Page 65 of Holiday Hook Up

Chapter 15

Does handingAdam an inscribed wedding band presumably from him to me constitute going slow?Bethany asked herself while inspecting the inside of the ring one last time.

What kind of game was Mary playing with her? Obviously, she must have been lurking downstairs to hear the private joke between Bethany and Adam about “this life,” right? Bethany set the ring down next the cash register. Do ghosts lurk? It was all way too creepy.

She’d had a lot of explaining to do once everyone had gotten a look at the wedding band. Caitlin, of course, wanted to know again if Bethany and Adam were fooling around. Luckily, Abby had stepped in, immediately feigned a migraine, and asked Brandon if they could leave. Since Bethany’s cottage was only a few doors down from theirs, Abby had said it would be no problem to drop her off, ushering Bethany out of the guest room before she could even say her good-byes.

When Adam didn’t text her like he said he would, she assumed that he was still dealing with the emergency. She’d made some chamomile tea and drifted to sleep, dreaming about his arms around her once again.

She’d been relieved to hear that he was okay with taking things slow between them. They’d do this right and not jeopardize their friendship. When they finally got together, it was going to be perfect. She picked up the ring and waved it in the air. “You hear that, Mary, it’s going to be perfect on our timeline, not yours.”

Danny had stopped in earlier—per usual—but this time without his dolly. His hands had been empty, too. She’d nearly thrown her arms around him at that sight. Maybe Mary was done with her shenanigans.

For some reason, Bethany doubted it. Mary had simply found another portal in the hope chest.

Just then, the front door opened and Will stepped in. “Oh, good. You’re still open.” He crossed the store and stopped in front of the cash register.

“Hey, Will. What brings you by tonight?”

“You didn’t look like you were too busy, so I thought I’d pop in.”

Hmmm . . . Will wasn’t exactly a customer that “popped in.” She reached behind her for her carafe and a paper cup, pouring him some of her Kahlúa caramel hot chocolate that she’d made for the evening crowd. “It’s good to see you.” Handing it to him, she couldn’t help but gaze from head to toe. “Look at you, all dressed up.”

Will smiled and pressed his hand to his suit jacket. “Pretty different than my work overalls, huh?”

“Yeah.” And he was clean shaven, too, his musky cologne smelled amazing. Was this Rachel’s influence? “What’s the occasion?”

“My mom’s shop. I’m running it. I was working in there all day.”

“What?” She paused to let that compute. “You’re running your mom’s wedding dress shop?”

“Well, technically, we also sell formal gowns and semi-formal dresses.”

“I stand corrected.”

“Crazy, huh? I don’t know if you’ve heard the news. My dad fell down the stairs at my parents’ condo and broke his leg on Christmas.”

Bethany put her hand to her mouth. “Oh, my goodness. I hadn’t heard. I’m so sorry.”

“He’ll be fine. Mom’s going to be in Florida for a few weeks, though. She wanted to see about bringing my dad back here, but he’s got everything he needs in their condo and great doctors. Plus, the sunshine will be better for him than trying to recuperate in this cold.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “So, I’m stepping in. I’ve got enough help at the body shop, and things are a bit slow this time of year. They won’t miss me.”

“Wow.” She grinned. “You’ll be working no doubt with Rachel then.”

He gave a close-lipped smile. “Why do you say that?”

“She and Marilyn coordinate dresses and flowers all the time.”

“I didn’t know,” he said, and Bethany caught the flatness in his tone.

Were Rachel and Will over already? It wasn’t like she’d ask him, but even if she wanted to continue the conversation, she couldn’t because Rachel walked in.

“Will,” Rachel said coolly, stopping short of the counter.

“Rachel.” He nodded. When she didn’t say a word, he started to leave. “See you around the block, Bethany.”

“Bye, Will.” Bethany waved and then turned to her friend. “What is going on between you two?”

“What? I said hello.”

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