Page 79 of Nothing to Deny
“We didn’t know Kelly’s new guy was Squires too. Not until we arrived. We were in the parking lot and… They could blow the whole thing out of the water. If he tells Kelly that mine and Holly’s guys are from Squires, my aunt and uncle could find out. It’s exactly what we don’t need people whispering about.”
Though whispering was best-case scenario. It was a much larger confrontation she feared.
“And if they find out, so what?”
Trust Roxie to have a different perspective.
“If they find out, how long do you think it will take to get back to Truman?”
“Is that what you’re worried about?” Roxie asked. “Are your aunt and Truman best buds?”
“If this works out, at some point, I have to tell Truman the truth. Honestly, right now? I’m more worried about Holly. It’s different for me, being here. Even if the whole truth comes out, I still have Baer’s support. She doesn’t have that same support structure to rely on. And, let’s face it, the Pivens aren’t in mylife enough for it to really matter if they judge me.” Truman on the other hand… “If they find out, there may be outrage, upset, I don’t know. I can’t predict how it will play out. If the worst comes to the worst, Baer and I can leave.”
“You’re worried what effect it will have on Holly’s life.”
“This is her sibling. Her parents. I don’t know if I can support her on my own. If I’ll be enough. Will they ridicule and judge her for this forever?”
“If they ridicule and judge her, they have to ridicule and judge Kelly too.” And if it turned out Kelly hadn’t paid Nickson? Did his previous line of work doom him to ridicule forever? “Don’t forget this was Holly’s idea,” Roxie said, more conciliatory than teasing. “You did try to warn her. Whatever happens, it’s not your fault. People are responsible for their own actions. But back up a step, if Kelly’s fiancé is Squires too, is he being paid to be there? Why would she do that? He isn’t being paid to marry her, is he? To hire a guy for life would take Truman money. Though, it’s not a bad idea… hmm…” Her friend pondered. “Wouldn’t be so bad to have a guy who’d always do what he was told.”
“I haven’t got to the bottom of it.” Not that she planned to do the digging, Baer should have answers. Please say he had answers. If he didn’t, she may not sleep a wink. “Kelly wouldn’t have made up a fiancé, knowing the wedding would never happen. My aunt’s already talking about the dress and flowers. God, this is going to be a disaster.”
“So you think the relationship’s real? No reason they couldn’t have met and fallen in love like anyone else. And, hey, it’s hope. If she can marry her Squires man, so can you.”
In some far-off distant future. Right now she just needed information. Her own relationship with Baer was taking a backseat. Her cousins’ men were the more pressing issue.
“But if Kelly knows the truth, we’re keeping each other’s secrets. This isn’t me and Holly covering for each other, it’s out of her control. One thing goes wrong, one word said out of turn, and everything comes crashing down.”
“It’s okay, honey. Just take a breath. You’ve already said it yourself, you have Baer. He is all you need. Just because I never met him doesn’t mean I doubt his integrity. You wouldn’t have picked him if he was a bad guy. And for the sake of this argument, we’re assuming Chapman was temporary insanity. The whole cop thing blinded you for a second. You thought it meant good guy, you’ll never make that mistake again.”
“No…” She sighed. “I won’t.”
“I trust your judgment. Baer does too, or he wouldn’t be there. Like you said, don’t forget, nothing in your life changes if they find out the truth. The judgment of these people doesn’t matter. If it gets too much, tell your family I’m having a meltdown and get yourself on a plane. Walk away and appreciate your guy. He’ll take your mind off things.”
“And if Truman finds out…?”
“Forget about that. That’s next week’s problem. And don’t worry, I’ll split the gold with you if he disinherits you in favor of me.”
Oh, Roxie. This is why so many people relied on her for support. Her optimism, her charm, Roxie’s acceptance gave her hope.
Relaxing, her eyes opened again. “Thank you.”
“It’s what I’m here for. And if you need me and Zairn to just happen upon you…”
She laughed. “At non-five-star, fend for yourself, apartments?”
“We do non-five-star sometimes.”
She scoffed, amused by her friend. “Oh, yeah, when?”
“Uh… In Chicago. My apartment isn’t five-star.”
“Doesn’t one of the guys own that now?”
“One of them owns the building, but that’s nothing to do with me.”
“Except they wouldn’t have known it existed if it wasn’t for you. Don’t you have an entire security team there? Assistants bringing you anything you need?”
“We have that everywhere.”
