“But your phone was in his car?”Holly arched a brow.
Felicity sighed.“It wasn’t my idea.I’m working at the bookshop for the holidays, and well, it was snowing out, and Connie practically forced him to give me a lift to the school.It was no big deal.”
“The school?You were taking a walk down memory lane?”
“Not even close.We were just at the school working on the Christmas play.”
“Together?”
Felicity shook her head.“No.He’s doing the set, and I’m working on the costumes, but to be honest, most of them are done.”
“But you’re spending time with Justin.”Holly felt like they’d taken a step back in time.She was at the party with Colin.Felicity was there with Justin.
“I see my mother.I have to go.It was good to see you.Hope we can see each other again before I leave town.”
Holly nodded.“I’d like that.”
They hugged, and then Felicity walked away.No sooner was she gone than Colin returned.His face was drawn, as though something was weighing on his mind.She braced herself for whatever he was about to tell her.
When he stopped next to her, she said, “Whatever it is, just tell me.”
“From what I can gather, Roger and Billie Jean are going around the room drumming up money for some sort of investment that has to do with some special computers.”
“Are you serious?”The question was meant to be rhetorical, but Colin was nodding.
“I’m so sorry.”
“Do you think this investment even exists?”She couldn’t believe she had to question anything and everything about her parents, but until a couple of days ago, they didn’t want to be a part of her life.
Colin rubbed the back of his neck.“I don’t know.But it seems strange to me that they’re trying to get money from ordinary people instead of a bank.”
“You’re right.They need to stop.”Not taking time to think over her next steps, Holly headed for her parents, who were now speaking to Colin’s parents.She stopped in front of Roger and Billie Jean.“You need to stop trying to get money from my friends.”
“Sweetie,” Billie Jean said, “you don’t understand.”
“I understand that you’re asking my friends for their hard-earned money.”
Roger looked a bit flustered.“You’re blowing this out of proportion.We’re trying to help your friends.”
“I don’t believe you.”She reached into her purse and pulled out the bill from The Peppermint Courtyard.She held it out to Roger.“You owe me for lunch.You both skipped out before the bill came.”
“We did not.”Roger’s face filled with color.“I was going to pay you.”He glanced down at the bill.“But I, uh, forgot my wallet back in our room at the B&B.”
When he made no motion to reach for his wallet, she knew he had no intention of paying her back.It was as though she were seeing them clearly for the first time.“This isn’t right.You need to stop with the sales pitch.This is a holiday party.I don’t know what you think you’re doing, but it needs to stop now.”She turned back to Tricia and John Bishop.“I’m so sorry.”
Without hesitating.Holly turned and walked toward the exit.She needed to get out of there.Her chest was tight, and tears pricked the backs of her eyes.She refused to let anyone see her tears.
“Holly, wait,” her mother called out.“It’s not what you think.”
She kept going, like she hadn’t heard Billie Jean.She would have walked straight out the door if Colin hadn’t appeared in front of her with her coat in his hands.She paused, and he held it out to her.And then hand in hand they walked outside.
The cold air felt good against her heated face, and at last she felt as though she could take a full breath.Colin drove them back to her place.Neither of them spoke on the short drive.Holly was too busy replaying the events of the evening.How could she have been so wrong about them?
Once in the apartment, she let Tater Tot out of his crate.He jumped up on her leg, and she bent down to pick him up.She laid her head against him, enjoying holding his warm, wiggly body.He was so sweet.
“Are you doing okay?”Colin’s voice was gentle and full of warmth.
She nodded, even though she felt anything but okay.“I’m sorry to make you leave.”
