THIRTY-ONE
“NO, THEY’RE STILL in their bedroom,” Holly said, shuffling across the bed a little more.
Baer was in the shower; Freya was sitting up in their bed. Their libidos cried out to be sated, distance was turning out to be their only hope. If she followed him in there…
Thankfully, Holly saved her from the torment by appearing in their bedroom only moments after Baer departed. Dilemma diverted, though not erased for good. Her cousin was at best a distraction. She was still hyperaware that Baer was naked just a room away, so easily accessible…
“Freya!” Holly’s exclamation interrupted her daydream. “I can’t believe you really outed him like that.”
The smile on her cousin’s face was a little impressed, and maybe a little proud too.
“I didn’t. I don’t know if I meant to, I don’t know if it would’ve gone that way. Baer saved me the trouble. Anyway, she knows now. It’s out there. We can’t take it back.”
“I can’t believe it.” Holly’s wonder was emphasized by the width of her eyes and the disbelief in her tone. “And Baer just admitted…?”
“He didn’t out Donoghue, so you’re fine, your secret is safe.” Which was okay because Donoghue was a temporary deal and didn’t owe them anything. Not that Baer did, but he’d be hanging around in their lives… she hoped. “I haven’t seen or heard from Kelly since we left the bedroom last night. Do you think she’s okay? Have you heard anything?”
Like her and Baer’s room, Kelly and Nickson’s room shared a wall with their private bathroom. Holly’s room was in closer proximity though, meaning she’d be likely to overhear any drama.
“There were some raised voices,” Holly said, adjusting her shoulder on the headboard. “There was laughing too.” For the first time, Holly’s eyes narrowed. “If they were over, Kelly would’ve kicked him out. Wouldn’t she? He wouldn’t still be here.”
“Do you know for sure he is still here?”
She didn’t.
The question tickled Holly’s intrigue. “You think she kicked him out in the middle of the night?”
The time didn’t matter. Anyone could call a cab whenever. She didn’t necessarily believe Kelly ended the relationship. There would’ve been more shouting and crying, wouldn’t there? Once he was gone, Kelly would have visited her sister’s room. Ending an engagement, no matter how short, was a big deal. A monumental thing Kelly didn’t have to go through alone.
“Maybe. I don’t know. Have your parents said anything?”
“They already knew something was going on. They’re not blind.” Holly threw up her arms. “What a vacation! It’s not one we’ll forget.”
That was true. “What has Donoghue said about it?”
“He’s a guy of few words.”
“Oh, is he?” she teased. “So maybe there were fireworks in Kelly’s room, you were just deafened by your own?”
“No!” Holly laughed. “He is good at keeping me occupied.” Which was probably the only reason Holly hadn’t burst into her sister’s room in the wee hours to satisfy her curiosity. Holly wasn’t known for her patience. “I can tell you he’s curious about you and Baer.”
“Curious how?”
The last thing Baer needed was someone poking around in their business. What right did he have—okay, yes, she, the meddler, saw the irony in that affront. Maybe Roxie was contagious.
“Something Baer said about you.” Freya didn’t need a flashback to identify those words. “He’s really into you.”
She appreciated Holly’s smile with her own. “The feeling is mutual.”
“Haven’t I always said you two had chemistry up the yazoo?”
“Chemistry is easy. And…” She shrugged. “Actually, it’s just easy to be with him. In every way. I can’t remember life without him. I don’t ever want to be without him.”
“I’m happy for you both. Truman may not say the same…”
“He’ll come around. He always gives in eventually.”
Or she did. Her grandfather was usually right. Their relationship didn’t take too many hits after they butted heads on an issue. Usually because either he surrendered to whatever she wanted, or she admitted he was right and everything was reset. They weren’t too proud to concede to each other, however her grandfather did tend to hang on to his point of view just a little longer than she did.
“You’re sure?” Holly asked. “You going to make a go of it? You and Baer? For real?” Her cousin scowled. “You won’t have to pay him forever, will you? I think he’s a great guy, but you know him better than me. If this is a money thing—”
“He’s not like that. I’m sure of that.” Probably as sure as Kelly had been that her fiancé wasn’t a former gigolo. “I’m not sure how it will work out. There are things that we don’t… Agree on. Important things.”
“Things that could break you up?”
