Chapter Three
Four days later, Missy was riding in a limo with her friends in a dreamy haze. If you had told her back when she was on the streets, hungry and clawing her way through just to survive, that one day she’d be attending movie star Claire Jordan’s Fierce Loving wrap party at a palatial mansion in the Connecticut countryside, she wouldn’t have believed it. Claire was a Happy Endings Book Club member and star of the Fierce trilogy movies based on books written by former book club member Julia Marino. Everything good in Missy’s life could be traced back to her connection with the Happy Endings Book Club, a romance book club she never would’ve joined on her own. She didn’t even believe in a romantic happy ending. And that connection was all due to her younger sister, Lily Marino.
Three years ago, out of the blue, Missy got a call from a woman claiming to be her sister—both of them put up for adoption as babies from the same mother to different families. Missy had agreed to meet her, figuring at least someone would understand how much their biological mother sucked. They’d connected immediately, but it was only for a week. Missy had been living in Seattle at the time and thought she’d never see Lily again. But Lily kept in touch and, when Lily got engaged two months later, she asked Missy to be maid of honor, a huge step for their tentative relationship. Their bond strengthened during Missy’s visit for the wedding, resulting in Missy moving to Clover Park. Lily’s family by marriage, the Marinos, had welcomed Missy, giving her a job and leading her to the Happy Endings Book Club. The debt she owed the Marinos was immense. They made Clover Park feel like home.
She focused on her friends all dressed up for the special occasion. Lexi and Hailey sat across from her, Sabrina by her side. The rest of their friends from the Happy Endings Book Club had skipped the limo in favor of driving with their fiancés or husbands. Guess the limo crowd were the last of the single women in their group. Fine by Missy. Sisters before misters, forever and ever, amen.
Lexi’s shoulder-length dark brown hair was swept into a sophisticated twist, her makeup flawless, and she wore a scandalously slit red dress, exposed from ankle to waist. For sure she was commando under that thing. Lexi was a lot like Missy—no-nonsense and practical.
“Champagne?” Lexi asked, passing the bottle over to Missy. Claire kept the limo stocked for them.
Missy took a slug from the bottle, delicately wiping some from her chin. She smiled at Lexi. “Looks like your dress ripped.”
Lexi swished the bottom of her dress from side to side. “Eat your heart out, Blake Grenier!” He was the drop-dead gorgeous co-star of the Fierce trilogy movies.
“Or you,” Missy quipped.
Everyone laughed.
Missy passed the champagne bottle to Sabrina, who huffed. “Where are the glasses? I can’t show up to an A-list party in one of Claire’s designer dresses with champagne spilled all over my front.” Her full-length lavender dress was exquisite—frothy and light with lace and sheer panels. Her long dirty blond hair was smooth and glossy, her brown eyes accented by smoky eyeliner, even her round apple cheeks had more definition with makeup. Quite a transformation from girl-next-door to glam. Of course, she was still sweet as ever.
Missy felt a little plain next to Sabrina, wearing her usual little black dress, her brown hair not at all glossy or styled, just straight down to her shoulders. At least her push-up bra made it look like she had cleavage.
“So don’t spill,” Missy told Sabrina.
“I got it,” Hailey said, sliding open a storage cabinet and pulling out a stack of plastic cups. Hailey somehow moved with ease in a black strapless dress that fit her like a glove. Probably from all her years on the beauty pageant circuit. She was a former beauty queen with long strawberry blond hair, pale blue eyes, and a flawless complexion. Now she worked as a wedding planner and was the leader of the Happy Endings Book Club.
Sabrina leaned forward and took the offered cup. “Thanks, Hailey. I have to be so careful. I’m sure this dress cost a fortune.”
Hailey nodded. “It’s classier to drink from a cup.” Hailey was always classy.
Lexi showed off an exposed leg and purposely slurred her words. “What’re you saying, we’re not classy?”
Missy made a show of adjusting her strapless bra. “Yeah, we’re classy!”
“Classy with a K,” Sabrina said, which made Hailey laugh.
