Page 49 of Clued in to Love
He knew about Jim?
Nothing made sense.
The room felt like all the air had been sucked out of it. She needed to get out of the ballroom—now.
Samesh was making his way toward them.
“Uh, excuse me.” Darby stood, grabbing her purse and leaving her plate and coffee untouched. “I need to go.”
Hilary glanced in Samesh’s direction and then back at Darby. “Did I say something wrong?”
Darby shook her head and stole a glance at Samesh. “No. I’m glad we could talk, and I hope you’ll be gentle with yourself.” She hurried off before Samesh could catch up with her.
He had lied.
About everything.
Their meeting wasn’t by chance. It wasn’t fate or coincidence that had brought them back together. Samesh had arranged it. He’d planned it. Had he told everyone about their past?
He had given up a job and career and sought a position in Bend. Why hadn’t he told her that from the beginning? Why had he pretended? Why had he lied?
This wasn’t fate. It was a complete farce.
TWENTY-NINE
MARISSA
“Liv, how’s it going?” Marissa greeted her cousin with a hug. “Are you the official Santa breakfast welcome committee?”
“Yep. And I have so much power.” Olivia held up a roll of red tickets. “I have more power than you can even imagine. I’m ticket sales, too.”
Marissa laughed. “How’s the breakfast going?”
“I don’t know. We’ve been checking guests in. I have thirty minutes left on my shift, and then we will work on the next challenge. It has to be pictures with Santa, right?”
“That’s why I’m here.” She gave the lobby a once-over. “You haven’t seen my teammate, Jack Frost, have you?”
“I cannot believe you’re partnered up with Mr. Graff. Did you know that half the girls in my class have a crush on him? I mean, obviously, he’s way too old, but I get it. He’s hot. What’s he like? He seems like he’d be chill.”
“He’s fine.” Marissa wasn’t about to admit that she was crushing on him, too. “It’s strictly business with us.”
“Business?” Olivia stuck out her tongue. “How old areyou? Like forty? You cannot be spending that much time with Mr. Graff and not give me the dirt. Like seriously, what’s he like?”
“He’s old and boring.” Marissa ruffled her cousin’s head. “Listen, kid. Enjoy the lush life while you can. These are the best days. You’re on the cusp of adulthood with a bunch of freedom and none of the pressure or responsibility.”
Olivia’s smile vanished. “Hey, that’s not cool. Do you remember what it was like to apply for colleges and scholarships and take like a thousand AP tests? Figure out how I’m going to pay for college, that is, if I get into any of the schools I’m applying to. Not to mention, keep up with my schoolwork and activities. I wouldn’t say this is a dream life.”
Marissa could tell that she had upset Olivia with her flippant response. “You’re right. I’m so sorry. I was just teasing, and to be honest, I’m stressed about my situation. I didn’t mean to belittle what you’re going through.” Marissa blew Olivia kisses. “Forgive me? Or just let everyone know that your cousin is an asshole.”
Olivia rolled her eyes. “You’re not. I get it. I know what you were trying to say, but I’m so frustrated right now by every other person asking me at least once a day if I’ve made a decision about college and what I’m going to do with my life. It’s so annoying.”
“Fair. I promise I will not utter another word about college.” Marissa made an X over her heart.
“What are we promising?” A familiar smoky voice sounded behind her.
Marissa could tell William was behind her without even turning around. She recognized his voice and his woodsy holiday cologne.
“Not to be anask-hole,” Marissa answered, giving Olivia a wink. “See what I did there?”
