Page 100 of Nothing to Deny
Thankfully, Holly saved her from the torment by appearing in their bedroom only moments after Baer departed. Dilemma diverted, though not erased for good. Her cousin was at best a distraction. She was still hyperaware that Baer was naked just a room away, so easily accessible…
“Freya!” Holly’s exclamation interrupted her daydream. “I can’t believe you really outed him like that.”
The smile on her cousin’s face was a little impressed, and maybe a little proud too.
“I didn’t. I don’t know if I meant to, I don’t know if it would’ve gone that way. Baer saved me the trouble. Anyway, she knows now. It’s out there. We can’t take it back.”
“I can’t believe it.” Holly’s wonder was emphasized by the width of her eyes and the disbelief in her tone. “And Baer just admitted…?”
“He didn’t out Donoghue, so you’re fine, your secret is safe.” Which was okay because Donoghue was a temporary deal and didn’t owe them anything. Not that Baer did, but he’d be hanging around in their lives… she hoped. “I haven’t seen or heard from Kelly since we left the bedroom last night. Do you think she’s okay? Have you heard anything?”
Like her and Baer’s room, Kelly and Nickson’s room shared a wall with their private bathroom. Holly’s room was incloser proximity though, meaning she’d be likely to overhear any drama.
“There were some raised voices,” Holly said, adjusting her shoulder on the headboard. “There was laughing too.” For the first time, Holly’s eyes narrowed. “If they were over, Kelly would’ve kicked him out. Wouldn’t she? He wouldn’t still be here.”
“Do you know for sure he is still here?”
She didn’t.
The question tickled Holly’s intrigue. “You think she kicked him out in the middle of the night?”
The time didn’t matter. Anyone could call a cab whenever. She didn’t necessarily believe Kelly ended the relationship. There would’ve been more shouting and crying, wouldn’t there? Once he was gone, Kelly would have visited her sister’s room. Ending an engagement, no matter how short, was a big deal. A monumental thing Kelly didn’t have to go through alone.
“Maybe. I don’t know. Have your parents said anything?”
“They already knew something was going on. They’re not blind.” Holly threw up her arms. “What a vacation! It’s not one we’ll forget.”
That was true. “What has Donoghue said about it?”
“He’s a guy of few words.”
“Oh, is he?” she teased. “So maybe there were fireworks in Kelly’s room, you were just deafened by your own?”
“No!” Holly laughed. “He is good at keeping me occupied.” Which was probably the only reason Holly hadn’t burst into her sister’s room in the wee hours to satisfy her curiosity. Holly wasn’t known for her patience. “I can tell you he’s curious about you and Baer.”
“Curious how?”
The last thing Baer needed was someone poking around in their business. What right did he have—okay, yes, she,the meddler, saw the irony in that affront. Maybe Roxie was contagious.
“Something Baer said about you.” Freya didn’t need a flashback to identify those words. “He’s really into you.”
She appreciated Holly’s smile with her own. “The feeling is mutual.”
“Haven’t I always said you two had chemistry up the yazoo?”
“Chemistry is easy. And…” She shrugged. “Actually, it’s just easy to be with him. In every way. I can’t remember life without him. I don’t ever want to be without him.”
“I’m happy for you both. Truman may not say the same…”
“He’ll come around. He always gives in eventually.”
Or she did. Her grandfather was usually right. Their relationship didn’t take too many hits after they butted heads on an issue. Usually because either he surrendered to whatever she wanted, or she admitted he was right and everything was reset. They weren’t too proud to concede to each other, however her grandfather did tend to hang on to his point of view just a little longer than she did.
“You’re sure?” Holly asked. “You going to make a go of it? You and Baer? For real?” Her cousin scowled. “You won’t have to pay him forever, will you? I think he’s a great guy, but you know him better than me. If this is a money thing—”
“He’s not like that. I’m sure of that.” Probably as sure as Kelly had been that her fiancé wasn’t a former gigolo. “I’m not sure how it will work out. There are things that we don’t… Agree on. Important things.”
“Things that could break you up?”