“I hope not. We’ll figure it out.” She considered him a reasonable man. She was reasonable too. If they were meant to be, they’d find a compromise. “I’ve really never felt like this before.”
Squealing, Holly grinned and grabbed her hand. “I’m so happy for you! This is so exciting! And the escort thing won’t matter after he gives it up.”
It mattered to Kelly even though Nickson had quit. This was different, she’d known from the start. Their issue was Baer didn’t seem to be in much of a hurry to give it up, even for her. Maybe it was a trust thing. Did he trust her not to dump him and leave him destitute? He had to know her better than that… didn’t he?
“I love the man, not the job he does.”
“You love him?” Holly squealed again. “This is like so incredible! And you didn’t even want to go to—”
“Yeah, yeah, okay.” So her cousin had been right, she did admit that. “But, tell the truth, we didn’t go there looking for love. You could never have predicted this.”
Holly nodded. “Okay, yeah, you’ve got me there. Are you going to keep it a secret?” Her cousin gasped. “If you get married? What if you have kids? Will you tell them how you met? The true story?”
She laughed. “I imagine that’s something you’ll take care of for me.” Her fingertips touched Holly’s cheek for just a breath. “It will be Baer’s choice. Whatever he wants, we’ll do. But that’s way, way in the future. I don’t think we’ll talk marriage and kids for a while.”
Let the guy get used to them, her world, before she roped him in deeper. Her? She thought about the money, and how it could improve the Claymores’ life, would she be allowed to take on a caring role? They could wait until the twins were adults before thinking about starting their own family. Did Baer want biological children? She could help with the twins, chores—unless Baer wanted a staff. Gosh, there was such a lot to think about. Most men were happy to embrace the fortune, it didn’t feel like Baer was one of those guys.
When the bathroom door opened, he got both of their attention, though they didn’t move. Hair wet, white towel slung around his hips, that perfect sculpted form… it was possible she was drooling, again, Holly too.
“Mmm…” her cousin purred. “Now I think I’m in love.”
She tugged Holly’s hand and laughed. “Get your own!”
Baer went to the closet to pick out his clothes.
“Baer, do you want kids?” Man, her cousin was bold. Despite another nudge, Holly didn’t quiet. “You know, in the future, what do you see? Big house? Big wedding? Big brood?”
“I want whatever you pay me to want, sweetheart,” he muttered, tossing a T-shirt over his shoulder and turning to face them. “You two making plans? Whose relationship you interfering with next?” That better be a joke. Though his affect was pretty flat. “Have we heard anything from the happy couple?”
“Not yet. They’re still locked up together in the room. As far as we know. Holly’s too scared to go down to breakfast.”
Her cousin shoved her a little. “I am not scared.”
“Donoghue’s down there with your parents alone? Confident women. Never know what he might say next.”
Speared by alarm, Holly’s shoulders went back. “What could he say? What do you think he’ll say? I never told him to say anything. He doesn’t know anything. We didn’t talk about it.”
“You didn’t tell him what happened last night?”
“I didn’t know what happened,” Holly said. “Not the details, only what Freya said when we snuck to the bathroom before bed.”
Leaving Baer and Donoghue alone with the Piven parents. They hadn’t taken that long, and what choice had she had? Holly had to know about the developments, just in case something exploded. Though at that point, she hadn’t known much. She still didn’t know.
“Until they come out of that room…” Even then, they may not know. “Unless they hate the sight of me and curse my name.”
“You didn’t do shit, Lil’. If either of them starts anything with you—”
“Aww,” Holly swooned. “You two really are perfect for each other.” Baer headed for the bathroom with his clothes. “You don’t have to change in there on my account, Baer, honey!”
Smiling, she shook her head, just as Baer did. She was paying for fidelity. Though she preferred to believe his goods were wholly hers, even if that wouldn’t always be the case.
“I should get ready too,” she said, stretching her back. “It won’t help ease suspicions if we hide here all day.”
The bedroom door opened and there was Kelly, sneaking around it, practicing stealth… not that it was necessary after she spotted her sister. Her parents were downstairs, everyone else was in the loop.
“Oh my God!” Holly hissed and clambered off the bed to go grab her sister into a hug. “What happened? We’re going crazy in here. You’ve been locked up in there forever. He could’ve killed you and chopped you into little pieces or anything.”
