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“Are you okay?” Tab asked.
Sabrina smiled. “Fine. He was very nice. Now he’s just disappeared.”
“I think he wanted to take away the draw so the press would stop bothering people,” Tab said.
“They’re still out there. I’ll have a word with them,” Sean said.
Sabrina walked out front before Sean had the chance. It was technically Tabitha’s gallery but Tabitha would probably say something a bit rude.
The flashes of cameras lit up the night as she stood in front of the gallery.
“Good evening. I’m sure some of you are new to Nantucket so welcome. You may be here for celebrity photos but you’re very welcome to come inside and meet some of local artists,” Sabrina said.
“Is it true you dated Jason? How long were you together? Who chose to end it?” asked a random reporter.
Sabrina smiled. “We met through our mutual love of art when I was traveling in Europe. He happened to come to the island last summer. We spent some time together. Dating might be a bit generous a term. He has a demanding schedule for work, of course. He’s a friend of my sister’s fiancé and will be here for wedding events.”
“Will you be standing up with Jason?” another reporter asked.
“I will. I’m the maid of honor and he’s the best man. It’s going to be a lovely wedding but a private affair,” Sabrina replied. “I have to get back but you are all welcome inside as long as you ask before you take pictures and are nice to our guests.”
She returned and gave Sean a shrug. A few photographer followed her quickly, cameras down. They began interviewing people.
Mom walked over. “Sabrina, what are you doing?”
“Getting more exposure for the gallery and my art. What’s the harm?” Sabrina asked.
“Veronica is gone. So are Chris and Jason,” Mom said.
“I’m sure Chris is looking after Veronica. Jason doesn’t need to stay here all night. I need to mingle,” Sabrina said.
“Mrs. Buxton, may I ask you something?” asked an eager young woman.
“I suppose.” The gorgeously dressed Buxton matron pasted on her best socialite smile.
“Your daughter’s wedding is being talked about as the event of the year. Jason Carlton is the best man. Are there many events leading up to the big day?”
Mom nodded. “There will be an engagement party. That’s all for official events. Rehearsal dinners are always very private affairs.”
“Of course. Any hints on your dress?” the reporter fawned.
Sabrina stayed within earshot to keep an eye on her mother and make sure she wasn’t flattered into giving up details.
As they cleaned up a couple hours later, Sabrina watched Sean and Tab flirting.
“You can finish this up tomorrow,” Sean said.
“He’s right. The caterers did all the food and stuff. It’s just packaging for shipping what was sold. The rest we can hang for a bit. Go on, have a late dinner date,” Sab told her twin.
“I’m worried about Veronica,” Tabitha said. “Chris texted he’s got it handled but she’s so out of control.”
“Go have some fun. I’m beat,” Sab said.
Tab hesitated.
Mer came out from the back room. “I’m going to sleep. Good tonight.”
“You staying here?” Sean asked.
“I could. There’s always a room at my aunt’s but I can crash on Sabrina’s couch,” Mer said.
“Why would you do that? I don’t need a babysitter,” Sab said.
Mer shrugged. “I don’t want to hear your mom’s recap of the evening. Consider it a sleepover. Though I might actually fall asleep.”
“Fine, there. I have a babysitter. You can go,” Sab told her twin.
“You don’t need one. But company isn’t a bad thing.” Tabitha grabbed her purse. “See you later.”
Sean mouthed thank you.
Sabrina waved and locked the door behind them. “I have some ice cream in the freezer upstairs.”
“Sold. I’ll lock the back door and meet you up there,” Mer said with a yawn.
Sabrina checked her phone. No texts from Veronica or Jason. Chris had probably texted Sean and he’d told Tabitha. Men liked to handle things and while it was sweet sometimes, she was Veronica’s sister and should be included.
When Mer came up they sat on the couch and ate ice cream until the sugar rush took over. They’d had plenty of food and drink at the event but the desserts had gone quicker than expected.
“Jason is still really into you,” Mer said.
“Don’t.” Sab pointed her spoon at Mer. “We’re trying to be friends. He’s being nice to not look like a jerk. You saw all the press.”
“Yeah, maybe. I just wish I had chemistry like that with someone,” Mer admitted.
“I wish I knew someone to fix you up with.” Sabrina hugged her cousin.
