Holiday in Danger (43 page)

“You’re welcome. It’s long overdue. I should have trusted her more to make her own choices. She might not be following the path I’d envisioned, but she’s happy. That’s more important.”

Blake was dumbstruck. “Why now? Why the change?”

Jane smiled and her whole face lit up. Gone was the stern, graying woman with ice in her veins. In her place was a woman Blake would be happy to know. “Let’s just say I had some encouragement. It’s been lovely speaking with you, Blake. I hope to see you again. Soon.”

Summer’s mother turned toward the stairs without another word. Blake watched her walk away and the last weight he’d carried—the last corner of guilt over his relationship with Summer—crumbled away. If her mother approved, there was no stopping them.

He glanced at his watch. Ten minutes until opening. He had just enough time.

* * *

SUMMER

Summer took one last look in the mirror. Makeup done. Shoes picked out. Dress chosen. All she had to do now was not have a panic attack. Remember to breathe.

The door opened and she glanced up. “Mom?”

“Hi, honey.”

“What are you doing here?” Summer stood up as her mom walked into the room. She was dressed in a breezy silk dress in the colors of the sunset—lush reds and yellows and burnt orange. Sandals on her feet. So…carefree. Loose. Nothing like her mother.

“I came for you, dear. I wouldn’t miss your grand opening.”

Summer blinked. “Really?”

“Mm-hmm.” Her mom walked in and pointed at the couch. “Can we sit for a minute? Have a chat?”

Summer glanced at her watch. “Sure. I’ve got a minute.”

She sat down on the white cushion and her mom sat next to her. As Summer got comfortable, her mom set her purse down and turned to her.

“Summer, I need to apologize to you.”

“You what?”

The corners of her mouth turned up. “I’m sorry, honey. I’m sorry that I pushed you into a life you didn’t want.”

Summer swallowed. “You are?”

Her mother nodded. “I see now that you’re meant to be right here in Midnight Cove. Blake and Devin—they love you. The way they look at you across the room. The way Blake can’t stop checking on your paintings upstairs like they’re his children. They’re head over heels for you and I’ve been telling you for years to stay away. I was wrong.” She reached out and squeezed Summer’s hand. “I’m sorry I’ve caused you pain.”

Summer choked on a sob. “Oh, Mom. I don’t—I can’t—”

“Shh. It’s okay. Don’t go crying now. You’ll ruin your makeup.” Her mother fished a tissue out of her clutch and Summer tried to laugh.

She took the tissue and blotted at her eyes. “Thanks, Mom.”

Her mother clicked her bag shut and stood up. “Come. You have a gallery to open.”

Summer stood up and let her mom lead her from the room. She’d been on cloud nine before—excited and ready for opening night—but now? Now she floated. On happiness and joy and possibility.

They walked into the gallery and Summer turned to her mother. “What do you think?”

“The gallery?” Her mother glanced around. “It’s a beautiful space.”

Summer pressed her lips together. “My art. What do you think about the exhibit?”

“Oh!” Her mother turned and her eyes shimmered. “Your art is spectacular, Summer. It’s like a whole room of windows into your soul. You couldn’t ask for a better opening show.”

Summer nodded but couldn’t speak. She didn’t trust her voice not to crack. She soaked up the water in her eyes with the tissue and smiled. “I love you, Mom.”

“I love you, too. Summer.”

“Hey! So this is a public opening, right? I didn’t get an invite by mistake, did I?”

Summer turned toward the door and smiled. “Hi, Richard. Of course you’re invited.”

“Good thing. Devin tells me Ian’s new joint catered. I’ve been dying to try their food.”

“Oh, Richard. Leave the restaurant stuff alone for one night.” Mandy popped out from behind her husband and scampered over to Summer.

“The place looks great!” She wrapped Summer up in a whopping hug and the pair teetered in their heels.

“No knocking over the star of the show!” Blake walked up and Mandy let Summer go.

“Sorry!”

Summer laughed as more and more people filtered in. Richard’s brother, Donny. Ian. New friends and old faces. A shock of pink hair stood out in the crowd and Summer grinned.