Hailey took them all in with a bright smile that meant she was shifting to hyper planner mode, her speech rapid-fire. “Anyone have time this weekend to help me get ready for the holiday stroll and tree decorating? There’s still a lot to be done decoration-wise, plus the favors I’m preparing for the kids, the raffle, the gift-wrapping for seniors—did I tell you about that event? I merged the gift-wrapping thing into the tree-decorating event. I’m also on the hunt for miniature stockings for—”
“Hold that thought,” Missy said. She turned to Sabrina. “Pass her the champagne.” Hailey had always been driven, but ever since she’d become single, ending a long-term friends-with-benefits situation, she’d catapulted past driven to hyper. The real issue, they all privately agreed, was Josh Campbell. The pair, previously involved in an escalating frenemy one-upmanship fueled by a palpable sexual chemistry, abruptly stopped all sparring when Josh got a girlfriend. Kind of a shame for the rest of them too because watching Josh and Hailey at Garner’s Sports Bar & Grill, where they all hung out, was an extremely entertaining and frequent event. Josh was manager and bartender there and took great pleasure in denying Hailey her favorite drink as retaliation for whatever devious thing she’d come up with. The rumor that Josh had a tiny banana was only one example of Hailey’s brilliant moves. Josh’s new girlfriend was the anti-Hailey—a laid-back, supersweet, bohemian yoga instructor.
Sabrina handed the bottle to Hailey. “Sweetie, promise me you’ll take a breather after the holidays.” Sabrina was a relationship counselor with a deeply compassionate nature.
Hailey poured herself a glass, her smile bright. “I’m fine. This is what I do.” She set the champagne bottle back in the ice bucket and lifted her cup. “To planning fantastic events!”
Missy and Sabrina exchanged a concerned look.
“I’m fine!” Hailey chirped. “Seriously, I’ve never been happier!”
“We totally believe you!” Lexi chirped back in a dead-on Hailey impersonation.
Hailey’s pale blue eyes narrowed. “You’ve been snippier lately. When was the last time you had a man in your life?”
“Don’t go there,” Lexi said with no real heat.
Hailey lifted one shoulder. “It’s what I do. I’m a happy-ending facilitator.”
“The Love Junkie,” Sabrina added with a straight face. “It says so on her card.”
Hailey smiled serenely, proud of her self-appointed title. “And, Sabrina, you’re getting quite a rep as a relationship healer.”
Sabrina blushed. “It’s a self-fulfilling prophesy. Word spreads and then more people looking for healing come to me. They’re ready and willing to do the work.”
Hailey flicked her long strawberry blond hair over her shoulder. “We should put our heads together for some more coupling.”
Lexi snorted. “Coupling. That sounds dirty.”
They cracked up.
“What about you, Sabrina?” Hailey asked. “You’re an expert on relationships, does that mean you’d like one for yourself soon?”
Sabrina blushed, looking away. “Sometimes when you know as much as I do, it’s almost a curse.” She turned back to Hailey. “I can see warning signs of relationship incompatibility a mile away. It makes it hard to relax and just enjoy.”
“I could help you get comfortable,” Hailey said. “I’ve brought so many couples together already, and some of them were seriously gun-shy.”
Missy stifled a laugh. Hailey took credit for a lot of couples that they all thought would’ve happened anyway.
Sabrina pointed at Missy, purposely shifting Hailey’s focus.
Hailey cocked her head at Missy. “What’s so funny?”
Missy forced a straight face. “Nothing.”
Hailey crossed her legs and leveled an assessing look at Missy. “How long have we known each other now? Two years? And in that time I don’t think you’ve ever mentioned a man in your life.”
Missy leaned forward. “That’s because there is no man in my life by choice. Casual hookups, yes. Relationships, no.”
The women went quiet. It was the first time Hailey had pressed Missy on her relationship status. Lexi and Sabrina already knew she preferred casual hookups. Missy had never explained why, and her friends had never asked, probably sensing her defensiveness on the matter. The only people who knew about Missy’s past were her therapist back in Seattle and her sister. She’d wanted to start over in Clover Park, where nobody would ever know she was once a victim. She wanted to be a new Missy, a stronger, smarter version of herself. Her recent fuckup with the married Matt was still too humiliatingly fresh. Missy had learned the key to surviving was to address only the immediate danger and leave the emotional aftermath for later when she was ready.
