’re in sandals. Your toes are going to get cold.”
“It’s fine.” I wanted to know where the car was in case he had a few too many cocktails and I needed to drive us home.
“Suit yourself.” He shrugged and circled the block, finding the closest spot available.
Guy lent me his arm as we hurried down the sidewalk, the streetlights on Main glowing brighter as we reached the hotel.
The Baxter, like the other buildings downtown, was magical over the holidays. Through the golden and glass doors, the lobby was the picture of holiday festivities. Even on Christmas Eve, the space was bustling with people. Some were here to dine at a restaurant on the main floor. Some were here for drinking. A group was clustered around the bar in the corner, each holding a fancy cocktail.
A couple stood beneath a sprig of mistletoe and shared a kiss. In the corner was a massive tree, its bows adorned with lights and ornaments. A few kids were hovering over a bowl of candy canes.
Guy led us straight for the grand, sweeping staircase that led to the ballroom on the second floor. “Can I put the keys in your purse?”
“Sure.” I opened it for him as we ascended the stairs, stopping by the coat check. Then, with my jacket and clutch tagged and stowed, we walked into the ballroom.
Conversation floated above the background music. Caterers swept through the room, passing from person to person with trays of hors d’oeuvres. Two bartenders, each wearing white shirts and black satin vests, mixed drinks at the bar.
Keith stood next to his wife, Hannah, both welcoming us as we came into the room. I tried my very hardest, but my eyes scanned the crowd, searching for Heath. Old habits.
He wasn’t here yet.
“Drink?” Guy asked.
“Please.” I nodded, smiling at a few familiar faces as we walked toward the bar.
Gretchen waved from her spot at a cocktail table. A few others from the office were huddled together with their spouses.
Joe Jensen stood at another table, nodding when I met his gaze. I smiled too wide at the asshole. Last week after our encounter in the office, I’d emailed him the updated flooring estimates.
He had yet to respond.
The ballroom was decked out for the party. An empty stage was prepped and waiting for a live band. The tall tables were covered with pressed white linens and each had a tiny bouquet of red roses in its center. The room’s crystal chandelier cast a twinkling glow over the empty dance floor.
“What do you want?” Guy asked as we waited in line at the bar.
“Champagne.” I’d have a headache tomorrow, not ideal for Christmas Day, but this party and this room demanded a drink with bubbles.
With my flute in hand, Guy and I headed for a table.
“Cheers.” He clinked his vodka tonic with my glass.
“Cheers.” I took a sip and scanned the room again, my gaze landing on the doorway just as Heath walked in.
My heart skipped. Wow, he looked good.
His black suit accentuated his broad shoulders. His dark hair was parted on one side and styled with a swoop above his eyebrow. The tie he wore was a blue nearly as bright as the color of his eyes.
No man was as handsome as Heath. Movie stars. Professional athletes. Models. I’d let other women drool over them because Heath outshone them all, inside and out.
Maybe that was why it was so hard to let go of this crush. Because the man himself was unforgettable. He was good and kind and charming. He stood apart from every other face in the crowd, demanding attention. That chiseled jaw. The straight nose. The full lips. My mouth went dry so I took another drink.
Heath spotted us and smiled. A smile so dazzling, I choked.
Coughing and snorting, I somehow managed to swallow and not spew champagne over the table.
“Jesus.” Guy patted my back. “Are you okay?”
I waved him off. “Fine. Wrong pipe.”
He gave me a sideways look, but when he spotted his best friend walking our way, my near-death incident was forgotten. “Finally. Heath’s coming over. Now the party can start.”
“Gee, thanks,” I muttered.
“You know what I mean.”
“Do I?”
Guy shrugged and reached into his suit jacket pocket for a piece of spearmint gum. He almost always chewed gum because he never wanted bad breath if there was—in his words— a hot chick around who wanted to suck face .
A poet, my brother.
“About time you got here.” Guy clapped Heath on the shoulder as he joined us.
“Hey.” Heath shook my brother’s hand. “Hi, Stell.”
“Hi.” I raised my champagne flute to my lips, drinking more carefully this time, and doing everything in my power not to stare. The flowers on the table really were beautiful.
“So, what’s the plan of attack?” Guy asked Heath. “Maybe have a few drinks. Dance. Then find a woman to entertain. I do love seeing a sexy dress on my bedroom floor.”
