She frowns, but it’s playful. In the privacy of the booth, I let her in on the scheme, and her eyes widen. “We need to go now. We can’t wait another second.”
As we head to the door, though, Chris weaves through the crowd, flanked by his own security detail—a guy named Daveed, who’s the size of a tank.
Chris reaches Haven, setting a hand on her arm. “Haven, did you say you’re going back to Lavender Bliss tonight? Vega is still there, and I desperately need to chat with her. Can I join you? I’d hate for guests to keep showing up all night long since none of us are staying there. Best for your sister if we all show up at once?”
Ah, hell.
I was looking forward to a quiet farm. But maybe it’ll be good, having other people there—a distraction so Ripley doesn’t spot me too soon. Yeah, I can make this work.
Haven glances at me, making sure it’s okay. “Is that all right, Banks?”
“Absolutely,” I say. “I’ve got room in my car for everyone.”
Chris clasps his fingers together in gratitude. “I am in your debt.”
He’s not really, but it’s amusing that he says so.
We leave the party, and I’m not at all surprised that the major paparazzi are gone. They’ve probably realized by now there’s no money shot here. A couple of passersby lift their phones, but all they’ll get is two actors leaving a bar with their bodyguards.
Haven and Chris smile and wave like it’s another publicity shot of co-workers, nothing more. I’m sure that’s how PR has coached them, and it’s wise in a world where there’s a camera in every pocket. Everyone’s the paparazzi now.
Daveed and I quickly usher the actors to my car. Once they’re in, we take off.
I check the rearview mirror religiously as I drive. No one seems to be following us. That’s good. Ten minutes later, we arrive at Lavender Bliss. My pulse spikes, and my heart clatters as I park.
Chris and Haven go inside the farmhouse while Daveed waits at the gate, keeping watch. I dart around the back of the cottage, where Ripley can’t see me, and head quietly toward the cottage’s front door. On the way, I steal a glance at the main homestead. Through the kitchen window, I can see the woman I’m madly in love with hugging her sister.
That clattering in my heart? It accelerates.
Once inside the cottage, I shut the door. Just in time—a fifty-pound black-and-white pup charges toward me in excitement. Hudson jumps up and licks my face. He smells a little like satsuma oranges.
“You want to help with my project, boy?”
He whimpers happily in agreement.
I tell him to sit. He complies, and I get to work. I’m nearly done when my phone buzzes with a text from Tyler. He’s following up on my questions about who works forNews Site Inkand, by extension,VIP Vibesthese days, and he’s found something all right.
50
TABLES TURNED
RIPLEY
Haven seems distracted. But she’s leaving tomorrow, and she’s meeting William back at her room later, so I don’t make a big deal out of her occasionally shifting her gaze around the farm.
As Chris and Vega chat in the kitchen, Haven and I amble past the Hidcote, me carrying the picnic basket and her carting a blanket. The fairy lights welcome us at the entrance to the maze, and we go inside.
“Can you imagine what it’ll be like with school kids here? Trying to find their way out? Laughing, having a blast when they reach dead ends?”
“Like we did when we first explored it.”
“So many years ago.” We were the original lavender maze wanderers. We’ve known its paths for decades, so we head to our favorite spot. Once we settle on the picnic blanket and spread out the food, I’ll ask what she thinks about me talking to Banks and whethermaybe I should return with her tonight to her hotel and find him there.
But before we can turn the corner, a voice calls out.
“Haven! Got a second?”
It’s Chris, and when we turn around, he’s jogging into the maze to meet up with us, that warm smile matching his equally warm voice. When he reaches us, he first turns to me. “Thank you again for all your hospitality. I couldn’t have done this without you. It was as profound as I’d expected.”
