I’m shaken out of my thoughts as Jacinta heads to the microwave carrying two mugs, but Dad heads her off. “Stop it, Dad. I can do this.”
He takes the mugs out of her hands, places them in the microwave, and closes the door. “I know you can, sweetheart, but we all know that your talents lie in fashion and not food. Just go see how Harlow is and let me do this. Grab her that tylenol so Nana doesn’t have to. After all their worrying, you know your grandparents could use some rest too.” She huffs, stomping out of the kitchen without an argument, though she does flip me off on the way past when I unsuccessfully try to smother my smile.
He sets the timer and presses start before turning to face me, leaning back on the bench. Dressed in jeans and a casual shirt, my dad looks young enough to be our older brother, with only a tinge of gray in his blond hair. I can understand what a young woman may see in him.
He crosses his arms and stares me down before a smile breaks out over his face. “I’m really happy to see that you and Holden are working things out. It’s nice to see something going right at the moment.” He runs a hand through his hair, something he’s always done when he’s frustrated. “What does this asshole want, Oli? How are we going to keep Harlow safe when we don't know that?”
I can see the torment in Dad’s eyes, but I think it’s time for some hard truths. Jaxon had called me while Kai and Harlow were checking out the new surfers he’s been looking to sponsor, and he told me about their theories of Cecelia holding something over his head. What other reason could the brilliant businessman have for keeping such a horrid woman on his staff... unless he was sleeping with her. A shudder wracks my body at the thought. Although she’s tried it on with all of us, there’s just something about her. Something predatory, but not in a good way, like a black widow, ready-to-devour kind of way. But from the look on his face when we suggested that option, I think he’s telling the truth about not sleeping with her. So what could it be?
“Dad, is Cecelia blackmailing you?”
The frustration turns to panic as my dad’s whole body stiffens. “Why would you think that?” He avoids the question with a question of his own, and then the microwave beeps, giving him an excuse to turn away from me. I grab the other two from the bench and put them in while he grabs the chocolate powder and mixes it into the first two mugs, avoiding looking at me.
Huh, that’s not like Dad at all.The one thing I admire about him the most is he always looks you in the eye no matter what he has to tell you. It was one of the reasons Holden and I started to trust him.
“Dad,” I push, and he sighs, his shoulders sort of hunching in. When he turns to look at me, he’s devastated. Devastated in a way that I have never seen before, not even when Holden was shot. Holy fuck, were we right?
“Can you give me a week? Give me a week to sort a few things out, and then I will tell you all everything. I need you to keep this between you and me for the moment. Can you do that for me? I’d appreciate it.” With that, he takes the two mugs of hot chocolate out to the girls, leaving me reeling. The sound of the microwave echoes through the silent kitchen, only the pounding of my heart giving it some competition.
Fuck. I have to keep this a secret from everyone, even Holden and Harlow? God, I hope Dad gets this shit figured out so they’ll forgive me.
Chapter Five
Harlow
Dad brings out our hot chocolate, Oliver following not far behind, but instead of joining us on the couch, he says he’s going to take his up to his room. There’s an obvious tension between them that doesn’t do much to calm the lingering nerves that I’m dealing with. Oliver gives both Holden and me a kiss on the cheek then quickly disappears without a backward glance.
“Is everything okay?” Jacinta pries, not willing to leave the awkwardness alone.
Dad sighs. “It will be.” He also gives me and Jacinta a kiss on the cheek and Holden a squeeze on the good shoulder before he leaves too.
“Huh. I wonder what that was about?” She merely looks curious, but Holden is wearing a look that mirrors how I feel, his brow creased with worry.
“Do you think it has to do with us?” He’s voicing exactly what I’m thinking, though I don’t know if that’s a comfort or not. If more than one person is thinking it, doesn’t that somehow make it feel all the more valid?
“God no.” Jacinta waves her hand. “Dad has always been supportive of you two, even when there wasn't a ‘you two.’ Not to mention he’s keeping an open mind about Harlow and you guys too. Seriously, Dad is amazing when it comes to all of us. It’s got to be about something else.”
We fall into a contemplative silence as the three of us drink our hot chocolate. My mind races, thinking about what could be wrong between Dad and Oliver.
“Back to work tomorrow, Jazzy? I bet you’re looking forward to that.” Holden breaks the silence, and I’m grateful for it because my mind was stuck. What if he was lying when he told me he was okay with all of this? It wouldn’t be the first time a parent lied to me, but I just don’t want to disappoint him or taint the relationship between us.
Jacinta chews on her lip, and a little line appears between her eyes. “I’m excited about going back to work, but I’m nervous about the new designers.” She looks at me, and instead of even a hint of the ice princess that she was when we first met, there’s a softness in her eyes, a vulnerability that makes her seem much more approachable and dare I say more delicate than she ever has. “You know them. Shit, you helped pick them. What are they like?”
I think carefully before I answer. She’s trusting me, so I’m going to be honest rather than taking what could be a chance to mess with her a bit. “Both are extremely talented, and Jace is awesome. He’s going to be living with Shane and Alex for the duration of his contract and then reassess if you decide to keep him on.” Her frown disappears at the mention of Shane and Alex, and I see the interest lighting up her eyes. I smother a smile but make a note to manipulate some interaction between Jacinta and my new friends. Something that doesn't involve her being their boss or them needing to impress her. “They all seem to get on like a house on fire—actually more like a raging wildfire—but that’s not going to affect him at work.” She looks a little confused for a moment, but Holden gets it right away if his snort is any indication. Her eyebrows jump in surprise when she finally gets what I’m alluding to, but that interest is still there.
“I’m looking forward to meeting him. Nana showed me his portfolio, and his designs are divine. I want to plan an evening dress line since we haven't done one in a while. Maybe a separate line that only does elegant ball gowns.” She’s so excited about the idea that she’s practically bouncing on the sofa, and I really like seeing this side of Jacinta. She’s so enthusiastic she reminds me of Max. I can now see how the two of them were friends years ago. Knowing her history now, I completely understand that ice princess defense mechanism. I wish I hadn't had to find out firsthand how she lashes out when unsure, but I also get why she did what she did.
Holden smiles at her indulgently, making it all the more clear just how much her brothers love her. But then he turns to me, narrowing his eyes. “What about the other designer, the female one who actually turned up the next day and started work? Nana said something about it while you were away. That she was eager to learn everything she could.”
Fucking hell, Holden. I shoot him a death stare, but he smirks, not intimidated in the least. I had told him and Oliver how I was sure that Jacinta and Rowena were going to clash. I was hoping she would stay distracted with Jace so I could skip over Rowena.
Jacinta must see the look I give Holden because she stops bouncing. “Harlow,” she purrs dangerously, “what aren't you telling me?”
“Well, would you look at the time?” I make a show of looking at my bare wrist before getting up. “Looks like it’s time for bed. My head isreallystarting to pound again.” I’m hoping bringing up my injury is enough to distract her, but her vise grip over my invisible watch keeps me right where I am.
“Harlow,” she growls.
A big sigh of defeat wooshes out of me. I know I’m going to have to face the music, so I sit back down. “To be honest, I thought she was talented but a stuck-up bitch. She’s trained through some exclusive design school, and her designs are beautiful, but the girl just rubbed me the wrong way. I also think part of the reason Nana hired her was to keep you on your toes, but I have this gut feeling that she’s going to cause problems. I already overheard your assistant and her talking smack while Hope and I were there. Like, what the hell is up with that? I swear Hope and Lindy almost came to blows.” Jacinta rolls her eyes, and Holden just snorts again in amusement. Damn man.