Mer laughed. “Don’t get weepy. You’re lucky. Too bad he’s an actor and doesn’t see what he’s missing out on.”
“The right guy will turn up for both of us.” Sabrina tossed the empty ice cream pints in the trash and the spoons in the sink. “We’re going to crash on this sugar so I’m going to brush my teeth and wash my face. I’ll find you a toothbrush.”
“One night won’t kill me,” Mer said.
“Rebel.” Sabrina laughed.
Mer checked her phone. “Nothing from Chris.”
Sab nodded. “Toothbrush plus stuff to make up the couch.”
Jason and Chris had followed Veronica around to beach parties when the bars started to refuse her drinks. She kept mocking and yelling at them but it kept the creepy guys away.
The silence between them was starting to drive Jason nuts.
“I really wanted us to be friends,” Jason said.
“My sister will probably forgive you. She’s too nice. She’s friends with everyone,” Chris said.
Jason shook his head. “You and me—friends. There aren’t a lot of people in the world I can trust. Most of them make money off of me.”
“Like your assistant?” Chris asked.
“Exactly. Agents, managers, lawyers, and all of it. It’s a rough and nasty business. Sometimes I think it’ll eat me alive. I don’t want that to happen to Sabrina. I was enjoying the island last summer. I wasn’t thinking beyond each day,” Jason admitted.
“That’s your excuse?” Chris shot back.
“No excuse. I handled it all badly. I don’t have a head for business or science. Pretending to be other people is my skill. I’m damn lucky to make a good living at it. That can disappear fast.” He cut off his stream of consciousness babble and craned his neck, realizing they’d lost Veronica as they talked. “Do you see her?” Jason asked.
Chris scanned the crowd. “No, you?”
Jason texted his assistant to check on her. He could blend in with the crowd and fit in better. “Trey will find her.”
Chris nodded. “He’s useful.”
“Yeah.” Jason stared at the crowd and the sea beyond. “I guess we should talk about the bachelor party.”
“You’re sticking around all summer then?” Chris asked.
Jason couldn’t read the poker-faced and sullen Buxton son. “I did three movies in a row. I deserve a vacation. I’ll have to work sometimes. Do some auditions. But I’d like to enjoy the summer here.”
“Don’t get my mom’s hopes up. Don’t upset my sister,” Chris growled.
“I don’t want to do that. I never want to hurt Sabrina,” Jason promised.
Chris sipped from a bottle of water. “Sabrina is tougher than you think. She’s sweet and kind but not weak.”
“I didn’t mean that. She traveled alone around Europe for her art. She’s brave and smart. She’s amazingly talented. This island is paradise. Why would anyone want to leave it if they didn’t absolutely have to?” Jason asked.
“Love makes people do dumb things. But if you never talked to her and gave her the chance, then you didn’t love her anyway. This is for the best. I’m sure you’ll be great friends.” Chris glanced over at Jason’s phone.
“Nothing from Trey yet,” Jason said.
“Enough of this. Time to drag her back home.” Chris walked calmly into the crowd.
Jason followed Chris and it wasn’t long before Chris spotted his little sister making out with some random guy.
Chris dumped the bottle of water on them and pulled Veronica off, revealing Jason’s assistant underneath.
“Hey!” she shouted.
“Sorry,” Trey sputtered.
Jason shook his head. He actually trembled in fury. “You’re fired!”
“No, I like him. You’re mean!” Veronica slurred.
Chris shot Jason a look and jerked his head.
“Fine, not fired. But we expect you to keep her safe. That means not ignoring your phone,” Jason scolded.
“It’s late. We should go home,” Chris said to Veronica.
“I want to stay.” Veronica was whiny but not combative for once.
Chris scooped her up and carried her back across the beach. “Where’s your car? What’s your name?” he shot at the younger guy running to keep up with him.
“Trey. It’s back by the last bar,” Trey said. “I’ll run and bring it over.”
“Thank you,” Chris said.
Jason respected and liked this side of Chris. Managing Veronica was an art but if they had Trey on the inside, Veronica might be easier to handle.
“I still don’t like you,” Veronica muttered.
Smiling, Jason nodded. He texted Trey with strict orders not to screw things up with Veronica or the Buxtons.