She eased her way through the bodies and found Felicia standing in front of a small abstract. “I’m so glad you could come.”

The nail tech turned to her with a smile. “I wouldn’t miss it! You outdid yourself. Everything’s beautiful.”

“You should be thanking Blake and Devin. They did all the work. I just got in their way and splashed paint everywhere.”

Felicia laughed. “So that’s going well? You’re happy?”

Summer nodded. “Really happy.”

“I can tell. You’re so radiant, I bet if we turned the lights off, you’d glow.” Felicia turned back to the painting and groaned. “God. Why can’t I find two surfers who want to make me glow like that?”

“Maybe you can? A whole bunch should be here tonight. Blake and Devin made them promise.”

Felicia clapped her hands. “Goody. That calls for champagne.” She excused herself and headed toward the bar.

It was more than Summer could have ever hoped for. Her friends. Her mom. Blake and Devin. All there to celebrate with her. It was the exact opposite of her life in New York. Gone were the lonely nights and cold days. Her life was rich and full. She couldn’t want anything more.

“Hey, everyone’s here.” Devin’s voice purred in her ear.

“Thanks.”

His hands slipped around her waist. “You think we can drag you outside for a minute? Blake and I have a surprise.”

“Another one?” Summer turned around in his arms. “Isn’t the gallery enough?”

“It’ll only take a minute.”

“Okay.”

Summer let Devin lead her by the hand through the studio space and out to the small deck on the back of the house. Little lights had been strung up along the railing and pots full of flowers were tucked in every corner.

The door clicked shut and gone were the noises of the party and all her guests. All she could hear was the sound of the ocean and her own beating heart.

Blake stepped out of the shadows with a smile. “So Devin convinced you to sneak out here?”

Summer smiled. “He told me you planned another surprise. You didn’t have to, you know. This is…” Summer glanced at Devin and then back at Blake, “way more that enough.”

“We thought there was something missing.”

She shook her head. “What?”

“This.” Blake pulled his hand out of his pocket and Summer’s mouth fell open.

She stared at his open hand and reached for Devin. “That’s not…”

“It is.” Devin stepped over next to Blake. “We love you, Summer. Will you do us the honor?”

Blake leaned down until he caught her eye. “Marry us?”

Summer took another look at the diamond ring sitting in his palm. A million tiny facets picked up the lights and sparkled like a flame. She held out a shaky hand. “Yes. I will.”

Devin took her hand and stilled it as Blake slipped the ring on. Summer wiggled her fingers and smiled. They were right. Something had been missing.

She reached out and wrapped one arm around each man. “This is completely insane, but I know it’s right.”

Devin reached for her chin and tipped her face up to his. His lips pressed soft and gentle against hers before pulling away. “I can’t wait to marry you.”

Summer smiled and Blake tugged at her arm. “Neither can I.” His lips melted into hers and Summer could have burst in happiness.

As Blake pulled back, the door to the deck swung open. “There you are! I thought I was going to have to run this whole party by my—Oh my God! Did you do it?” Mandy jumped up and down. “You did! Tell me you said yes. You said yes, right?”

Summer and her two fiancés burst out laughing. She held out her hand and Mandy squealed.

“I knew it! Congratulations! Oh my God, just wait ’til I tell Ian and Richard. The Inn will be perfect!” Mandy grabbed Summer by the arm and she stumbled after her best friend.

“Mandy, I don’t think we—” Summer turned back to Blake and Devin, but both men were too busy laughing to save her.

Blake waved her on. “It’s okay. We’re right behind you.”

Mandy kept talking and Summer let her pull her back into the waiting crowd and a round of applause. She glanced down at her engagement ring and smiled. It might have taken her best friend’s wedding to bring her back to Midnight Cove, but it was her second chance at love that made her stay.

I hope you enjoyed the first two books in the
Midnight Cove Ménage
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Originally a California native, I traded coasts after college—swapping coastal breezes and year-round flip-flops for the summer rainstorms of the Southeast—and never looked back. When I’m not heating up the Southern nights with my erotic romances, I’m reading everything from true crime to historical fiction, with the occasional zombie thrown in.

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