I scrunched up my nose. “Please stop talking.”
“Kidding.” Guy laughed, but we all knew he wasn’t joking. I had no doubt that it was rare for either Guy or Heath to leave this party alone. The image of Heath with another woman made my skin crawl.
“Let’s just enjoy the party,” Heath said, giving me a strained smile.
Awkward. I swallowed a groan.
This wasn’t even my fault. I’d been the catalyst for plenty of embarrassing moments, but this one was all Heath. He’d kissed me . Yes, I could have done a much better job at kissing him, but this wasn’t my fault. I did not instigate the kissing.
Why was it that a man could kiss a woman and completely forget it, but a woman would analyze every single second? Or maybe that was just me? I’d likely analyze Heath’s kiss for the rest of my life. That really, truly, horrendously amazing kiss.
“Surprised you didn’t beat us here,” Guy told him.
“I rode with Maddox and Violet.” Heath hooked his thumb over his shoulder to where his brother strolled into the room with an adorable little girl at his side and a stunning woman trailing behind them .
I did a double take. Not at Maddox, but at the woman and her friendly face.
“Excuse me.” I set my flute down and made my way to my friend. “Nat!”
Her face lit up when she spotted me. “Hey, Stella.”
“It’s so good to see you.” I hugged her, wishing we saw each other more.
Natalie was two years older, the same age as Guy and Heath. She’d been a junior when I’d joined the high school swim team as a freshman. Even though I’d been younger and possessed only a fraction of her talent in the pool, she’d always cheered for me. She’d never treated me like I was beneath her.
Unlike Guy and Heath, Natalie hadn’t been in the popular crowd at Bozeman High, and I’d always looked up to her because of her kind heart.
We’d stayed in touch over the years since neither of us had left Bozeman after graduation. She’d started working as a nanny while I’d gone straight to Montana State for my bachelor’s degree.
“I had no idea you’d be here,” I said. But her presence settled some nerves. Wait. Was she here with Maddox? Were they dating?
“It was a last-minute invite. I’m actually here to work.”
The young girl she’d come in with appeared at her side. This had to be Maddox’s daughter. She had his dark hair and blue eyes. Without so much as a glance my way, she held up an empty punch cup to Natalie. “Can I have more?”
“Let’s pace ourselves. We have all night.” Natalie laughed, looking back at me.
“How are you?” I asked. “It’s been forever.”
She opened her mouth to answer, but Guy appeared at my side along with Heath .
Guy was talking, but the moment he spotted Natalie he did his own double take. “Natalie?”
“Hey. Good to see you, Guy.”
“Been a while.” My brother’s jaw worked as he chewed that gum. And checked out her ass.
I rolled my eyes. Seriously, he’d just gone through a breakup. Men .
“Guy.” Natalie shook her head when he looked up and met her gaze.
“You sure?”
She giggled. “Quite. But thanks anyway.”
He chuckled. “Are you here alone?”
“Nope.” She waved to the girl. “Violet’s my date tonight. And we’re raiding the dessert table before any of the good stuff disappears.”
“Natalie’s the coolest of the cool,” I told Violet. “You’re going to have a blast tonight.”
“But not as cool as Uncle Heath, right?” Heath held out his hand for Violet to smack it.
She blinked and ignored him.
“Ouch.” Heath feigned a wound to the heart.
I giggled. I should have ignored him, but I couldn’t help it. I’d spent years laughing whenever Heath made a joke. Another old habit that refused to die, along with the blush that crept up my cheeks when he made eye contact.
His gaze dipped to the low-cut neckline of my dress and for a moment, my heart fluttered. But then he tore his eyes away, guilt creeping into his expression.
Ugh . I really should have stayed home in my sweatpants.
“Be my wingman.” Guy nudged Heath’s arm, jerking his chin to the door. I followed my brother’s gaze to where a petite blonde and pretty brunette had just entered the room. “Hit on the blonde. ”
Oh, God. I dropped my face to my nude heels. I was going to have to stay here and watch while Heath picked up another woman. He’d said before the kiss that he’d had a crush on me. But I guess my non-kiss had squashed it.
Champagne. What I needed right now was more champagne.
“Um...” Heath trailed off as Guy hauled him away.
Unlike me, I bet that blonde would kiss him back if given the chance.
