by Robyn Neeley
Flinging the pen to the side, she reached for her phone. To hell with sitting on the sidelines. Not this time. Two swipes later, she had Jason on the line.
“Buttermilk Advocate, Jason Levine speaking.”
“Hi, Jason, it’s Bethany.” She took a deep breath. “I would be happy to take photos for the Holiday Hook Up. I’ll see you tonight.”
Chapter 3
Bethany slipped into her Nissan, setting her camera bag down on the passenger seat next to her black leather clutch. She hadn’t had any time to run out and get a new party dress, so she had chosen her deep burgundy one, pairing it with high black boots.
As she pulled out of her driveway, she noticed a soft light illuminating Adam’s living room. He hadn’t left yet. No doubt he’d show up in a couple of hours when the event was in full swing, horse around with his buddies at the bar, and then flirt his way onto the dance floor with the first bachelorette who caught his eye.
Although, maybe he’d tone it down since he was supposed to be dating her, after all. She laughed sarcastically. Guess Rachel hadn’t heard the news from Pauline, or any of the mortician’s friends, about last night.
She turned her head, focusing on the road. How was he going to react when Rachel suggested he be her Holiday Hook Up? Would he agree to it?
When she’d grabbed her phone and called Jason, she’d had a fleeting moment of confidence that maybe, just maybe, Adam liked having her arms around him last night and perhaps he might like to be her Holiday Hook Up.
As she blew out her hair for the evening, second thoughts began to creep in. She didn’t have the self-assuredness that Rachel had—never mind the history that her best friend shared with Adam.
She’d finished getting ready, but gone was the confidence she’d had earlier. Nothing was going to change between her and Adam. They would go on being friends, but as of tonight, he could quite possibly be on the road to getting back together with Rachel.
That thought kept her preoccupied as she made the short drive to the start of the lake where the Lakeside Inn was located. Hopping out of her car, she buttoned up her coat and grabbed her camera equipment, shoving her clutch inside. Everything is going to be fine. If Adam accepted Rachel’s invitation to be her Holiday Hook Up, she was going to have to deal with it.
And as much as it would hurt, she’d rather see it all go down with her own eyes than be sitting home alone on her couch, pushing a spoon through a pint of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream.
“Stupid event,” she muttered, while walking down the long pathway to the Inn’s entrance.
Adjusting her camera bag around her shoulder, she pushed aside her frustration and admired how Christmasy the inn looked with its twinkling lights and gorgeous green wreaths decorated with curvy red bows.
Hats off to Brandon. He’d done an amazing job with this place since he purchased it last year. It was now a popular lakeside dining establishment and wonderful getaway.
She and a bunch of her friends had thrown Rachel a surprise birthday party here a couple of months ago, and it had been a total blast popping the bubbly in front of a roaring fire. It was going to be even more fun this summer, enjoying cocktails near the water.
Her high black boots clicked on the wooden porch steps; she opened the door and walked in.
“Bethany!” Abby Swift greeted her with a huge smile while jostling her daughter, Hannah, on her hip. “Brandon said you’d be photographing the event. I’m so glad you came early so we could catch up.”
“Oh my gosh, your little one is getting so big.” Bethany touched Hannah’s tiny outstretched hand, admiring her red velvet dress that matched Abby’s.
“Yes, she is.” Abby kissed her daughter’s curly red locks. “She’ll be turning into a pumpkin in the next twenty minutes and spending the night at her grandparents’. Let me hand over this little turkey to my mom, and we can set you up. I’ll be right back.”
“Take your time.” Bethany stepped through the foyer and unbuttoned her coat, glancing up at the gorgeous crystal chandelier. Her grandmother had shared stories that many years ago the inn had been the place to listen to jazz and dance the night away. She’d even given Bethany one of her old flapper dresses, saying she’d been wearing it the night she’d met her grandfather.
She giggled at the thought of her grandmother in her dress, wearing a tiara like one of the ones in the shipment she’d opened earlier and swinging her pearls suggestively in the direction of her debonair grandpa.
