Chapter 10 Holly
HOLLY
Holly sat in the passenger seat of Charlie’s car, watching the historic streets of St. Augustine roll past the window.
Her stomach was twisted in knots, and she had been silent for most of the drive from the inn.
Charlie had not pushed her to talk. She let Holly quietly process what was about to happen.
Meeting Simon. Again. After thirty-five years of marriage and six months of separation, she was about to sit across a table from the man who had destroyed their life together and face whatever manipulation he had planned.
“You don’t have to do this,” Charlie said quietly, breaking the silence as she pulled into a parking spot near the Corner Café. “We can turn around right now. Let him stew.”
Holly shook her head. “No. I need to know what he wants. And I need him to see that I have moved on and that I want him to stop procrastinating and sign the divorce papers.”
Charlie reached over and squeezed her hand. “That’s my sister. Strong as steel when she needs to be.”
They got out of the car and walked toward the café.
It was a charming place, tucked between two historic buildings, with outdoor seating under green awnings and large windows overlooking the street.
Under different circumstances, Holly would have loved to come here.
To sit with Jack and enjoy coffee and pastries while watching tourists stroll by.
She smiled as her mind went straight to Jack when she thought about coming here under other circumstances.
But this was not that kind of visit.
Through the window, Holly could see Simon already seated at a corner table inside.
He was dressed impeccably as always, his suit probably worth more than most people’s monthly mortgage payment.
His dark hair was perfectly styled, and even from a distance, Holly could see the confident set to his shoulders.
The posture of a man who believed he held all the cards.
“Ready?” Charlie asked, her hand on the café door.
Holly took a deep breath and nodded. “Let’s get this over with.”
The bell above the door chimed softly as they entered. Simon looked up immediately, his eyes finding Holly’s across the café. A smile spread across his face. The practiced, charming smile that had once made her heart flutter and now just made her feel sick.
He stood as they approached, ever the gentleman when it suited him. “Holly. You look beautiful as always.”
“Simon,” Holly said coolly, not returning the compliment. She slid into the chair across from him while Charlie took the seat beside her, positioning herself between Holly and Simon like a protective barrier.
“Charlie.” Simon’s smile faltered slightly as he looked at Charlie.
“Simon,” Charlie replied, equally stiff and formal.
“I didn’t realize you were bringing your sister,” Simon said to Holly.
“I’m here as her attorney today,” Charlie said pleasantly, but there was steel beneath the words. “I hope that’s not a problem?”
“Of course not,” Simon said smoothly, settling back into his chair and glancing at Holly. “Though I’m not sure why you would need an attorney for our meeting.”
A waitress appeared, and they ordered coffee. Holly asked for a cappuccino that she had no intention of drinking. She just needed to have something to do with her hands. The silence stretched uncomfortably as they waited for their drinks to arrive.
Simon was the first to break it. “Thank you for agreeing to meet with me, Holly. I know things have been... difficult between us.”
“Difficult,” Holly repeated, her voice flat. “That’s an interesting way to describe your affair with my best friend and your attempt to acquire the inn where I’m staying.”
Simon had the grace to wince, though Holly suspected it was more performance than genuine regret. “I wanted to explain about that. Terry and I—”
“I don’t want to hear about Terry,” Holly cut him off sharply. “I don’t want to hear your justifications or your excuses. What I want to know is what you want from me. Why the urgent need to meet?”
The waitress returned with their coffees, and Simon waited until she left before speaking. He leaned forward, his expression shifting to something that was probably supposed to look earnest and concerned.
“I want to help you, Holly. I know you’ve gotten involved with the Christmas family and their inn. And I know you’ve probably developed feelings for Jack Christmas.”
Holly felt her jaw clench. Charlie’s hand found hers under the table, a steadying presence.
“My personal life is no longer your concern,” Holly said evenly.
“But it is,” Simon insisted. “Because I don’t want to see you get hurt.
The inn is going to be sold, Holly. It’s inevitable.
The Christmas family is drowning in debt, and this developer is offering them a very generous price.
When it happens, and it will happen, I don’t want you caught in the middle.
I don’t want you to get your heart broken when Jack loses everything. ”
“How noble of you,” Charlie said dryly. “To be so concerned about my sister’s heart after you spent three years breaking it yourself.”
Simon’s eyes flashed with irritation, but he kept his voice smooth.
“I made mistakes. I know that. But I’m trying to make amends.
Holly, if you help me. If you can find out who’s been helping the Christmas family fight this sale, I can make sure the developer offers an even better price.
Enough that the family walks away with something.
Enough that Jack doesn’t lose everything. ”
Holly stared at him, understanding dawning like cold water poured over her head. “You want me to spy for you. To betray Jack’s trust and find out who’s been helping them.”
“I want you to be realistic,” Simon said. “This sale is going to happen whether you help me or not. But if you help, you can make sure it happens in a way that benefits everyone. Including Jack.”
“And what do you get out of this?” Holly asked, though she already knew the answer.
Simon smiled. “I get to close this deal and make my clients very happy. Which means a significant bonus for me. And Terry, of course.”
Of course. It always came back to money and ambition with Simon. Holly felt something hardening in her chest, a cold certainty settling over her.
“I didn’t come here to discuss the inn,” Holly said slowly. “I came to find out when you were finally going to sign the divorce papers, as you’re the one holding this up.”
