“Harley, there’s more security just to get into the lobby than there is to get into a police station,” she retorted with a laugh. “If someone can get past all of that, they deserve the free pass to steal my shit.”
“Right,” I murmured, nodding slowly.I didn’t like that idea at all.“And why are you painting the window?”
“Don’t worry. It’s washable,” she said flippantly as she paused mid-brush stroke to study the abstract piece of art on the floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room. “You people could use some color in this building. Why do rich people like gray and white so much?”
I didn’t have an answer for that. As it was, my entire condo was gray and white—not that I had any say in that. Vivienne insisted it was theinthing, and that was that.
“Do you want me to wash it off?”
“No. It’s your space,” I told her. “I like it.”
I meant that.Truthfully, she was combating the lack of color on every level. Blankets, trinkets, art. It was everywhere. Despite being identical to the one I lived in, it felt like a home.
“Did you want something?” She went back to painting while I wandered into the living room.
“I have to go out of town for a while,” I said. “My mother fell, and I moved her into an assisted living center.”
She faltered and shifted slightly to scrutinize me. I slipped my hands in my pockets and did my best to remain casual about the whole thing. Holly had this way with reading people that sometimes made me uncomfortable. I thought I was better at hiding things, but around her, it seemed I wasn’t.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Harley,” Holly replied.
“Thank you,” I murmured because I had no idea how to explain the complex feelings I had for the situation. “But that does mean I have to go take care of her house.”
“In Wilde Bay?”
It didn’t surprise me that she knew that. She’d very likely done her research on us in the same way I’d done my research on her.
“Yes.”
“It looks like a beautiful place,” she commented.
“It is.” At its core, the place was a beautiful town. I just couldn’t move past the complicated feelings involved. “I’m hoping to be gone for a week or two, but I don’t know the state of her house other than the Sheriff said it’s a mess.”
“That’s not very promising.”
“No, it’s not.” I shook my head. All Sheriff Kramer had told me was that she hadn’t kept up with the house in a while, making it difficult to access. I didn’t have a clue how long that’d been going on, and I had no idea as to how much work it’d take to fix it up. “I know Vivienne can be… difficult at times, but she’ll be available for anything you need.”
“I think you mean bitchy,” Holly muttered under her breath. Her hand flew up, slapping over her mouth and sending paint splattering over her cheeks. Her eyes widened as she rotated slowly to face me. “I’m sorry!”
“It’s fine,” I assured her.
“No, it’s not!” she exclaimed. “You guys have been so nice to me, and that was so mean to say! I’m so sorry.”
“It’s fine,” I repeated. “She’s been called worse things, trust me.”
“You’re not going to say anything, are you?” she asked quietly.
“I won’t,” I promised. Vivienne would eat the poor girl alive for saying that, even if it was true. “Hopefully, I’ll be back soon, but she knows she’s supposed to take you to appointments and has a calendar.”
“Well, just know that I can handle them alone if she can’t make the appointments,” Holly said.Hopefully, it wouldn’t come to that, but I wouldn’t put anything past my wife.
“Just text me if you need anything while I’m gone. And don’t let anyone tell you that you have to wash your art off.” I wasn’t entirely sure if painting the windows was allowed, but I wasn’t about to stop her or let Vivienne take it from her. I made a mental note to look into the building rules, so I’d be prepared for whatever the reaction might be.
“I will! Have a safe trip,” she replied. “And try to have some fun while you’re there, Harley.”
I simply nodded because there was no way I would enjoy my time in Wilde Bay.
CHAPTER 47
