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Ignoring the fact that Caleb and I are having a completely different conversation, Trent pulls us back to the previous one "Where does she work?"

"She’s an event planner I know she’s been coordinating that assle Ro But I have no idea where it is"

Trent turns on his heel and leaves the kitchen

"Where are you going?" I call to hiure it out"

I follow him into my office "Don’t be a smart-ass"

He sits in front of the coo! It’s breaking news Governor’s son’s wedding set to take place at Adaoing to Malibu My guess is she’s still there LastTrent

I glare at him "You toldaround looking like your dog just died then You wouldn’t even go out with o out and have a good tie at his question No way I as a nephew doesn’t need to know "Let’s just say it’s been a while" I leave it at that

"Coet her," Caleb prods

I lean against the doorway "You act like it’s that easy It’s complicated"

Trent pipes up, "It’s only as complicated as you make it"

He has a point I did say I wanted to leave the past in the past

Caleb lowers himself on the corner of the desk "When have you ever backed away fro because it wasn’t easy?"

Trent pushes back inboy I think I can go after a girl myself"

• • •

The ride should be fairly short, but the worsening weather conditions arewinds, and the county has issued the highest wildfire threat it’s seen in years I finally spot the sign at the road that reads CALIFORNIA STATE PARK NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE I turn in and immediately notice the wildflowers that line both sides of the narrow drive They leadthat must be the Adamson House I’ve never been here, but I have read the book written by the original owner, Frederick H Rindge Happy Days in Southern California provided a detailed history of the region and it was so I had picked it up at the library last su every historical book about California I could find to help cement my decision to stay here

There are no cars here and I hope I’ in front of e Mediterranean-style house with hand-carved wooden front doors Detailed filigree ironwork covers what looks to be lead-fralass s I walk around the side of the building, where I catch sight of Malibu Beach as well as the lagoon and the pier--it’s one gorgeous view I loop to the back and spot her car and the Tate Wyatt catering van immediately She’s here

Excitey as I finally allowhere and what the fk I’ to say All of a sudden I feel like Richard Gere from An Officer and a Gentleman, and that couldn’t be any lamer Now I need to consider my options:

1) Go hoo the fk in

I decide on texting

I’m outside and I want to talk to you So you either co in

I wait for a response--onein I pull open the rusted metal door that has been painted chocolate brown in an atte it As I step inside, a musty sht switch I’m in a closet of some sorts that’s been turned into an employee entrance with a tih the door in front of me and end up in a hallway It’s quiet and I follow it to the end, where the next door opens into the banquet area It’s partially set up with place settings, flowers, and candelabras on each of the tables, but it’s also empty of any people A number of other doors line the walls and I walk the peri into them They are all dark inside and I can’t find her anywhere

CHAPTER 26

Sundown

Bell

Ro has been canceled without any explanation and Tate and I have been cleaning up e had already set up The weather may have kept everyone away anyway I’ve been out in the main room for a while when he calls h the door I notice a bottle of scotch and a glass on the work area "You’re drinking?"

"Celebrating iswe have all year cancels and you call it a celebration?" I raise an eyebrow

"He wasn’t ready forfor the both of theht

"How much more do you have left?"

"I’m more than halfway done"

"Put the flowers in here," he says, holding out a bucket "I’ll drop the flowers"

"That’s sweet of you"

So flickers in his eyes that I can’t decipher

I reach for the bucket, and his hand catches my wrist and he yanks ive you sweet Just give me a chance"

"Tate, come on We’ve talked about this"

"Yes, we have and I think you need to stop fighting the attraction between us"

I push at his shoulder "I think you’ve had too rip, but instead he cages me I try to remain calm because I knoon’t hurt me; he’s just had too much to drink "Tate, please aain, this tiet back to work"

In an unexpectedhimself into me I screas open and Ben is standing there wearing an anger like nothing I’ve ever seen before "Let her go," he seethes

Tate turns "What the fk!" he yells