She wasn’t ready. She’d known better, and it still burned that she’d been stupid enough to let Matt in close.
“Can I ask why?” Hailey asked gently.
“This is a circle of trust,” Sabrina added in such a serious tone Missy nearly laughed.
Lexi nodded. “Doesn’t leave this limo.”
Missy sighed, knowing her friends meant well. “Let’s just say I’ve had too many bad experiences to ever trust a man.” She thought about her ex-husband and all the women she’d personally helped, victimized like her. “And I don’t mean just a bad breakup. I mean traumatically bad.” At their sympathetic looks, her throat tightened, and a telltale stinging in her eyes told her to shut up. “Let’s talk about something else. I’ve really been looking forward to this party, and I don’t want to get all worked up about my shitty past experiences.”
“Absolutely,” Sabrina said. “Another time. Just know my door’s always open.” Sabrina lived down the hall from Missy.
“Mine too,” Lexi and Hailey chimed in at the same time.
Missy blinked rapidly, her lips pressed tightly together.
“More champagne?” Hailey asked, breaking the tension. They all offered their glasses, and the mood immediately became lighter.
By the time they arrived at the mansion, they were all tipsy, having finished off a second bottle of champagne, and were getting increasingly raunchy, laughing like loons. They settled down as the limo pulled around a circular driveway with a marble fountain in the center. This place looked like someone took a European palace complete with manicured grounds and plopped it down in the middle of Connecticut. No wonder they filmed the movies here.
The driver opened the door for them and then helped them out of the limo. Sometimes Missy had to pinch herself that this was all real.
A distinguished-looking older man in a black tuxedo answered the door (a butler?) and took their coats for them. Hailey, always the confident leader, strode through the crowd of mingling people in the two-story foyer, bypassing the adjacent crowded parlor and dining room, and went straight back to the conservatory. The large white-paneled room had only two sofas, a couple of high-backed chairs, and a grand piano—probably cleared out for maximum mingling at the party. A crowd gathered by the bar on the opposite side of the room.
They quickly found Claire surrounded by admirers. Hailey didn’t hesitate to join the group, coming right up to Claire with a beaming smile and warm congratulations. Claire still looked the part of her character, Mia, with shoulder-length brown hair instead of her natural blond. Claire hugged Hailey, and the rest of them slid in close.
“I’m so happy you’re here!” Claire exclaimed, hugging each of them before addressing her group of admirers, saying, “These are my sisters from another mister! Seriously, they have been my rock through all three movies.”
The group welcomed them, and Claire introduced each of them—part of her regular crew working for her production company. Then Blake Grenier—A-list movie star, featured player in every woman’s erotic Fierce trilogy fantasies, and People’s Sexiest Man Alive—joined them. He was breathtaking in real life. His eyes were impossibly blue, accented by his dark blue custom-tailored suit and jet-black hair. His features were masculine perfection, strong and sharp, his lips sensuous. She’d swoon if she were the type. He positively oozed sex.
The crew went quiet at Blake’s arrival for some reason. Everyone stared at him, Missy included.
Blake turned to Hailey. “I remember you,” he said in a deep charming voice. “You stole the corporate party scene. I was sure you’d acted before.” Some of her friends had been extras in the first movie.
Hailey smoothed her hair. “I do have a lot of pageant experience.”
Blake flashed a wolfish smile. “I’d love to hear about it.”
Claire shot a warning look at Hailey that she blithely ignored.
“Can I get you a drink?” Blake asked, gesturing to the bar at the far side of the room.
“I’d love one!” Hailey left with him.
Claire frowned and Missy shifted next to her to ask in a quiet voice, “Is he bad news?”
Claire nodded and whispered back, “He’s just looking for a quick lay.”
Missy lifted a shoulder. “Maybe she wants that.”
“No way!” Claire exclaimed. “Hailey? She’s a romantic. Her entire wedding planning business is based on her passion for romance.”
Missy inclined her head. “She’s been out of sorts. Let her enjoy the attention. I’ll check on her in a bit.”
