Only You (8 page)

Two strong hands encircled her waist, lifting her up. “Put your feet in first.”

“I said I could do it,” she said, trying to sound irritated, which proved difficult when all she could think about was the fact her that shirt had lifted slightly and his left hand was on her bare skin.

“Trust me,” he said, kicking the bucket out of the way. “I would have loved nothing more than to see you attempt this on your own, but it doesn't feel right since I'm the reason you're locked out in the first place. So just lift your feet and put them through the window and I'll slide you in as gracefully as I can.”

While she would have preferred to stand her ground, but this seemed the least embarrassing route, not to mention that he was touching her. While she tried to convince herself that his touch was not a good thing, her body protested otherwise.

“Will you let me help you, Holly?” he asked, his voice low.

As her back pressed to his chest and her feet barely touched the ground, she could think of something else she'd like him to help her with. “Yes,” she said a little too breathlessly.

Then he lifted her several feet up and she gave herself a mental shake—
You're supposed to be sticking your feet through the window
.

While this option might be the most graceful, she still felt awkward as she lifted her hips to get her feet through the opening. Once her lower legs were through, he gently slid her in until she rested her butt on the windowsill. He dropped his hold but hovered close as she dipped down and slid in the rest of the way.

Holly turned around, surprised to see that he had backed up a couple of feet.

“Thanks for your help,” she said, wondering what the appropriate response was in a situation like this.

He lifted his shoulder into a half shrug. “It's the least I could do. Now that you're safe and sound, I'll head back home. If you get locked out again, I'm your guy.”

She laughed. “Thanks again.” But then she felt incredibly lame. She'd already thanked him.

He gave her a wave, then disappeared around the corner.

And suddenly she was rethinking everything.

O
n Friday morning, Holly woke up unsettled. It didn't help that her dreams had been filled with her new neighbor who'd turned out to be as nice as he was sexy—a deadly combination if she was determined to stay on the celibate route. But she reminded herself that she had far more pressing issues—like keeping her job.

She'd considered calling Nicole to fill her in on her conversation with Miranda Johansen last night, but she'd thought the news was probably better delivered in person. In the end, Holly decided to put it off until the next day. But now it
was
the next day and there was no way around it.

So she'd stopped and picked up muffins from the bakery, Nicole's favorite—lemon poppy seed—and arrived at work fifteen minutes early, in plenty of time to start a pot of hazelnut coffee. She returned to her desk and checked her e-mail, her thoughts drifting to her run-in with her next-door neighbor last night.

After he'd gone back home and she had spent the rest of the evening obsessing over every little thing he'd said and did. Just like a stupid middle-school girl.

What had happened to her?

But in the light of day, she'd decided this was all Melanie and their grandmother's fault. Holly never would have noticed him if they hadn't planted the seeds in her head. But there
was
something about him that made her want to see him again. If she did, would that be so bad?

She sent Melanie a text before she changed her mind.

I want to bring our new neighbor dinner tonight. Can you make something?

It was only nine o'clock, so Holly didn't expect an answer for at least another hour or so. She definitely didn't expect Melanie to text back immediately.

YES!

Holly's phone rang seconds later. “You must have changed your mind if you want to bring him dinner.”

“Maybe? I don't know. He brought back your dish and seemed nice enough.” She decided to spare her pride and keep getting locked out to herself. “By bringing him dinner, I can snoop a bit. I'm curious about his house.”

“His house?” She snorted. “Snooping is more my forte than yours.”

Holly laughed. “Maybe you're rubbing off on me.”

“One can only hope, but I doubt it. You like him. There's no reason to be ashamed of it.”

“Okay, maybe I am a tiny bit interested. …”

“I knew it! Don't worry. I'll make him something good. Something to warm him up. Something to get his engine going.”

Holly laughed even as a blush rose to her cheeks. “Slow down, there. Instead of making something high-octane, maybe stick to something cool. I'm pretty sure that house is still un-air-conditioned.”

“Good thinking.”

Holly hung up, and moments later her boss walked through the door.