This was no doubt the singles spot back in the day. Running her hand along the mahogany stair banister, she admired its intricate details. Brandon had kept a lot of the inn’s original décor, and the main room was now usually opened up for parties. Soon it would be packed with women in party gowns and men in ties—a rarity, at least for the men of Buttermilk Falls—but they all took the tradition of the Holiday Hook Up very seriously.
Abby came back and straightened her flowing red dress.
“I love your outfit,” Bethany said, wiggling out of her coat. She handed it to one of Brandon’s staff who offered to hang it on the rack in the foyer.
“Thank you. I know most of the women get decked out for this event, but since I’ve already snagged the hottest man in Buttermilk Falls and will be supplying you all with appetizers for much of the evening, I went for functional.”
“Smart. Comfortable is key,” Bethany agreed. Abby operated Taste the Magic catering company out of Brandon’s kitchen. Her stomach started to grumble at the thought of the amazing morsels Abby most likely whipped up for tonight.
She touched her own simple dress. “It would be hard to take pictures in a long gown, never mind a mask.”
“Wait. You don’t have a mask?” Abby’s scrunched her nose. “How are you going to participate in the Holiday Hook Up?”
“I don’t think the masks really hide our identities. I mean, I’ve always known the guys I’ve hooked up with in the past.”
“Good point.” Abby grinned. “So, do you have your eye on anyone this year?”
“No. Not at the moment.” A total lie, but she didn’t want to broadcast to Adam’s inner circle that she was interested in him. “I’m kind of thinking of passing on this one. With my parents out of town and only a few days left until Christmas, I’ve been slammed at the shop. I don’t really have time—let alone the energy for the required dates after being on my feet all day. Maybe next year.”
“Well, if you change your mind, there are some gorgeous masks upstairs. First guestroom to the right. Help yourself. Emma and Caitlin did some shopping this afternoon and bought some extras to make sure everyone has one.”
“I’m sure they won’t go to waste.” Everyone loved the masquerade portion of the event. She personally always enjoyed that part.
Her masquerade role-playing last year with Rodney had been fun. While she pretended to be a jewel thief with a sparkly purple mask, he’d introduced himself as an FBI agent. She’d had a great time, but their dates around town afterwards when they were simply Bethany and Rod had been a little bland.
Not that she needed to be wined and dined to have a good time. No. A simple evening at home admiring the sunset with the right guy could make for the perfect date.
Bethany felt Abby’s hand on her shoulder, yanking her out of her thoughts of sitting comfortably on Adam’s deck.
“Oh, I almost forgot. If you are feeling adventurous, they also purchased some fun wigs for gals who want to throw a guy off track until after the hookup.” She rolled her eyes. “Totally Caitlin’s idea to spice things up a bit.”
Bethany took one step up the stairs. “Maybe I’ll just go up and take a quick peek.”
“Knock yourself out. Take whatever you’d like,” Abby said, tossing a coy smile over toward her husband who was setting up the bar and waved him over. “I’ve already snagged a dark brown one for later.”
“Hey, Red.” Brandon joined them, letting out a sexy whistle that Bethany was one hundred percent sure was for
only his wife.
“Hey, Babe. You clean up well.” Abby linked her arms around Brandon’s tuxedo-dressed middle.
That action caused Bethany to gulp, remembering how she wrapped her own arms around Adam last night.
“Brandon, can you help me in the kitchen? My cream cheese stuffed mushroom caps should be ready to come out of the oven, and I need a taster.” Abby released her arms, taking her husband’s hand. “Bethany, help yourself to anything upstairs.”
“Thank you.” Bethany started up the half-twist staircase to the second floor. It wouldn’t hurt to take a look. Plus, she wanted to check her hair and makeup one last time. She stopped at the first door on the right and opened it.
She’d never been up here, though she’d heard all the stories that the third floor was haunted and had been the place that Emma, Jason, and Brandon had found the shimmering blue mixing spoon.
