Needing an excuse to breathe, I carried my empty plate into the kitchen.
“What’s wrong?” Caleb asked, eyebrows drawn together.
I was about to answer when Eleanor walked in behind me.
“Nyah,” she said brightly. “Dear, you hardly ate. Let me serve you some more.”
I blinked, stunned by the sudden shift. “I’m… I’m actually full,” I said, startled by my own hesitation.Whoa—what a change!“Thank you, though.”
Her timing and her chameleon-like switch made me decide not to say anything to Caleb just yet. I only had to endure his mother for another day. There was no point in creating tension during a temporary stay. Besides, the party in the evening would make it easier to avoidher altogether.
The evening gatheringwas informal as Caleb’s extended family arrived. When twilight descended, a few close friends joined as well—Rupert and Susan Sears, along with their daughters, Caroline and Serena.
Caroline Sears walked straight up to Caleb and kissed him on the cheek. “Hi, sweetheart. It’s good to see you after such a long time.”
Something inside me twisted. I didn’t know exactly what it was, but I didn’t like it.
Caroline was stunning with golden hair and blue eyes that sparkled like diamonds. She looked like she’d stepped straight out of a magazine—exactly his type.
Was this the same Caroline I’d heard about at Greg’s barbecue?
Almost immediately, Eleanor appeared. “Caroline, darling! How are you?” Then she turned to Caleb. “I’m sure you two have so much to catch up on.”
Her gaze shifted—and locked onto me. She walked toward me with measured purpose, each step unhurried, calculated.
Before I could react, her fingers curled around my arm. “Come, Nyah.”
She steered me a few steps away, just far enough that their voices softened behind us. I didn’t need to turn to know she had left Caleb and Caroline alone.
Then, as if the moment had been carefully measured, she pivoted back toward them—pulling me along.
“Nyah,” she said sweetly, though her grip firmed, “I’d like to introduce you to someone.”
My focus snapped forward.
“Nyah, this is Caroline—a good friend of Caleb’s.” The pride in her voice was unmistakable. “Caroline,” Eleanor continued coolly, “this is Nyah. She works in our hotel.”
I knew exactly what she meant bygood friend. I also knew exactly what she was trying to do—and I refused to give her the satisfaction.
“Soyou’rethe one responsible for the turnaround of the hotel?”Caroline asked warmly, shaking my hand. “Randall’s told us about you. I’m impressed with what you’ve done. I was there not long ago.”
“Thank you,” I said sincerely. “I really appreciate it.”
“Caleb’s parents came over the other night,” Caroline added, plucking a glass of champagne from a passing tray and taking a sip. “Between all the business talk, Caleb managed to become a topic of discussion too.” She winked at him. “Sounds like you’ve been doing quite well for yourself at headquarters.”
“I’m learning the ropes and enjoying it,” Caleb replied with a small smile. “Would you excuse us for a moment?”
Caroline shook my hand warmly. “It was lovely meeting you. I’d love to chat some more later… when you’re free.”
I nodded, returning her smile.
I liked Caroline. I made a mental note to find her again later.
Caleb guided me down the hallway, his hand warm at the small of my back. We turned the corner and passed through two massive wooden doors.
The library.
Books rose from floor to ceiling along every wall, their spines dark and worn, as if they had absorbed decades of secrets. A fire burned low in the hearth, casting amber light across two deep couches and the polished wood beneath our feet. The room felt isolated from the rest of the house.