Simon’s smile widened. “I tell you what.” He leaned on the table. “If you help me identify who’s been helping the Christmas family hold up this sale, I’ll sign the papers immediately. You’ll be free to move on with your life. Free to be with Jack, if that’s what you want.”
The way he said it, so casually, as if he were offering her some great gift instead of the basic courtesy he should have extended months ago, made Holly’s blood boil.
“Let me make sure I understand,” Holly said, her voice deadly calm.
“You’re trying to bribe me. You want me to betray people who have been nothing but kind to me, people who have welcomed my family with open arms, so that you can help destroy their legacy and line your own pockets.
And in exchange, you’ll finally sign the divorce papers you should have signed months ago when I asked you to. ”
Simon’s expression flickered with uncertainty for the first time. “Holly, I’m just trying to—”
“No deal,” Holly said flatly.
Simon blinked. “What?”
“No. Deal.” Holly enunciated each word clearly. “I’m not going to spy for you. I’m not going to betray Jack or his family. And you can take your bribe and—”
“Holly, be reasonable,” Simon interrupted, his voice taking on a harder edge. “You’re letting emotions cloud your judgment. Think about what you’re giving up.”
“I’m not giving up anything,” Holly said, her voice rising slightly. “You are. You’re the one who destroyed our marriage. You’re the one who chose Terry over me. You’re the one who has been dragging out this divorce for months for no reason other than your own petty need for control.”
“I’m trying to help you—” Simon started.
“Help me?” Holly’s voice cracked with anger and hurt. “You want to help me? Then sign the divorce papers, Simon. Stop playing games. Stop trying to manipulate me. Just sign the papers and let me move on with my life.”
“And what about carpenter man?” Simon asked snidely, his mask of civility finally slipping. “You think Jack Christmas is going to want you when he loses his precious inn? When he realizes you could have helped him but chose not to?”
Holly’s anger was boiling over. She’d had enough and stood up so fast her chair scraped loudly against the floor. Several other patrons looked over, but she did not care.
“Don’t you dare,” Holly said, her voice shaking with fury.
“Don’t you dare try to make Jack sound like anything less than what he is.
Jack Christmas is ten times the man you could ever hope to be.
He’s honest. He’s honorable. He actually cares about people instead of just using them for his own gain. ”
“Holly—” Simon tried to interrupt, but Holly was not finished.
“Jack builds and restores things with his own hands. He creates beauty and preserves history because he believes in it, not because it makes him money. I don’t expect someone like you to understand.
” Holly leaned forward, her hands braced on the table.
“So don’t you ever try to belittle Jack again.
And don’t you ever try to use him to manipulate me.
Because the only person in this conversation who should be ashamed is you. ”
She straightened up and grabbed her purse. “Come on, Charlie. We’re leaving.”
Charlie stood gracefully, giving Simon a look that could have frozen lava. “I suggest you get your affairs in order, Simon. Including signing those divorce papers. Because if you don’t, I will personally make your life a legal nightmare. Are we clear?”
Simon’s face had gone red, his jaw clenched tight. “You’re making a mistake, Holly. Both of you.”
“The only mistake I made,” Holly said, “was staying married to you for as long as I did.”
She turned and walked toward the door, her head held high despite the trembling in her hands. Charlie followed close behind, and Holly could feel the eyes of other café patrons.
“I have to go to the ladies’ room,” Charlie told her, pulling her keys from her purse. “Here, take the keys and go to the car, so long, and I’ll meet you there.” She looked at Holly. “Are you okay?”
Holly nodded, grabbing the keys. “I’m fine. I’ll be in the car.”
The bell above the door chimed again as they stepped out into the afternoon sunshine. She got into the car, not realizing she was in the driver’s seat, staring at the horizon, not really seeing what was in front of her.
Minutes ticked by, and Holly’s mind reeled. The nerve of that man. Did he really think Holly would spy on the Christmas family for him? And then he had the gall to hang their divorce papers over her head.
“Holly,” Charlie’s voice at the car window made her jump as her sister pulled the door open. “You’re in my seat.”
“What?” Holly blinked and looked around her. “Oh. I’m sorry.” She climbed out of the car and went around to the passenger seat. “My mind is in turmoil.” Anger swished through her like a burning acid. “Can you believe that man?”
Charlie started the engine, and they pulled away from the café.
Holly glanced back through the side mirror as the cafe faded in the distance.
Her heart was still hammering in her chest, but she felt good.
She had stood up to Simon. She had chosen Jack and the Christmas family over her ex-husband’s manipulation.
Now she just had to make sure Jack knew that.
That he understood she was on his side, no matter what.
But as Charlie drove them back toward Anastasia Island, Holly felt anxiety creeping in. Would Jack understand why she had not told him about the meeting beforehand? Would he believe that she had refused Simon’s bribe? Or would he see her silence as betrayal?
“Stop spiraling,” Charlie said, as if reading her mind. “Jack will understand. He’s a good man, and good men listen before they judge.” She smiled. “Just be open and honest with him.”
Holly wanted to believe that. She really did.
But she could not shake the nagging fear that she had just made everything more complicated instead of simpler by not just telling Jack up front about her meeting with Simon.
Now it looked as if Holly had been trying to hide it.
She made a decision. As soon as she got back to the inn, Holly would find Jack.
She would tell him everything. And she would trust that what they had was strong enough to weather this storm.
Because if it wasn’t, maybe it had never been real to begin with.
And Holly was done settling for anything less than real.