That thought made her shudder. She quickly stepped into the bedroom and shut the door. She didn’t mind talking magic with Adam, but she’d rather not see a ghost.
Once inside, she walked over to the bed, eyeing all the colorful, decorative masks and assortment of wigs that had been placed on it. The room, itself, was quaint and country chic. Next to the bed was a white dresser with a matching full-length mirror.
She set her camera down on the dresser and grabbed a long, blonde wig, pulling it over her own brown hair and tucking her loose strands in. She then picked up a glittery pink mask with white pearls along the edges, held it up to her face, and turned to face the full-length mirror.
“Why, Adam Reed. Fancy meeting you here. You’re looking mighty handsome tonight. Would you like to be my Holiday Hook Up?”
If only it was that easy.
She set the mask down and turned, her gaze landing on an exquisite chestnut antique hope chest to the left of the door. How had she missed it? She absolutely loved antiques, and the hope chest with its decorative carving certainly looked like one.
She walked over and bent down, running her hand along the top.
“What on earth?” She instantly pulled her hand away, wiggling her fingers in front of her face.
Why were they tingling?
She touched the top again with her opposite hand. This time no tingles.
More than a little curious to what was inside, she placed both hands on the brass handle and lifted.
The hope chest was empty except for a soft cream-colored garment taking up most of its floor. She couldn’t resist touching the satin fabric, pulling it out with both hands.
A dress.
But not just any dress. She straightened the fabric to get a better look. The gown was absolutely gorgeous with beautiful sheer lace sleeves and a cream-colored satin bodice.
She walked over to the mirror and held it up, marveling that the material fell perfectly to her feet. Mesmerized, she smoothed the blonde wig that she still had on. If she put on the dress and mask, she’d be unrecognizable, and maybe that’s exactly what she needed to get through this night.
A mysterious bride wanting one last hookup before her wedding.
Bethany, don’t be silly. She glanced over at her camera. That particular accessory would give her away. Everyone knew she was a photographer.
Speaking of, she probably should head down stairs and get in position to take the shots Jason had requested. She yanked off the wig and tossed it back onto the bed before gently placing the dress back into the hope chest where she’d found it.
Grabbing her camera, she left the room and headed back down the stairs. Her breath caught for a second, seeing Adam standing alone on the landing.
And he looked ever so handsome in his black sports coat and dark green tie, a red cocktail in hand.
“Hi.” She tried to sound like she wasn’t aware that her heart was now pounding against her chest. “I didn’t think I’d see you until the party was in full swing.”
He took a mushroom cap that a server offered, popping it in his mouth. “I wanted to get here early and scout out my prospects.” He raised an eyebrow. “Hey, I thought you said you were skipping tonight?”
She raised her camera, pretending to take his picture. “I’m actually on assignment. Jason is doing a story and asked if I would get a couple of snapshots to accompany it.”
That got a hearty chuckle that she recognized all too well. They’d shared a lot of laughs on his porch these last couple of months.
“Breaking news in Buttermilk Falls. Couples are hooking up tonight.”
“Now that’s a headline. Isn’t it funny how the word ‘hookup’ has a totally different meaning in this context?”
“Or maybe you’ve been hooking up with the wrong guys.” He playfully patted her back.
Her cheeks warmed at the thought of what it would be like to be his Holiday Hook Up. “So . . . are you planning on participating?”
“I don’t know. I never had a reason to before.” He glanced over to the dance floor and Bethany followed his gaze. Rachel had already arrived and was now dancing slowly with Carter, laughing at something he’d said. “What do you think she sees in that bore?”
Her friend did seem to be having a good time. She also looked beautiful in a satin green sleeveless dress with matching strappy heels. Bethany turned away from the couple, leaning against the stair banister. “I don’t really know him.”
That much was true. Carter had moved here over a year ago as the town’s new veterinarian. He was always friendly when they ran into each other on Main Street and genuinely seemed interested in hearing how her day was going—probably because he was dating her best friend. They’d never had a long conversation beyond polite chitchat.
