Chapter 5 #2
Holly couldn’t quite meet his gaze. She ran her fingertip around the edge of her soda can, searching for the right words. “Because I know what it’s like to be the person everyone is talking about for the wrong reasons,” she said quietly. “Transparency goes a long way to protect everyone.”
Seb shifted and when she glanced up the intensity of his warm brown eyes made Holly’s heart do a nervous little skip. “I’m assuming there’s more to the story. Something that motivates you to keep the Bugle focused on the facts.”
Holly took a deep breath. She hadn’t planned on sharing this so soon—if ever—but the sincerity in Seb’s eyes and the way he’d opened up about his parents last night demanded a return in kind.
“When I was in college,” Holly began, her voice shaking slightly, “my father was the most popular man in Brookwell. He was a real estate developer. Charismatic, successful, the kind of guy who promised everyone a piece of the American Dream.”
She looked out at the familiar storefronts lining Central Avenue without seeing any of them.
“It turned out the dream was built on wishes and thin air. He was running a scheme, selling the same land over and over, pocketing the deposits and moving the money through shell companies. By the time the town council realized what was happening, families and investors had lost millions. My mom was crushed. She didn’t know a thing about his horrible tactics, but the consensus didn’t change.
We were the Brooks family—one unit—and the Brooks family were thieves. ”
Seb’s fingers brushed over her shoulder, soothing away the tension. “Your mom moved away?”
“Yes.” She dragged in a deep breath. “She couldn’t handle the whispers.
The ‘bless her hearts’ whispered behind her back.
More like knives than solace. She hit the restart button and moved upstate.
But I... I couldn’t leave.” Holly looked up, her jaw aching as she clenched her teeth.
“This is my home,” she said, filled with pride.
“I love this town. I grew up in these marshes, fishing from the docks or further out in the ocean. I didn’t want to run away from a mess I had nothing to do with making.
So, I stayed. And after college I came home and became the editor of the Bugle, and I made sure that every story I wrote was built on facts.
No secrets. No rumors or insinuation. Facts only. ”
She let out a small, self-deprecating laugh. “I guess that’s why I’m so nosy. My professional goal is making sure no one else gets blindsided by a charming stranger with a secret agenda.”
It was a wonder Seb was still sitting here.
She hadn’t meant to share so much. His tragedy was personal and hers…
Well, it most likely ended any hope she had of an interview or a friendship.
What business or tech icon would want to spend time with the daughter of a thief?
She refused to acknowledge the tears welling, grateful her sunglasses hid her distress.
But Digby trotted closer, popping up on his hind legs in a clear invitation. She picked him up and cuddled him close. “I’ll tell Vince to give you a call so he can take over.”
“That wasn’t our agreement.”
She realized Seb hadn’t pulled away. His palm pressed close to her shoulder and then he tucked her closer to his side. His body was firm, the contact both exciting and comforting from her thigh to her shoulder. A grounding pressure that eased her worries instantly.
“The interview is yours,” he continued. “And if you’re intent on uncovering my secrets, let me ease your mind. There aren’t any, unless you count the occasional aggravated ex-girlfriend. I’m not a developer, I’m a strategist. My business revolves around computer languages and not much more.”
“I get that,” she murmured, stroking Digby’s silky ears. “But you’re also the man who bought the Marion estate. Around here, that gives you power. People will have opinions and concerns about what you’ll do with it.”
Starting with her. If he sold the lighthouse parcel to a developer—even an honest one—a piece of Brookwell history could be lost.
“Why is that relevant?” Seb asked. “I bought the estate for the view and the silence. I’m not focused on anything but minding my own business.”
“And yet you’re now part of a tight community with specific concerns and needs,” she reminded him. Looking up, she was caught in the heat of his gaze and words failed her. It felt as if electricity was arcing through her body. His mouth was right there, no more than a breath away.
Everything else faded away, disappeared, until the world was only about the two of them, and yet something sparkled like a galaxy of possibility inside her.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
She dragged her gaze away from his lips and all the tempting questions they posed. “Super,” Holly said, clearing her throat and giving Digby her full attention. “At least now you have all my reasons and motivations behind my career.”
Seb nodded, his expression uncharacteristically soft. “Transparency. I get it.” He looked down at Digby, who was curled up tightly on her lap. “You’ve got a serious protective streak behind the reporter’s bravado.”
“Bravado?” She risked another glance at him. “I like that.”
“You embody it.” His smile sent a serious tingle through her. His gaze roamed the main street with all its shops. “I’m beginning to get why you’re so fond of this place. Beyond the pastries.”
He winked and she was glad to be sitting down so her knees didn’t buckle.
“It’s the community, Seb. You’ll see.” Determined to hold her composure, she leaned hard into the friendly tone she used for most interviews.