It shouldn’t hurt. I was over my crush, right? So why did it hurt so much? How many hurts would it take to finally give this up?
“You okay?” Natalie bumped her elbow with mine.
“Great!” Too loud . I cringed at the volume of my voice.
“I didn’t know you’d be here tonight,” she said.
“I just started working at Holiday Homes. Keith invites the whole office. I was actually going to skip and go to church with my parents, then hang out at home, but Guy talked me into coming.”
I should have known better. We’d been here for minutes and I was already getting left behind.
“He promised to hang out with me because his girlfriend just dumped him,” I said. “He’s kind of broken up about it, even though he won’t admit it. I felt bad for him, so I told him I’d be his date. But... he just ditched me.”
“Want to hang with us?”
“I think I’m going to grab a drink.” Drinks, to be accurate. Multiple drinks. And after drinking the multiple drinks, I’d call an Uber or Wendy to drive me home.
Natalie waved, taking Violet to the dessert table, while I headed toward the bar. I didn’t want to see him talking and laughing with another woman, so I kept my chin down, eyes on the floor.
So focused on not watching for Heath, I nearly stumbled when I lifted my gaze and there he was. My footsteps stuttered. “H-hi.”
“Hi. Can I buy you a drink?” he asked, nodding to the bar.
“Oh, um... you’re not getting one for the, uh...” My fingers flittered over my shoulder in the direction of the door.
“No. Guy’s on his own tonight.”
I glanced behind me to where my brother was talking to the brunette. The blonde was nowhere in sight.
“What do you say, Stell? How about a drink?” There was pleading in his eyes. Maybe if this was just us at the office, him in jeans and a button-down, I would have had the strength to say no. But damn it, he looked so sexy in that suit. It was his fault that my resolve crumbled.
“Sure,” I breathed.
His hypnotic eyes sparkled as we shuffled into the line at the bar.
“Do you still keep in touch with Natalie?” he asked.
A man beside me moved too close, accidentally bumping my shoulder with his.
Heath’s hand drifted to the small of my back to steady me. Except when the man apologized and inched away, Heath’s hand stayed. What the hell? What was happening?
I swallowed hard, trying to remember the question he’d asked. Nope. Nothing. My mind was blank. “Huh?”
“Natalie.” He chuckled. “Do you keep in touch with her?”
“Oh. Yes.” I nodded. “We meet for drinks two or three times a year. We gossip about people we knew from high school and she tells me about the kids she’s watching.”
“Then your next meetup should be entertaining since she’s nannying Violet.” He laughed. “That kid is a handful. Earlier this week, Maddox found her with a butcher’s knife in the kitchen. She was going to cut herself a piece of apple pie. ”
“Seriously?” I giggled.
“It gets better.” As we inched forward, he told me story after story about Violet’s antics, some from this week and others he’d heard secondhand from his mom.
“She sounds . . . entertaining.”
“I think we should put Violet and Guy together. We’d be guaranteed a show.”
“Probably not tonight,” I said. “There are a lot of breakables in this room.”
“Good call.” He winked as we finally reached the bar. With a whiskey tumbler in his hand and another champagne flute in mine, we turned to leave.
Heath’s hand went to the small of my back again, but as we stepped out of the line, Gretchen appeared. His hand dropped and he slid away. “Gretchen.”
“Hi, handsome.” She gave him a hug. “Say, I need a few. There’s a client who wanted to have a quick chat.”
“Tonight?” He groaned.
“No such thing as a day off,” she said.
“Right.” Heath sighed. “See you later, Stella.”
“Bye.” I raised my flute.
I stared as Gretchen weaved through the crowd with Heath not far behind. Then I glanced around and realized I was alone.
My brother had vanished. Typical. Natalie was with Violet by the dessert table, and though I was sure she wouldn’t care if I hung out with her tonight, I didn’t want to intrude since she was working.
So I inched closer to the wall, wishing I could blend in with the wallpaper.
The lead singer of the live band took the microphone, welcoming the guests. Then with his band in position, they kicked off their show with a sultry jazz number that drew couples to the dance floor.
I listened to them perform, drinking my champagne. The bubbly went down too smoothly, and before the band’s first set was over, I was three flutes in. My head was beautifully buzzed. My bruised heart coated in delicious bubbles. One more glass, then I’d find a quick bite to eat before sneaking out the door.
