“Difficult,” Holly repeated, her voice flat. “That’s aninteresting way to describe your affair with my best friend and your attempt to acquire the inn where I’m staying.”
Simon had the grace to wince, though Holly suspected it was more performance than genuine regret. “I wanted to explain about that. Terry and I?—”
“I don’t want to hear about Terry,” Holly cut him off sharply. “I don’t want to hear your justifications or your excuses. What I want to know is what you want from me. Why the urgent need to meet?”
The waitress returned with their coffees, and Simon waited until she left before speaking. He leaned forward, his expression shifting to something that was probably supposed to look earnest and concerned.
“I want to help you, Holly. I know you’ve gotten involved with the Christmas family and their inn. And I know you’ve probably developed feelings for Jack Christmas.”
Holly felt her jaw clench. Charlie’s hand found hers under the table, a steadying presence.
“My personal life is no longer your concern,” Holly said evenly.
“But it is,” Simon insisted. “Because I don’t want to see you get hurt. The inn is going to be sold, Holly. It’s inevitable. The Christmas family is drowning in debt, and this developer is offering them a very generous price. When it happens, and it will happen, I don’t want you caught in the middle. I don’t want you to get your heart broken when Jack loses everything.”
“How noble of you,” Charlie said dryly. “To be so concerned about my sister’s heart after you spent three years breaking it yourself.”
Simon’s eyes flashed with irritation, but he kept his voice smooth. “I made mistakes. I know that. But I’m trying to make amends. Holly, if you help me. If you can find out who’s been helping the Christmas family fight this sale, I can make sure the developer offers an even better price. Enough that the family walks away with something. Enough that Jack doesn’t lose everything.”
Holly stared at him, understanding dawning like cold water poured over her head. “You want me to spy for you. To betray Jack’s trust and find out who’s been helping them.”
“I want you to be realistic,” Simon said. “This sale is going to happen whether you help me or not. But if you help, you can make sure it happens in a way that benefits everyone. Including Jack.”
“And what do you get out of this?” Holly asked, though she already knew the answer.
Simon smiled. “I get to close this deal and make my clients very happy. Which means a significant bonus for me. And Terry, of course.”
Of course. It always came back to money and ambition with Simon. Holly felt something hardening in her chest, a cold certaintysettling over her.
“I didn’t come here to discuss the inn,” Holly said slowly. “I came to find out when you were finally going to sign the divorce papers, as you’re the one holding this up.”
Simon’s smile widened. “I tell you what.” He leaned on the table. “If you help me identify who’s been helping the Christmas family hold up this sale, I’ll sign the papers immediately. You’ll be free to move on with your life. Free to be with Jack, if that’s what you want.”
The way he said it, so casually, as if he were offering her some great gift instead of the basic courtesy he should have extended months ago, made Holly’s blood boil.
“Let me make sure I understand,” Holly said, her voice deadly calm. “You’re trying to bribe me. You want me to betray people who have been nothing but kind to me, people who have welcomed my family with open arms, so that you can help destroy their legacy and line your own pockets. And in exchange, you’ll finally sign the divorce papers you should have signed months ago when I asked you to.”
Simon’s expression flickered with uncertainty for the first time. “Holly, I’m just trying to?—”
“No deal,” Holly said flatly.
Simon blinked. “What?”
“No. Deal.” Holly enunciated each word clearly. “I’m not going to spy for you. I’m not going to betray Jack or his family. And you can take your bribe and?—”
“Holly, be reasonable,” Simon interrupted, his voice taking on a harder edge. “You’re letting emotions cloud your judgment. Think about what you’re giving up.”
“I’m not giving up anything,” Holly said, her voice rising slightly. “You are. You’re the one who destroyed our marriage. You’re the one who chose Terry over me. You’re the one who has been dragging out this divorce for months for no reason other than your own petty need for control.”
“I’m trying to help you—” Simon started.
“Help me?” Holly’s voice cracked with anger and hurt. “You want to help me? Then sign the divorce papers, Simon. Stop playing games. Stop trying to manipulate me. Just sign the papers and let me move on with my life.”
“And what about carpenter man?” Simon asked snidely, his mask of civility finally slipping. “You think Jack Christmas is going to want you when he loses his precious inn? When he realizes you could have helped him but chose not to?”
Holly’s anger was boiling over. She’d had enough and stood up so fast her chair scraped loudly against the floor. Several other patrons looked over, but she did not care.
“Don’t you dare,” Holly said, her voice shaking with fury. “Don’t you dare try to make Jack sound like anything less than what he is. Jack Christmas is ten times the man you could ever hope to be. He’s honest. He’s honorable. He actually cares about people instead of just using them for his own gain.”