“How was your evening?” Holly asked, looking up from her computer.

“It was interesting.” Nicole sat in her chair and put her purse into the bottom desk drawer, not bothering to look at her.

This wasn't a good sign. “Was the Henry party as bad as you thought it would be? Were you right about them using frozen appetizers?”

Nicole bit her lower lip, hesitating for several seconds, and it was clear she was fighting the urge to spill the details. Her love of gossip won out and she spun around to face Holly. “It was beyond tacky.”

“Did they really have a mariachi band?”

“Yes! Can you believe it?” Nicole's face lit up as she told Holly all about the party, describing how the organizers got it all wrong.

Holly let her talk for several moments, dreading breaking the news about the Johansen wedding to her boss. This was the Nicole who had hired her—the friendly woman who had promised to teach her the ropes, but who had become progressively standoffish the more Holly learned and grew. When Nicole had finished her story, Holly said in a cheery voice, “I brought you a surprise.”

“Oh?” Nicole looked genuinely shocked.

“I'll be right back.” Holly disappeared into the back and returned with a small tray that held a cup of coffee prepared the way Nicole liked it—one tablespoon of hazelnut creamer—and a small plate with the muffin. She set them on her boss's desk, then stepped back and smiled. “This is to help make your morning better after yesterday.”

Surprise filled Nicole's eyes before she took a sip of the coffee. “Oh, this is lovely. Thank you.”

Holly returned to her seat, then took a deep breath. “Miranda Johansen called me yesterday afternoon after you left.”

Nicole's eyebrows shot into her hairline. “What?”

“She said they met with the designers at Tender Moments and, while Coraline loved them, Miranda worried they were
too
agreeable.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means that Miranda Johansen wants to hire Distinctive Events to plan her daughter's wedding.”

“Distinctive Events or you?” Nicole asked, her tone short.

“I'm your employee, Nicole. My clients are ultimately yours. Besides, I tried to suggest that you be the lead planner, but Miranda insisted I take charge.”

“I'm sure you worked
very
hard at trying to convince her.” Sarcasm bled through her boss's words, filling Holly with disappointment. She missed the woman who had hired her.

Holly took a breath. “Honestly, Nicole, I don't want to do this wedding. In fact, I told Coraline I wouldn't be a good fit. But Miranda said that was the reason she decided to hire me. Because I wouldn't kowtow to her daughter.”

“That's ridiculous! Our job is to give the client what she wants!” Nicole sputtered in disbelief.

“There's something else you should know.” This was sure to tick her off even more. “
Modern Bride
magazine is doing a ten-page feature on the wedding.”

“
What?
”

“Miranda's concerned that any additional changes by her daughter will produce embarrassing results. She wants me to come up with a plan and stick to it.”

Nicole looked skeptical.

“I asked her what kept Coraline from firing me, and Miranda said she was drawing up a contract stating that I can't be fired, but I can't quit, either. However, once we decide on a plan, what I say goes.” Nicole remained silent, but she seemed more interested. “She also said she would be quite generous with the fees. And that her budget amount is ‘obscene.'”

Nicole's mouth pursed. “I think maybe we can work with this.”

Holly couldn't help smiling, although she was pretty sure this was a fool's endeavor. “Miranda said she would send a contract this morning and she wants us to come to her house this afternoon to discuss the plans.”

Her eyes widened. “We? I'm sure she asked for you.”

“I may be planning the wedding, but she's hiring
Distinctive Events
. This is a huge win for the company, Nicole. I think you should be part of this.”

Nicole's back stiffened. “No, Holly. She wants
you
.”

“I would still feel better if you sat in on the first meeting.” That was only a partial truth. It was more to cover her butt should things go south later, which had a very strong possibility of happening. But it also might appease her boss if she was part of the planning. Holly would have enough stress dealing with the difficult client without adding a difficult boss. “You're an expert at dealing with clientele. And, if nothing else, your presence shows that the wedding has the attention of the complete company team.”

