Page 46 of A Tangled Web

He pointed at Jace and a few of his fellow line cooks, who waved at the crowd from beside their masterpiece—a milk chocolate trumpet player that looked surprisingly lifelike.

“And thanks to all of you. Sedona loves you, I love you and I know we’re all sorry to see the Casa close. So, if you’ll indulge me, I would like to invite a few of my friends up here for a final birthday jam.”

The roar of approval was deafening. Dani watched as he pulled out his trumpet and a chaotic stream of people holding various instruments joined him on the stage.

Dani knew most of them. The longhaired vocalist in a leather jacket and biker boots had a yogurt shop down the street. The man with a Civil War era beard and a long hemp caftan who played the bongos was everyone’s favorite couch surfer and retired historian. Bailey’s accountant was already going to town on his didgeridoo, and the older Joan Jett look-alike playing bass was the local librarian.

The scenery and spirituality defined so much of what Sedona was for tourists—and for Liam the fishing was definitely a factor—but for her, what made this place so special was the people. They all marched to their own beat, but they did it together. Strangers looking in from the outside might not understand the music. But she did.

She belonged here. Hadn’t Will said so? And Stax?

This was where she fit. Why no place she’d lived ever felt right until now. Liam had given her this. Without knowing what it was he was doing, other than keeping her safe, he’d given her this beautiful, colorful life.

She glanced over and caught his broad-shouldered body coming toward her through the crowd and crossed her fingers that he’d want to stay with her. Not out of loyalty or some twisted sort of chivalry. But because he loved her too.

Before she could catch his eye, Jace was blocking her view. And he looked pissed off. “This party is boring,” he said tersely. “I think the four of us should head over to Laughing Coyote. Drinks on me.”

“What?” Bailey and Kaya asked at the same time.

“You never pay for drinks,” Kaya said dubiously.

“I will now.”

“I saw Liam,” Dani told him, trying to push him aside. “I need to talk to him.”

Kaya and Bailey looked out across the crowd and their expressions made Dani nervous. Kaya paled and both she and Jace had to grab Bailey’s arms to keep her from storming off in that direction.

Dani stared at all of them, knowing it was Liam they were looking at. And that they were upset for her, which could only mean one thing.

“Gillian!” Someone shouted nearby, pushing through the crowd to greet their friend. The strawberry tart slut.

“Son of a bitch,” Bailey growled. “He followed you around like a dog for a year, spent one-night boinking your brains out with Stax, and now he’s with Gillian?”

Jace looked down at her in shock. “You two finally did it? And how the fuck was Stax invited?”

“Grow up, Jace.” Kaya whacked him on the arm. “You’re missing the finer details here. Them doing it is not the point.”

“He acted like…and then he let Stax...” He swiped a hand over his face. “Son of a bitch is right. Now I have to go kick my friend’s ass without backup. Thanks, Nick.”

“No, you don’t.” Dani was shaking her head. “He doesn’t like Gillian. She isn’t his type.”

“You said she was,” Bailey reminded her.

That’s right. She had. “I appreciate the protective detail, but I think I need to see this for myself before I start writing his obituary.”

She managed to get around them and find an empty barstool to climb up on.

She was short. She’d learned to adapt.

Liam was the easiest to spot. Tall and handsome and—she grinned—oh wow, she knew that look. Poor guy.

Gillian had her arm around his waist and his was being held over her shoulder with Gillian’s other hand. Dani wanted to laugh. What kind of sob story had he bought into to get him in this situation? She had no idea, but there was no way Liam was doing this to make her jealous or out of genuine interest.

He definitely didn’t like the strawberry tart.

She was about to turn and tell her gang their outrage wasn’t necessary, when more movement in the doorway caught her attention. And just like that, her new world came crashing down.

Sal had always promised he would find her.

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