Bethany glanced back at the two. Was Rachel still going through with her plan to make Adam her Holiday Hook Up? She did look rather cozy in Carter’s arms. Perhaps she changed her mind.
Just then, Rachel caught their stares, flashing a wide smile aimed directly at Adam.
Bethany had her answer.
And she’d have to photograph the God-awful moment when it happened. She scooted around Adam as he continued to watch the dance floor. “I should probably find Jason and see what kind of shots he wants. Have fun tonight with your hookup,” she said, doing her best not to sound disappointed that it wouldn’t be her.
“Thanks. Hey, neighbor. If you see a cute blonde, can you send her my way?”
“Sure thing,” she mumbled, and turned on her camera, adjusting the lens. Was he talking about Rachel or some other blonde? She needed a drink if she was going to get through this night.
She crossed the room over to the bar and set her camera down.
“What can I get you, Bethany?” Brandon asked from behind the bar.
“Another identity,” she said, not bothering to mask her sarcasm.
“That might be difficult.” He grabbed a Sprite can and cracked it open. “Although, one sip of Abby’s Potion and you might think you’re someone else.”
Getting tipsy and forgetting that she was Adam’s neighbor and nothing more sounded good right about now. She forced out her biggest smile. “That sounds fabulous.”
“You got it. One Abby’s Potion coming up.” He grabbed a bottle of vodka and, in less than a minute, set a sparkly red drink in front of her that looked exactly like the one Adam had been drinking.
“Thank you.” She brought it up to her lips.
“I created this before my wife cursed me.”
“For real?”
“Yeah.” He reached behind him for a platter loaded with appetizers and set it in front of her. “It’s strong. You might want to nibble on these while you drink it.”
She popped one of the mini grilled cheese sandwiches in her mouth and her eyes rolled back. Abby’s Potion and grilled cheese sounded like exactly what she needed to get through this crummy party. “So why did Abby curse you?”
“She had a hard time accepting we belonged together, but it all worked out.” He grinned over at his wife who had come out of the kitchen to greet th
e guests. She was chatting it up with Adam’s sister-in-law, Bridget.
“Well, I’m glad you two are together. Although, were the rumors true last year that you made out with her on our date?” She couldn’t help asking that juicy question. Before Brandon had gotten together with Abby, he had participated in a series of dates for a special bachelor feature Jason’s former editor was doing. Bethany had been selected to take part in a Halloween excursion.
For their one and only date, they had dressed up as a witch and zombie to scare the daylights out of people who entered the town’s haunted corn maze, but Brandon had mysteriously vanished before they even got started.
He leaned in, resting his elbows on the bar. “Would you think I was a jerk if I said the rumor was true?”
She picked up another mini grilled cheese and popped it into her mouth. “Not really.” Though she and Brandon had been paired up, even that night, she knew that there was zero chemistry between them. She went for the tall, lanky, class clown type.
It was too bad that guy was being courted by a former Homecoming Queen. Bethany took a long sip of her drink and held up her glass. “I’m glad one of us found true love.”
“Cheers to that, and your time will come. Maybe Adam is the guy.”
Bethany began to choke on her drink. What was Brandon suggesting? She coughed. “Sorry. You were saying.”
“Maybe Adam is the guy who could predict your soul mate.”
“Oh . . . um . . . yeah . . .” Of course, Brandon wasn’t suggesting Adam was her true love. “Maybe.”
“That is if he ever gets the spell right. He’s worse than Abby.” He shook his head and then nodded to a couple who’d approached the bar. “Duty calls. Enjoy your night, Bethany.”
“You, too. Thanks for the drink.” She turned and scanned the crowd. Adam was in deep conversation with Zoe Mathews, the owner of the Ice Heaven frozen yogurt shop next to the Star Lite, and of course, a blonde.
What was it with him and that hair color? She ran her fingers through her own chocolate brown locks.