Chapter 16
Normally, Natalie had no trouble ignoring her phone. Now, it mocked her. Specifically, the date displayed on the screen. She didn’t want to see the persistent reminder that Trent’s time on Brookwell was winding down. Going solely by the Hideaway reservation schedule, he only had a few more days.
They only had a few more days together.
There was a reservation scheduled to arrive as soon as the housekeeping staff refreshed the Hideaway. If the killer Trent was hunting was still at large, she wasn’t sure what that meant for her situation or his case.
She’d been cooperative, staying at the Hideaway and letting him focus. Trent had helped her move some items from the gallery out here so she could keep working. Keep herself sane when he was off trying to catch a bad guy.
They hadn’t done more than exchange a few text messages in the past twenty-four hours, the case keeping him away overnight for the first time.
Missing him so much made her feel clingy and petty and not at all like the empowered, independent woman she’d spent the last decade working to become.
Barely anyone realized she’d changed and she hadn’t cared until she saw how much it bothered Trent when she mentioned any of her well-documented flaws.
Compounding the strain, cabin fever had set in with a vengeance now that she didn’t have the freedom to go wherever, whenever she pleased. She never would’ve thought her favorite house and private beach wouldn’t be enough for her.
Jess had warned her it would happen and advised her to call the office. But her regularly scheduled sister night was tonight and that should take the edge off.
Between now and then, she threw herself into the materials she had on hand, pouring all those negative emotions into the weird dark sculpture she’d started after the ocean had dropped a corpse on her beach.
Working with her hands allowed her mind to wander, assess, and celebrate everything she adored about Trent.
Had she ever dated anyone as honest and open?
She certainly couldn’t recall anyone else appreciating her artistry more than he did.
More concerning, she doubted she’d find anyone else would live up to the standard he set once they parted ways.
That truly sucked.
She scolded herself for what was probably a bad case of hero worship.
He was a wonderful man, but plopping him on a pedestal wouldn’t do either of them any favors.
They barely knew each other. Except he understood her so well and opened up to her too.
He even liked her art. No, she wasn’t great at being practical, circumspect, or logical.
Neither could she argue away the obvious conclusion: she was in love.
Her heart floated at the sound of his voice and her body hummed with a fresh, vibrant energy whenever he was near.
She was in love with him.
Her hands stilled as her heart did a gleeful spin in her chest, celebrating her revelation.
In love. With Trent.
Oh, lord. She bent at the waist and dragged in a few deep breaths. Part of her wanted to dance pirouettes through the street. The other part wanted to run far away. Love was risky. The last time…
No. No. This was different. Had to be, if only because she’d learned from her mistakes. Ages ago, she’d been too eager for love and way too naive, but those days were long gone. Now, she’d grown into herself, accepting her strengths and weaknesses in equal measure.
She was in love and it felt incredible. This time, she could savor it and focus on the joy of the experience. Head spinning, knowing Trent’s work would likely take him away soon, she struggled not to skip out on tonight’s sister night.
As if anticipating the potential crisis, Celeste had actually assigned tasks this time and Nat had agreed to bring dessert. And if she left them hanging after promising delectable chocolate truffles from Charleston, she might find herself cut out of the Hargrave family completely.
Selfishly, she double-checked to see if delivery for this afternoon was an option, hoping they might have their chocolate while she stayed here with Trent. Unfortunately, she’d missed the window.
As a kid, her sisters and friends had teased her about being obsessed with a new boy every other week.
They hadn’t been wrong. Until Jackson, she adored the feeling of being in love.
She thrived on the spark that lit her creative intuition, though she hadn’t known to define it that way back then.
Of course, that reliance on external emotional fuel had made her an easy target for Jackson.
She was older now, and wiser. And Trent was an exceptional man.
She’d promised him she wouldn’t abuse her schedule just to spend time with him. She had to honor that promise and find a way to be happy and content with what they’d shared already.
Carefully packing away her sculpture in progress, she changed her clothes for a drive into Charleston and alerted the protection detail.
Someone would have to ride along or follow her, according to the protection plan.
She checked the clock and happily noticed she had plenty of time, enough that she could stop at her favorite lingerie store.
If she and Trent were on a countdown clock, she would make every remaining encounter memorable. For both of them.