Because he might be a crazed lunatic, coincidently a psychopath and an escort? Holly couldn’t mean to imply his work history was a factor. If that was the qualifier, they were all at risk.
As soon as Holly released the hug, Kelly sidestepped to blink at her. “She knows? Can’t you control your employees?”
Her…? What?
“Excuse me? My what? You might be upset, you’re stressed, but watch your tongue.” Throwing back the covers, she was quick to get to her feet. “Baer is my boyfriend, not my employee. And he means a lot to me, more than you understand. And he’s been honest with me, since the start.”
“There’s no need to fall out,” Holly said, playing mediator. “We have each other’s backs, we’re here for each other. The sisterhood, right?”
“Your boyfriend?” Kelly asked, intrigued rather than angry. “Your boyfriend is an escort?”
“So is yours.”
“You’re not supporting him? You have all the money in the world, and your boyfriend still has to go out and sell himself to cover bills?”
Okay, so it was less of a judgment on Baer, and more of one on her. The confusion could be forgiven, she gave money left and right whenever people needed it. Her grandfather’s little bleeding heart, she never saw someone in need and failed to help. Kelly had to wonder why Baer was the exception.
Before she could answer, Baer reappeared from the bathroom.
“Oh…” Kelly said, her cheeks reddening. “I didn’t know you were—”
“I’ve been called worse for less reward.” She became his focus. “Want me to stay or go downstairs and—”
“Downstairs. We can’t leave Paul there alone.”
Good for her remembering to reference Holly’s fake boyfriend, rather than Donoghue.
“I have questions,” Kelly said. “I need to—”
“Frey can answer them.”
“She can’t know—”
“She knows more than I’ll tell you.” He came over to stroke her hair and dipped to brush his lips across hers. “Holler if you need me.”
“I’ll go hoarse,” she said and squeezed his shoulder. “Don’t go too far.”
She’d want to fill him in on whatever Kelly said. As it stood, they didn’t know if Nickson was still in the building.
He kissed her again and headed for the door.
“Baer,” Kelly said, just before he opened it. “Thank you for… being honest.”
“I did it for Frey, not for you.”
Okay, he didn’t have to be that honest.
“Regardless,” Kelly said. “Thank you.”
He nodded and went out. So he got a thank you and she got accusations of being cheap? That was fine. Baer had taken a burden for her, he’d been ready to be the bad guy, saving her the trouble.
“So…” Holly said, dragging Kelly to the bed to sit her down. “Is Nickson here? Is he gone? Are you together? Apart? What?”
Kelly exhaled. “He’s in the shower, we’re… coming to terms with it.” The next appeal came her way. “It’s a relief really to find out you and Baer are serious. How do you deal with it?”
“Mostly by pretending it doesn’t exist.” Kind of true. “When he’s with me, we’re together, he’s mine.”
“He does it for a reason, doesn’t he? It’s not like an addiction or—”
“He has his reasons.” She went to join her cousins on the bed. “I won’t get into that though, that’s his business.”
“And Nickson? What are his reasons for doing it?”
“He doesn’t do it anymore,” Kelly told her sister. “That part of his life is over.” She inhaled, paused, then released the breath. “I can’t judge him for what he did in the past. We all have histories, he got in trouble, had some debts and that’s all gone now.”
Better gone than still ongoing through their marriage. Still, the timing of that would be massively coincidental. He just happened to pay off all his debts and give up Squires in the same time bracket he met and fell for Kelly?
“All gone?” Holly asked. “Are you sure?”
“He says so.”
“Yeah, but he also said he wasn’t an escort so…”
“He didn’t say that,” Kelly leaped on the defensive. “I didn’t ask that question and he never lied. He was ashamed, embarrassed. Think about it, if it was the other way around and I’d sold myself to cover debt, we’d crucify him for judging and dumping me.”
Yes, maybe, though that sounded more like it came from Nickson’s mouth than from Kelly’s.
“All that matters is that you love him,” Freya said, taking Kelly’s hand. “If you love him, and you want to be with him, we’ll support you.”
She was speaking for Holly too, although the woman hadn’t told her that explicitly. What choice did they have? They’d wanted Nickson to be honest, for Kelly to know the truth, and now she did. They could all relax and enjoy their vacation; tensions would die down. This was family time and Nickson was Kelly’s choice. They had to give the guy a chance.