Page 75 of Holiday Hook Up

Chapter 17

Adam boltedinto the Majestic Theater, pushing his way through the crowded lobby. The place was jam-packed with all the Holiday Hook Ups and other guests.

He stopped at the edge of the dance floor that had been set up in the refreshment area, a stray silver balloon brushing his shoulder. Looping the string around his finger for a second, he released it and watched it float up to join the rest of the bunch on the ceiling.

Caitlin had done a spectacular job transforming the theater into the biggest party of the year. Good for her. She’d worked hard this fall to reopen the theater and deserved to be in the spotlight.

“Happy New Year!”

Speak of the devil. Caitlin came up and threw her arms around him, blowing a silver horn that happened to match her silver sequined mini-dress. “And many happy returns.”

He covered his ear. “Back at you. Caitlin, this place looks amazing,” he shouted over the festive music.

“Thanks. Josh, Bridget, and I’ve been working on it all week.”

He hadn’t seen his sister-in-law since Christmas, or his brother for that matter. “Are Tom and Bridget here right now?”

She nodded toward the auditorium. “They’re in there,” she said, and flashed a wicked grin. “Someone else is in there, too, but good luck finding her. We set up another dance floor in the auditorium. It’s a madhouse.”

He could feel his heart beating against his chest as he glanced over the crowd in the direction of the auditorium. Just how many people were here? Clearly the word had spread to other area towns that this was the place to be to ring in the New Year.

“Go on.” Caitlin gave him a gentle nudge.

That’s all the encouragement he needed. He zigzagged through the crowded corridor and flung the auditorium doors open, nearly scaring the couple standing in front of it.

“Sorry. Sorry.” He stepped in expecting to see Bethany, but the entire auditorium was packed with partygoers hanging out in the aisles and dancing on the stage. Caitlin was right. He’d never find her.

Where could she be? Frustrated, he walked back up the aisle and out into the auditorium. Did everyone in Central New York decide to come out for this bash? It sure seemed so. He’d never find her. Defeated, he walked back down the corridor but stopped short of the picture on the wall of Mary.

“Happy New Year, Mary, doll.” He didn’t expect the picture to talk back to him, but he kept his side of the conversation going. “Listen. I could really use your hocus pocus right about now. See, there’s this girl I really need to see tonight. I need to apologize and tell her that I was an idiot for some things I said. I know. I know. You’re probably not surprised that I stuck my foot in my mouth. I need to say I’m sorry.” He took a deep breath, ready to say out loud what he was feeling. “And I want to tell her right now that I’m falling in love with her.”

That admission caused a rush of exhilaration to shoot straight through him. He continued, “The thing is. This place is so crowded I can’t find her. Can you have her walk out of the auditorium?” he asked the black-and-white photo.

Turning his back to the wall, he watched the merriment all around him while waiting for Bethany to come out the auditorium doors. Thirty minutes later, she still hadn’t come out.

“I can’t believe I asked a ghost for help,” he said out loud, shaking his head. He dug around his coat for his truck keys. It was probably best to call it a night.

All of a sudden, the auditorium doors flew open as guests scrambled down the corridor. Tom and Bridget were among the first to flee, his sister-in-law pushing back her wet bangs.

Adam eyed his brother whose white shirt was completely soaked. “What’s going on in there? Why are you both wet?”

“Sprinklers are going off. It’s a madhouse.” Tom turned to his wife and wiped some water from her face with his finger. “Let’s get you out of here before we get trampled.”

“Happy New Year, Adam.” Bridget blew him a kiss as Tom escorted her out.

Adam stood stunned for a few seconds, taking in the chaos as couples rushed out of the auditorium. He glanced behind him at Mary’s photo and walked over.

Could she have set off the sprinklers?It wouldn’t be the first time. She’d set them off to get Josh and Caitlin’s attention a few months ago. “Thank you, Mary. I think I can take it from here.” The sprinklers stopped suddenly, and he dashed into the auditorium. It had all but cleared out, but Bethany wasn’t among the few remaining.

“LB, where are you?” he said in a low voice. Walking down the aisle, he stopped five rows up and stared down at the seat that had been Mary’s while her spirit haunted the theater for all those years. Something strange was hanging off the back. “What the—”

He snatched it, holding up a wet blonde wig. A vision of the mystery blonde popped into his head.

No. It couldn’t be. Could it?

He smiled, realizing Mary was right all along. Tonight wouldn’t be his first kiss with Bethany. He just needed to find her.

Bethany flung openthe side door and stepped into the alley. She glanced down at the wet dress clinging to her skin—Mary’s ruined wedding dress.

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