* * *
In Charleston, she daydreamed of what might happen if Trent wasn’t just here on a business trip. She imagined the happily ever after, building a life with him, having his kids. It was a fun mental exercise, even if it never came to pass.
She splurged on sexy lingerie—something new for each of the nights remaining on his reservation.
Then she went overboard at the artisanal chocolate shop.
She wanted to rack up the bonus points with her sisters, just in case she worked up the courage to bail early tonight and sneak back to the Hideaway to surprise Trent.
The idea felt naughty and wonderful and exciting.
When she got to Veronica’s house, both of her sisters were out.
So she dashed back to her bedroom and slipped into a lacy camisole.
Snapping a picture, she cropped it to reveal only the strap, her shoulder, and lace.
She texted the photo to Trent with a message:
just in case you’ll be at the Hideaway later
I’ll wait up
His immediate reply sent a delicious thrill fizzing through her system as she changed back into her top and packed a bag for sneaking out later.
Hearing a car in the drive, she hurried to the kitchen with the chocolates.
No sense giving her sisters any reason to question her commitment to the evening.
Celeste walked in, arms filled with bags for the charcuterie board she’d promised. They’d barely had a chance to say hello when Roni arrived. “I’ll be there as soon as I get a shower!” she called on her way to her bedroom.
Natalie started washing produce while Celeste pulled out the cutting board, knife, and serving board. “Do we really need to make this a whole event since we basically live together?” She popped a clean grape into her mouth.
“It’s a tradition,” Celeste replied. “And I’m not letting it go. We all have plenty of time with our individual interests. I think it’s important to take time to stay connected.”
“That’s about the most you-thing ever spoken,” Nat observed with a laugh. They worked together on the various foods, but she deferred to Celeste for the placement of each item on the charcuterie board.
When Roni joined them, she leaned over the island, nabbing a hunk of cheese. “Thought for sure you’d make excuses tonight, in favor of another hook up with your hunky new stud,” she accused, using a pickle spear for emphasis.
“Not true,” Nat protested. “It’s sister night. Here I am.”
“For now. You’ll sneak out.” Roni shrugged. “Honestly, I don’t blame you. He’s hot.”
Natalie reared back. “Well, duh. And also, hands off.”
“Well, duh,” Roni echoed. “Facts are facts. I’m honestly surprised you didn’t bail entirely.”
Celeste elbowed Nat. “Ignore her. She’s upset because she bet me twenty bucks you wouldn’t show.”
“Hmm.” She glared at Veronica. “You probably owe her ten.” She giggled. “Because I’m planning to sneak out and hook up with my hot boyfriend once you’re both asleep on the couch.”
“It’s official?” Celeste set aside the scissors she was using to snip clusters of grapes. “You have a boyfriend now?”
“Officially, we’re still in a fling status, aren’t we?” Nat hedged. “Since he’ll check out in a few days. But, um, I bought lingerie when I went to town for chocolate.”
Roni gawked, then worry flashed in her eyes. “You’ve fallen for him,” she said. “Seriously in love. That’s some major life news you’ve kept locked down.”
All those sexy vibes and happy floaty feelings popped and Natalie crashed hard into reality. “No,” she denied it as best she could. “If I do fall in love, I’m obviously going to tell him first.”
“Wrong,” Celeste argued. “That is not how it works. You’d confide in your sisters first. And you’d better show us the lingerie.”
It was a wonder her cheeks hadn’t burst into flame. “Why?”
“Because, sisters,” Celeste said. “And I need to live vicariously. It’s been too long since I had a reason to shop for anything more than everyday bras and panties.”
“Your own fault,” Roni scolded. “You’ve ignored the obvious opportunities.”
Nat, mesmerized by yet another thing she’d overlooked, tapped Roni’s arm. “Who?”
“Chief Miller.” Roni sing-songed, shooting Celeste a challenging look. “Not that you’ve bothered to encourage him.”
Now Celeste’s cheeks were bright red and she wouldn’t make eye contact. “C’mon, Natalie. Let’s see the torture you have in mind for Trent.” She practically dragged Nat from the kitchen.
Natalie unzipped her bag and showed off her purchases and the teasing photo.
“I’m proud to call you my sister.” Roni gave her a high five. “Nicely done.”