“Pamela!” Holly hissed, anger flooding through her. “What are you doing here?”
“I... uh...” Pamela fumbled, her usual poise completely gone. She glanced toward the front door, then back at Holly. “No... nothing. I was just...”
She swallowed hard, looking genuinely flustered. “Oh dear. I’m... I’m early.” Pamela glanced at the door again. “I should... I’ll just wait outside until after...”
“What are you talking about?” Holly demanded, moving closer. “After what?”
“Nothing,” Pamela said quickly. Too quickly. “Oh, this is really awkward.” She looked at Holly with what might have been pity or might have been calculation. Holly couldn’t tell. “I’ll just go.”
“I think that’s a very good idea,” Holly said coldly, her eyes drawn to the beautiful red rose in Pamela’s hand. The same kind of rose that Jack kept in his office.
Pamela turned and rushed toward the door, and as she did, the note in her hand fluttered to the floor. It looked almost intentional, but Holly couldn’t be sure.
Holly stalked after her, her heels clicking sharply on the hardwood floor. “You dropped this,” she called out, but Pamela was already out the door.
Holly bent to pick up the note, and her breath caught when she recognized Jack’s distinctive handwriting. He’d written Pamela a note and given her a red rose?
With trembling fingers, Holly opened the note.
Sorry, I’m running late. Have to deal with something quickly. It shouldn’t take long to fix the problem, and then we’ll have the entire night together. I’ve missed you so much. Jack.
Holly’s heart thudded once, hard, and then seemed to drop into her stomach. She froze where she stood, feeling a myriad of emotions crash over her all at once.
Jack had written this note. For Pamela. The rose was for Pamela.She didn’t understand. Why would he tell her to dress up if he was waiting for Pamela? Her mind reeled.
And Holly had been... what? A fool? A placeholder? A way to pass the time until Jack got back together with his ex-wife?
No. No, that couldn’t be right.Jack had kissed her this morning. Had looked at her with such affection in his eyes.
The front door burst open, and Jack rushed in, slightly out of breath. His eyes landed on Holly and widened.
“Holly?” he said, and Holly heard what she interpreted as shock in his voice.Shock at seeing her still there. Shock that his plan had been discovered.
“Who were you expecting?” Holly asked, her voice coming out colder than she’d intended.
“I don’t understand,” Jack said, genuine confusion crossing his face. “We were meeting here for dinner. I’m sorry I’m late, I had to?—”
“What?” Holly couldn’t stop the words from pouring out before she could think them through. “Because you had to run after your ex-wife and tell her she jumped the gun and came here too early?”
“What on earth are you talking about, Holly?” Jack asked, taking a step closer.
“You had to deal with me?” Holly sneered, hating herself for how she sounded but unable to stop. “Is that what I am to you? A problem that needs fixing?”
Jack moved closer, his expression shifting from confusion to concern. “Holly, what?—”
Holly slammed the note against his chest, her hand shaking. “Your ex-wife dropped this on her way out after getting here a little too early, and I caught her. I guess she wanted to witness the show where you ‘let me down gently.’“
Jack caught the note as it fell, his eyes scanning it quickly. “Ex? What ex...” His eyes widened with understanding. “Do you mean Pamela?” He looked toward the door, his expression darkening with anger. “She was here? Tonight?”
“Yes, I’m afraid she left,” Holly said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “But I’m sure if you hurry, you can catch her.”
She turned to walk away, needing to escape before the tears threatening to spill actually fell. But Jack caught her wrist gently, stopping her.
“This is just like her,” Jack said, and Holly heard real anger inhis voice now. “I have no idea what she said to you, but whatever it was, it’s a lie.”
“Oh, really?” Holly whirled toward him, glaring and pulling against his grip. “The red rose and that note say otherwise.”
Jack sighed heavily. “I’m going to let you go, but please stay here. Please.”
