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CHAPTER

FORTY-TWO

THEN

The weekend at Garrick’s house in the Hamptons had been even better than Cecilia had imagined.

His home was fantastic. The place was sprawling, with cedar siding and dormers. It was located on the Long Island Sound and had a sparkling pool and inviting hot tub nestled between intricately landscaped shrubs and trees.

This summer house was the very picture of the kind of luxury Cecilia had only dreamed about.

Garrick had been such a gentleman the entire time they were together. He’d even given her a gold necklace with a ruby pendant to make up for canceling on her last week.

The jewelry was gorgeous and something she’d always treasure.

Plus, the necklace would remind her of this weekend.

Cecilia didn’t make it a habit to go home with guys. But she was so glad she’d gone home with Garrick. The whole weekend had been absolutely perfect.

So when one thing had led to another, she hadn’t resisted the way their relationship had progressed.

Cecilia knew deep in her heart that she and Garrick would be together forever.

That was why she’d said yes when Garrick had invited her into his bedroom. She wished she could say that part of the night was everything she’d dreamed about.

But it wasn’t. It was . . . rushed, she supposed.

Still, they had time to figure everything out. She envisioned many more opportunities.

But right now, she was back at work straightening racks of clothing and dealing with persnickety customers at Balderston’s.

She glanced up as one of them walked her way.

Her breath caught as she recognized the man.

It was one of Garrick’s friends, one she’d met at the fundraiser. What was his name again? John, she thought. But she didn’t feel confident.

He barely looked at her as he approached. “I need a new suit for a dinner I’m going to. Can you help?”

“Of course.” She ran a hand down her dress, hoping she looked presentable. Certainly as soon as the man looked up, he would recognize her and say hello.

But even as she grabbed several things for him to try on, he didn’t seem to remember her.

The realization caused a lump to form in her throat.

Was she that forgettable? Or was it the fact that maybe he hadn’t expected a woman who was dating Garrick to work a job in retail?

An hour later, he’d found his new suit, and she rang him up.

Cecilia wondered if she should bring up the fact they’d met before. What could it hurt?

She swallowed hard as she scanned another tag. “I met you at the fundraiser a while back.”

He studied her, still nothing in his gaze. “Is that right?”

“I was there with Garrick.”

Something flashed in his eyes, and then a tight smile stretched across his face. “That’s right. I thought you looked familiar. I didn’t realize you worked here.”

“I’ve been here a couple of years now.”

He observed her another moment, a strange look in his gaze. “I guess this is your side hustle?”

“My side hustle?” What did he mean by that?

Surprise fluttered through his gaze, and he shook his head. “Never mind.”

“No, I want to know.”

He stared at her again, an unreadable look in his gaze. “What’s the total?”

He was going to totally blow off her question?

Her jaw tightened. She wanted to demand that he answer.

But that would only cause a scene. And a scene might get her fired.

He wasn’t going to answer that question.

Cecilia rattled off the amount he owed, trying to remain professional.

After he paid, he looked at her another moment.

Then he winked.

Winked?

What was that about?

Their whole interaction left her feeling unsettled . . . and as if she was in the dark about something.