Every face turned her way and she knew Willow, Scarlett, and Grace had already told the others about meeting Sebastian this morning.
“You didn’t bring Digby,” Willow complained, setting a pot of coffee on the table.
“He’s not my dog,” she replied, perching on the edge of a chair.
“That’s right,” Scarlett said, her gaze sharp, “he belongs to the hot new billionaire in town.”
After learning more about Seb from Vince, she supposed that wasn’t much of an exaggeration. “What are y’all reading this week?” Holly asked in a blatant attempt to change the subject. “And where’s Trina?”
“The baby is sick,” Hazel explained. “And back up a beat. Mrs. Gable says your new guy is handsome and already in love with you.”
Holly nearly dropped the cup of coffee she’d poured. “First, not my guy and second, you know better than to believe everything Mrs. Gable spouts.”
“There’s a seed of truth in every exaggeration.” Hazel did a remarkable job imitating the older woman.
Beside her Camille and Charity laughed while Scarlett rolled her eyes.
Holly slumped in her chair. “No one wants to talk books?”
“Not a chance,” Scarlett said.
“I want details,” Grace agreed, her eyes bright with the kind of focus she usually reserved for new inventory at the boutique. “He was a complete mystery and now you’re having coffee with him and his dog.” She tapped her fingers together. “Spill, Holly.”
She sipped her coffee, trying to keep her expression neutral. “He loves Connie’s apple strudel.”
“So he has good taste.” Grace smiled. “And he’ll fit right in.”
“Why the Marion estate?” Scarlett wondered. “For that matter, why Brookwell at all?”
“A friend recommended our town,” Holly said before she caught herself. “No names, but Seb’s friend is connected with one of the bands that attended the music festival.”
Grace’s hands curled around her hot chocolate. “Is he aware the Marion estate has a seat on the planning committee?”
“I’ve mentioned it.” She smiled. “So, what’s everyone reading?”
“Same as last week for me,” Hazel piped up, her fingers wrapped around a thick historical biography. “But since when are you on a first name basis? Last week we were all referring to him as the recluse on the point.”
Willow arched her eyebrows, aiming a knowing look at Holly. “He’s different than the headlines, isn’t he? This morning he looked… well, remarkably grounded for a man who owns half of Silicon Valley.”
“That’s a fair assessment,” Holly agreed. Grounded and wounded. “Obviously, there are layers. Just like everyone else.”
“One of those layers includes a boat,” Camille said. “Your trip to Parker’s wasn’t a state secret.”
“Of course not.” She weighed how best to get out of this conversation. “He’s an introvert.” Surely, they could all respect that. “And I don’t think he expected so much attention when he moved to a small town.”
A collective “Oh” rippled through the group. Not all her book club friends had been raised here. They understood the adjustment process. When folks in Brookwell said hello or asked about your day, they cared about the answer.
“And?” Scarlett pressed. “You looked almost smitten this morning.”
Holly felt her cheeks heat. “That’s more complicated,” Holly admitted, finally dropping the reporter’s mask. “We’re working on an interview, so I need to keep my professional distance. But he asked me to help navigate the small-town situation and that feels more personal.”
“You like him,” Grace said. “You like whatever’s going on behind the story. I heard you two were practically inseparable at Parker’s.”
Holly nodded, miserable. “I need to hand the story back to Vince. Me being involved is just a fluke anyway. Vince had a flat tire, so I went over and…” She had way too many feelings for a man she just met. Especially when that man had the potential to create an upheaval on the island with his property rights. “He came here for the peace and quiet.”
“And you’re helping him find it?” Grace arched a perfectly groomed eyebrow. “That’s how it looked this morning. Can’t you have both the story and the guy?”
Holly shook her head. “The personal stuff is platonic. Just a deal we made as a joke. I’m his local guide, that’s all. As for the story, I’m insisting on transparency, just like always. Anything outside of those lines feels almost manipulative.”