With my empty flute in hand, I left the safety of the wall to get in line at the bar. I’d just joined the queue when a man appeared at my side.
His dirty-blond hair was short and neatly combed. His charcoal suit was stylish and tailored to his lean frame. He was cute too. Really cute. Not Heath handsome, but no one was Heath handsome, not even Tobias.
“Hi.” He held out his hand.
“Hi.”
“I’m Seth.”
“Stella,” I said, sliding my palm against his.
“Beautiful name.”
I smiled. “Thank you.”
“Forgive me if this is too forward.” He nodded to the dance floor. “But would you like to dance?”
“Um...” Why the hell not? “I’d love to.”
He offered me his arm and together we navigated the crowd, settling at the edge of the dance floor. His cologne wafted to my nose as he spun me into his arms, one hand taking mine as the other settled on the curve of my hip.
Seth pulled us together, not too close, not too distant. And then we danced, stepping and turning in our own little square. “I’m not the best dancer in the world.”
“You’re doing great.” A new blush crept into my face at the interest in his gaze .
He had dark brown eyes. Attractive, though not Heath’s mesmerizing color. Seth’s shoulders weren’t as broad and his frame wasn’t as tall.
What the hell was wrong with me? Here I was dancing with a handsome man who actually wanted me, and I kept comparing him to Heath. This had to stop. Right now. Stop it, Stella.
“So how do you know the Holidays?” Seth asked.
“I work at Holiday Homes. You?”
“I’m a realtor at Hannah’s firm.”
“Ah.” I nodded.
“Maybe we’ll get to work together on a project one of these days.”
“Maybe.”
Since Keith was the premier builder in the valley and Hannah owned one of the largest brokerages, often her realtors would meet with buyers who couldn’t find a home on the market and instead, they’d decide to build. We’d collaborate on the property and the handoff to get the customer their dream home.
Or so I’d been told. I hadn’t had the chance to do one of those projects yet.
“Are you from Bozeman?” he asked.
“I am. Born and raised. You?”
Before Seth could answer, a towering figure appeared at our side. I looked up to find a pair of very blue, very angry eyes, locked on Seth’s hand at my waist.
“Stella.” Heath’s jaw clenched. “May I speak with you for a minute? Work related. You understand.”
“Uh...” Seth didn’t get the chance to finish that sentence.
Heath’s hand wrapped around my elbow and he all but dragged me off the dance floor.
“Heath,” I hissed when a few people gave us a sideways look.
He didn’t slow.
“Heath.” I yanked my arm free, forcing him to stop.
He turned, giving me a warning glare, then his hand was back, this time engulfing mine as he led me through the ballroom. He strode out the doors and down the hallway, shoving through the first door we reached.
We stepped into a sitting room. Couches hugged the far wall. A plush chair sat angled into a corner.
Heath let me go and strode into the center of the space, dragging a hand through his hair.
“What’s going on?”
He turned and held up a finger to my nose. “You.”
“What about me? What’s wrong?”
“You...” He tipped his head to the ceiling and blew out a long breath. As his lungs emptied, the tension faded from his face. “You look beautiful.”
“I—oh.” Okay, not what I was expecting. “Thank you?”
“No.” He leveled me with that gaze. “Don’t say thank you. Just stop.”
“Stop what?”
He stepped close, too close. As close as he’d been that night beside my car. “Stop being beautiful. Stop dancing with other men. Just for tonight. Don’t dance with that guy. I’m trying to respect your wishes here, Stella. But tonight, it’s a struggle.”
“My wishes? What wishes?”
“To keep this professional.” He sneered as he spoke the last word.
“That was your idea. Not mine.”
“Was it?” He arched an eyebrow. “Because I clearly remember it being your suggestion.”
Yes, it had been. I’d only suggested it to salvage a tiny shred of my pride. “You came into my office and apologized for kissing me.”
“I apologized because you didn’t kiss me back.”
“I—” Oh. My. God. He thought I didn’t want him. “I was justsurprised.”
He studied my face. “What do you want? Tell me what you want.”
I wanted what I’d always wanted. “You. I want?—”
He cut me off by slamming his mouth on mine.
It took me a heartbeat. Maybe I’d never truly get over the shock of Heath’s lips. But I recovered.
And this time, I kissed him back.