“And as your official guide, I’m declaring this outing a success.
You didn’t even need to smother a scowl with anyone. ”
“Don’t get used to it,” Seb muttered, though the sparkle in his dark eyes told a different story.
They gathered up the last of their breakfast and were letting Digby sniff around when she caught sight of Scarlett, Grace, and Willow heading their way. Grace waved and Scarlett’s smile held a curious edge. There was no getting out of this.
“Oh, boy,” Holly whispered to Seb. “We’re on again. Try to look like you’re having fun.”
“I am,” Seb said, surprising her as he took Digby’s leash. “Mostly.”
She’d count that as a win. Holly beamed at her friends. “Good morning, y’all.”
“Hey,” Grace replied. “Breakfast al fresco?”
“Something like that.” Holly pointed to the dog. “We wanted to include Digby.”
Willow crouched down, holding her hand out for Digby to decide about greeting her.
“This is Sebastian Sterling,” Holly said. She indicated each woman in turn, “Grace Teague, owner of the Beach Belle. Willow soon-to-be Garrison, owner of the Palmetto Perk.”
“Excellent coffee,” Seb interjected.
“You’re welcome,” Willow laughed, taking a seat in the grass as Digby climbed all over her despite Seb’s best efforts.
“You must be carrying dog treats,” Seb observed.
“Unfortunately, no.” Willow kept giggling. “He’s adorable.”
Holly finished the introductions, “And Scarlett Evans, online math teacher and tutor extraordinaire.”
“Pleasure,” Scarlett said in her typically guarded way, though her smile seemed warmer than usual.
“We’re all part of a weekly silent reading club.”
Seb’s dark eyebrows lifted.
“Dedicated reading time,” Scarlett explained. A wicked gleam danced in her eyes. “According to Mrs. Gable, Holly has a new beau.”
Grace aimed a quelling look at Scarlett. “And we all know how Mrs. Gable loves to embellish a tale. But as friends of Holly’s—”
“Good friends, clearly,” Seb said. “It’s nice to meet you all.”
“How on earth did Mrs. Gable get to all of you so quickly?” Holly asked. “This has to be a new grapevine record.”
Scarlett raised her hand. “I spotted you from the Perk,” she said. “It’s my late-start day.”
“And Mrs. Gable came into the Belle to tattle on you,” Grace added.
“Grace texted me,” Willow said, “and we had to come over for the facts.” She stood up, beaming as if she expected a medal. “So what are your intentions with our friend?”
Holly swore and everyone else laughed.
“The better question is what are her intentions with me,” Seb replied. “Vince and Holly both are working on a welcome to town interview.” He glanced at Holly. “That’s the general take on it, right?”
Seeing the futility of clarifying anything, she nodded. “Yes. He bought the Marion estate.”
“Oh, congrats. Assuming it’s not a mausoleum.”
“It’s lovely,” Holly snapped. “I mean…” Heat flooded her face.
Scarlett folded her arms. “This gets juicier by the minute.”
“It’s not like that,” Holly muttered. “Vince had a flat and couldn’t make the set interview.”
“And Digby escaped, taking a tour of the muddy marshes before Holly found him,” Seb said.
“So, Seb patched the escape route, and I traded cleaning up the dog for a tour.”
“You’ve always wanted to see that place,” Grace said.
“Exactly.”
“And the interview?” Scarlett asked, watching them way too closely.
Holly always gave Scarlett a little leeway.
Life had thrown way too many curve balls at her and few had landed lightly.
Though she’d been born and raised in the Lowcountry, she didn’t embody southern hospitality or care much for transparency, but once she decided you were a friend, she was loyal and protective to a fault.
“It’s going well,” Holly said. “Seb’s been cooperative.”
Grace’s smile twitched. “Cooperative.” She traded a glance with the others. “That’s exactly what it looked like.”
“I’m glad,” Holly stated firmly. “Now if you’ll excuse us, we need to get to the office.”
“Pleasure meeting you all.”
“That’s y’all,” Scarlett teased.
“I’ll work on it.” Seb gathered Digby into his arms. The dog would’ve socialized all day. “Take care.”
“See you at book club tonight,” Grace called after them.
As they walked back to the truck, Holly peeked at Seb. “You handled that really well.”
“Blame it on the guide,” he said, smiling. “You have good friends.”
“I really do,” she agreed.
Inside, her heart felt lighter than it had in years. She’d confessed the way her past influenced her present and he hadn’t flinched. He hadn’t walked away or even aimed a hint of doubt at her. In fact, he acted as if he wanted to stick around with Brookwell and with her specifically.
This was an all-new joy she’d gladly hold close long after she was done coaching Seb.