Chapter 19 #2
According to the article, Mason was an only child, and his parents were both deceased. He’d never had children nor had he remarried after his divorce, so the answer could be anyone. Including Talia. She wasn’t mentioned in this article at all.
Would Talia kill Mason for the money? He thought they were getting back together. So what about Bret? Was he Talia’s not-so-secret boyfriend? Or was it just a front so people wouldn’t guess she was going back to Mason?
This could be its own reality show. Instead of being up front, you had to figure out what everyone’s relationship status really was. It was giving her a headache, and she’d never liked those shows anyway.
Killer was going to be mad, but it was time to get glammed up for tonight’s events. Fireworks were scheduled after the awards presentation. Hopefully, the fireworks would stay in the air and not erupt before between the nominees.
Rarity had already picked out her dress for the evening.
Short but with sparkles all over it. The fabric was soft and light, something that she would appreciate if the evening stayed warm.
And she’d found dress-up walking shoes to go with the outfit.
She wasn’t one of the actresses, so she didn’t feel the need to take out her heels for the night.
The way things were going, she probably could donate them and not miss the shoes at all.
She’d worn heels every time Kevin had taken her to dinner.
They’d gone to the fancy steakhouses and the fine dining restaurants.
Anywhere Kevin could be seen and talk to others.
It was all about the show back then. She was just a pretty appendage.
Until she lost her hair and her face started showing the effects of working a full-time job and the cancer treatments.
Until she was too tired to wear the heels. Then he’d shown his true colors.
Even when he’d tracked her down here in Sedona to apologize, Rarity wondered what the game was behind his sudden change of heart. Who did he need her to impress today?
Archer didn’t worry about what she wore, unless he thought she would be chilly. Or the time he bought her new hiking boots because he thought her old ones were too heavy. He wanted to be with her for her. And after his step back when his father was in hospice, he’d been the perfect boyfriend.
Except they hadn’t talked about the next step again. Was he waiting for her to ask? Or what? Maybe next weekend they could carve out some time to really talk about where they were going.
And as she stared at her image in the mirror, she realized she didn’t have the brain cells to worry about the next step in her relationship right now.
Maybe Archer was feeling the same way. She closed her eyes and took a long breath, letting it out slowly.
Worry never got her anywhere. Besides, how did she even get on this mental track?
She had a murder to help solve and a Hollywood-style party to attend.
She finished with the makeup and her hair updo. Then she took a look at herself in the full-length mirror. It would do.
Rarity’s assessment was confirmed when she opened the door to Archer a few minutes later.
“Wow, you look amazing. Maybe I should go home and change into my suit. I thought black jeans and a button-down would work, but I look like your hayseed country boyfriend next to you.” He kissed her on the cheek lightly, as if trying not to mess up her makeup.
“You look hot in anything, so don’t worry about it.” She grabbed her shawl and went over to check that the back door was locked. “Okay, Killer. We’re going out for a bit, but we’ll be home soon. I’ve turned a movie on for you.”
“Did you check his water dish?” Archer went over and looked. “Sorry, yes, it’s full. I guess I shouldn’t question your pet mother responsibilities.”
“It’s nice having someone here to help out.” Rarity stopped and smiled. “Sorry, I don’t want to overstep.”
He paused and leaned against the island. “It sounds like we need to have a talk about where we are and where we’re going. Can we put it off until another day? Or do you want to skip this thing and sit out by the pool?”
“In your dreams. Yes, I think we should talk, but not tonight.” She took his hand. “I feel like we’re tiptoeing around each other. But you don’t have to respond. We’ll set a date and talk then.”
“Sounds good,” he said as he adjusted her shawl. “You look totally out of my league and I’m probably going to have to beat all the other guys off you with a baseball bat. Do you have one I can borrow?”
“Sorry, no, Drew keeps our league equipment.” She kissed him, then wiped the lipstick off his cheek. “You’re amazing.”
“Let’s get this thing over with. The Hollywood guys have an early hike with me tomorrow. I’d cancel but again, they tip like crazy. I’m just stacking the money right now. I don’t know what pot I’m putting it in, but it’s going to be full to the brim.”
“Did you hear about the book donation drive? They posted it in the paper today and my store was a madhouse.” Rarity talked as she gave Killer a rub and then headed to the door.
“Oh, and I met Gretchen Wiler today. She said her assistant was supposed to warn me about the book drive. Of course, they could have gotten the books at any store, but with the Next Chapter being in town, we got the majority of the hit from the drive. I should thank her and give her a check for the drive as well.”
As they walked into town, they talked about little things. The night, the moon, the stars, and the events of the day.
The only thing they didn’t talk about was their future. But for tonight, Rarity thought as she breathed in the cooler air, that was just fine with her.