CHAPTER 28
“Everything is wonderful, Haley, just wonderful,” Jeanette said.
“Thank you,” I said, and managed to sound humble, even though I knew I’d done a great job staging the festival.
We were standing in the Holt’s parking lot, just outside the spacious white tent I’d had erected for VIPs. Executives from the corporate office, the team of investigative journalists, and the shop owners were inside, taking advantage of the comfy seating groups to chat.
“Actually,” Jeanette said, “everything is spectacular.”
I’d arranged for one of L.A.s finest caterers to provide food for the VIPs, and had included a full bar—which, as always, added to the spectacular occasion.
Nearby, the festival was winding down. Folks had crowded the area all day, eating, enjoying the games, moving through the stores to shop, and returning to the festival again.
I spotted Jack making his way past the kids’ area. He and his team had been on the go all day. So far, there hadn’t been one minute of trouble.
“Those journalists are a little disappointed,” Jeanette whispered, then smiled. “With the murder solved, an arrest made, and the festival going so well, they don’t have much to report. The police closing the case yesterday was certainly a lucky break for us.”
“It was,” I agreed, though, really, it was all me.
I hadn’t heard from Shuman since he’d left the craft store with Dena in handcuffs. I knew he was busy. I figured he’d get clear soon and fill me in on everything.
My cell phone rang. Jeanette headed back into the VIP tent while I answered.
“Ms. Randolph, this is Kendal from Nuovo. I have some good news.”
A little more good news today wouldn’t hurt.
“Your two Mystique clutch bags have arrived,” she said.
I allowed myself a little fist pump and said, “Great. Thanks.”
Of course, I wanted to rush right over—really, you can never get your hands on a fabulous bag too soon.
After the last few days, I decided to treat myself. I could pick up Marcie, go to Nuovo, bask in the glory of our Mystiques, and get back here in time to make sure everything was handled when the festival officially closed.
“I’ll pick them up later today,” I said.
“Very well. I’ll see you then.”
“Great—oh, wait,” I said. “What about Chandra? She’s my personal shopper there.”
Kendal paused for only a second or two and said, “Chandra has moved on to accept new opportunities.”
I wondered if “accept new opportunities” was code for “got fired,” or maybe “quit without notice.”
Either way, not my problem.
“Okay, see you later,” I said, and ended the call.
I dashed off a text message to Marcie telling her to meet me at my apartment so we could pick up our Mystiques. She immediately texted back a dozen happy faces.
As I was heading back into the VIP tent, I caught sight of Shuman getting out of his car. I walked over to meet him.
“Are you feeling okay?” he asked, looking concerned. “You took a couple of hard hits yesterday.”
I had some bruises from wrestling around with Dena, but nothing permanent.
“I’m good,” I said. “What’s up with Dena?”
“Ballistics matched her gun with the murder weapon,” Shuman said. “Looks like she’s in for a long prison sentence.”
I gazed across the parking lot. The craft store was closed, but the bakery was doing a brisk business.
Of course, I could never go in there again. Carrie, no doubt, blamed me for her mom’s arrest. I wondered how long she could keep the bakery going without Dena’s help.
“Do you think Carrie was involved with Asha’s murder?” I asked.
When I’d been in her bakery and told her about Asha’s death, Carrie had gone completely whacko. She must have suspected her mom was behind the murder.
Shuman shrugged. “Dena claims not, but I don’t know. Maybe.”
Even if Carrie was involved, I knew Dena would keep it a secret. It was a total mom thing to do.
I nodded to the VIP tent. “There’s food, if you’re hungry.”
Shuman shook his head and grinned. “I’ve got a date tonight.”
“Cool.”
He left and I made a lap through the festival, making sure everything was still running smoothly with no problems, then checked on things in the VIP tent. No problems there, either.
Security announced that the festival was over and guided the remaining guests out of the area. I told Jeanette I had something to take care of with the construction crew—a total lie, but oh well—and left.
I drove to my apartment and hurried inside. Marcie would be here in a bit, but no way was I going to Nuovo dressed in the L.A. Affairs standard uniform of black pants and sweater—even though it was an upgraded version and I looked totally hot in it.
When I got to my bedroom, my doorbell rang. Wow, Marcie was really early. She must be more excited than me to get our Mystiques. Maybe we’d find something totally cool to wear with them at Nuovo—or maybe I’d find something totally hot to wear on my romantic weekend with Liam.
I hurried to the front door and yanked it open.
Ty stood outside.
I couldn’t move. I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t seem to comprehend that he was standing in front of me.
He had on jeans and a polo shirt. His hair brushed his collar. He had a short beard.
And he looked handsome.
My heart pounded so hard I could hear it in my ears.
“Can I come in?” he asked.
I couldn’t form any words. I stepped back and he walked into my living room.
“I just got back,” he said. “Right now. This minute. I came straight here.”
All I could do was look at him.
“I’ve had a lot of time to think,” he said. “That’s why I left, you know. I had to sort things through, figure out . . . figure out my life. And I’ve done that.”
Ty stepped closer and said, “I’m in love with you, Haley.”
My mouth fell open. I blinked twice to make sure I was really seeing him, that this wasn’t some sort of weird hallucination.
“You—you what?” I managed to ask.
“I love you.”
Oh, crap.