“Well…I see your point when you put it that way. …” She took a sip of her coffee. “Has she sent the contract yet?”

“There was nothing when I checked five minutes ago, but let me look again.” Holly spun around and checked her e-mail files. “It showed up a couple of minutes ago. Would you like me to forward it to you?”

“Yes. I'll have one of Megan's friends go over the contract for me.” She picked up the phone and made a call. “This is Nicole Vandemeer calling for Blair Hansen-Lowry and it's time sensitive. Is she available?” She paused. “Thank you. I'll hold.”

Nicole opened her e-mail and the file, scanning the screen as she waited.

“Blair? No, not to worry. Megan and the baby are fine.” Nicole's voice softened. “I need you to go over a contract for me. …Yes, I know you're a divorce attorney, but surely you can look this over. …Yes, that's doable. I'll send it right away. And is there any chance you can look it over before noon? I realize that's only a few hours away. Did I mention that I currently have you in charge of a game at Megan's baby shower tomorrow?
But
I can switch it to Libby.” A wicked smile lit up her eyes. “Very good. I look forward to hearing back from you.” She hung up and looked over her shoulder at Holly. “She was hesitant, but agreed to glance it over, and if it's too complicated she'll recommend someone else to review it.”

Holly had to appreciate the way Nicole could get people to do what she wanted, and the mention of the shower reminded her that Nicole had been driving herself crazy getting ready for her daughter's party. “How are things going with the shower planning?”

“Everything is in place, but Megan still stubbornly refuses to tell me the sex of the baby.”

“Maybe she doesn't know yet.”

“She
claims
she and Josh don't want to know, but I'm sure they are doing this to spite me. I'm certain she told my mother, but she swears she doesn't know, either. I wouldn't put it past Megan and my mother to use this against me in some kind of prank at the shower.”

Holly had gotten to know Megan since she'd moved back from Seattle, and Holly had recognized that she had a mischievous spirit. And as for Gram—as everyone called Nicole's mother—Holly had met her, too. Nicole's paranoid concern wasn't outside the realm of possibility.

“I wanted to announce the baby's sex at the shower. Many of her friends will be there, as well as her aunts and cousins.”

“And some of your friends.”

“Well, yes…”

Nicole seemed flustered by her statement, although Holly wasn't sure why. She hadn't hidden the fact that she'd planned her daughter's shower during her second trimester purely to host it in her recently updated backyard. It was the perfect opportunity to sign on more clients. Still, maybe Holly could use this to her advantage.

“It would have been great to make a big production of announcing the baby's gender.” The fact that Nicole had some really great ideas had never been in question. That was part of the appeal of working with her.

Nicole turned around to look at her, seemingly surprised to have a coconspirator. “
Yes!
That's what I've told Megan.” Her face lit up. “Why don't you talk to her?”

“Me?”

“You know each other. Maybe you can convince her to give up this foolishness.”

“But…” Was she insane? “You want me to just call her and ask her if she's having a boy or girl? I haven't talked to her in over a month.”

“Of course not. Warm her up with something else first. Tell her what you'll be wearing tomorrow.”

Holly froze. “Why would Megan care what I'm wearing tomorrow?”

“So she can tell you if it clashes with her outfit.” A smile spread across Nicole's face. “I need you to help at the shower tomorrow.”

Holly stared at her in disbelief.

“Millie Leopold will be there and I know for a fact she's planning a huge engagement party for her daughter. We need to impress her.”

“But this is Megan's baby shower.”

Nicole rolled her eyes. “Yes, I know. And if you can find out the baby's gender by three, I can make sure the cupcakes coordinate.”

She was serious. But she was also in a slightly better mood. This was a way for Holly to earn her way back into Nicole's good graces. Besides, it wasn't like Nicole was going to give her the option of saying no.

“Okay,” Holly said, knowing there was no way to get the baby's sex out of Megan but she'd at least make an effort.

“Perfect!” Nicole clasped her hands together. “Distinctive Events has scored the wedding of the year.” She paused and took a sip of her coffee. “Things are definitely going my way.”