I squinted at him, and he held my gaze, resignation creasing his temples. His thumb grazing the top of my hand slowed to a stop. “Holly…”
“There’s one more detail that’s pretty interesting.” Dad waved his hands to quiet everyone down. Axel began crawling aroundon the floor, picking up the confetti while Mom smiled her approval.
“Don’t tell me. You’re going to get a beachfront condo?” Kat grinned as she eased back toward her recliner. “With rooms for all the grandkids?” She patted her stomach.
“Sign me up.” Olivia grinned as she reached up to fix her loose bun. “Me and the kids will be there faster than you can say ‘sunblock.’ ” She pointed at Kat, bossy Big Sister mode activated. “Speaking of—sunblock on babies is crucial. Organic, though.”
Kat saluted. “Add it to the list you’re making for me. Because I know you’re already doing that in your mind.”
“Probably not a beachfront condo.” Mom laughed and smoothed the front of her sweater. “As wonderful as that sounds, I think driving distance to the ocean will be sufficient.”
“The best part is, we think we’ve already found a buyer for the farm.” Dad, still standing, leaned over and planted his hands on the stool seat. His eyes twinkled as he slowly looked at all of us. Then his gaze landed on me.
I frowned. I couldn’t afford this place, especially not now. What was he talking about?
No, not me. He was looking at Nick.
Nick?
Now everyone looked at Nick, who shifted next to me, his fingers clutching mine.
“Dad, what are you talking about?” I laughed, though it sounded foreign. “Why would Nick buy our farm?”
“It’s been in the works for a bit. Nick here has a very worthy cause that your mom and I are happy to support.” Dad’s chest puffed as he smiled at Nick. “He can tell you all more about his teen camp later.”
Wait. Teen camp? Nick had mentioned a potential careerchange—but not that. Nothere.“Why didn’t you tell me?” I whispered to him. Turning our family farm into a teen camp. I mean, yeah that was noble, and maybe I could get behind it once the surprise wore off, but…why hadn’t he told me?
Nick looked at me, a glimmer of pain in his eyes, then back at Dad, who continued.
“My point is, the last few days sealed the deal for us.” Dad nodded at Nick. “He’s a good man in need of good property. It’s a win-win.”
The last few days…I tilted my head. The last few days had been when Nick and I got together. First under the guise of Operation: Jack & Sally, and then for real.
Was Dad selling Nick the farm because we were dating? No. That didn’t make any sense. I was still missing something.
“Wow. This is all great news!” Axel reached in his pockets for more confetti, but Chloe stopped him.
Kat and Olivia smiled their joy, though Olivia’s smile immediately curbed as she caught my eye, realized I wasn’t smiling.
How could I?
Reality began a cold descent in the pit of my stomach, and I pulled my hand from Nick’s. It was starting to make sense, one painful piece at a time. To get the property, Nick clearly needed to keep Dad’s approval—and if Dad knew about the prank we pulled on Ryan, that would have complicated things. And on top of that, Ryan had found out about Operation: Jack & Sally, but Nick wanted to keep the charade going.
Why?
Because our suddenly not being together would have forfeited my dad’s good opinion and the potential sale?
My stomach twisted. Then there was Nick’s urgent request to talk to me a few minutes ago. To what—backpedal his way outof this? Formulate an excuse to keep me from realizing what I was realizing at this very moment?
Too late.
All of it. Everything—too late.
He’d used me. And I’d fallen for it.
I stood abruptly, a throw pillow dropping to the floor. Humiliation flooded my chest with heat. I needed air. “Congratulations to you both.”
Nick stood and reached for my arm. “Holly, wait.”