Claire blinked rapidly. “Thanks, Missy. I know I can be a bit of a mother hen, but you ladies…” Her voice choked.
“I know,” Missy said, her own throat tightening from the emotion she heard in Claire. Their group was tight, and Missy knew Claire especially appreciated that closeness because she found it hard to make real friends as a celebrity. Most people wanted something from her.
“I love you guys,” Claire said, wiping a tear from under her eye.
Missy squeezed her arm. “We love you too.”
Sabrina smiled and nodded. Lexi raised a fist in solidarity.
Claire let out a small laugh. “Sorry. I get a little emotional after a movie wraps. And this was a huge one. Three years, three movies, same cast, most of the same crew. They become like family. It’s always hard to say goodbye.”
Sabrina leaned in. “You’ll always have us.”
Claire lost it, breaking down in tears. Sabrina swooped in, putting an arm around Claire and guiding her away, talking quietly the whole time. As soon as Claire left, the group of admirers moved on.
“You want a drink?” Missy asked Lexi.
“I should probably eat first,” Lexi said. “Let’s find one of those tuxedoed waiters.”
They did a tour of the downstairs, sampling the gourmet appetizers offered by the waiters. The best was stuffed mushrooms with crab and lobster. Finally, they returned to the conservatory, where Hailey and Blake were flirting up a storm in a quiet corner of the room.
She and Lexi stopped at the bar before settling close enough to keep an eye on Hailey without being obvious.
Mad, the youngest and only girl in the Campbell family, joined them in her black pants suit. The woman never wore a dress. “What the hell is she doing?” She inclined her head in Hailey’s direction, her dyed fire-engine red hair flopping into her face. She shoved her hair away. “She knows he’s an asshole that uses women.”
“Maybe she’s lonely,” Lexi said.
“Maybe she wants him,” Missy said. Hell, any woman with a pulse would want him.
Mad looked around and then confided with a small smile, “Maybe she wants to make Josh jealous.”
They followed her gaze across the room, where Josh stood in a white button-down shirt with dark gray dress pants, an unusually dressy look for him, with a clear view of Hailey. Josh was tall with an athletic build, like all of the Campbell men, his dark brown hair on the longish side, giving him a sexy rumpled look. His casual laid-back charm was coupled with an edge that Missy thought moved him up the scale from good looking to seriously hot. He was a trained warrior, a former paratrooper in the army who’d dropped from a plane into enemy territory, where he’d prevailed in hand-to-hand combat. Missy and her friends had never pursued him because they all thought he was meant for Hailey, whether the two of them liked it or not. For now, Josh was with the bohemian Clarissa, standing in front of him in a deep blue sheath dress with white embroidered flowers, her long thin brown braids loosely pinned into a bun, her light brown skin glowing with good health. Clarissa’s back was to Hailey, but she had to notice Josh looking over her shoulder, his attention fixated on someone else. And every time Josh looked over at Hailey, Hailey flirted even more.
“It’s working,” Missy said.
“Yeah,” Mad said with a grin. “I feel better now. I thought she was actually fooled by Blake’s movie-star shine for a minute there. Later, bitches. Claire says she has a pizza for me in the kitchen.”
“Oh, no, thanks, we’re stuffed,” Lexi said.
“You can have some too,” Mad said belatedly. “Sorry. She got it special for me since I don’t like this fancy stuff, but I’ll share.”
“Go ahead and enjoy,” Missy said. “We’re fine.”
Mad strode away, her fiancé fell into step with her, and they headed off for pizza.
A few minutes later, Hailey and Blake made their way out of the conservatory, heading who knew where. Missy and Lexi followed a discreet distance behind, through the maze of people, all the way to the two-story foyer, where only a few people lingered. Missy and Lexi exchanged a look of alarm. Hailey was either leaving with Blake or heading up the huge staircase. Either way, they wouldn’t be able to keep an eye on her.
“Where are you two heading?” Missy called.
Hailey stopped and turned. “Blake’s giving me a tour. They shot some of the scenes upstairs.”
“We’ll go too,” Missy said.
“Yeah, we’re big fans of the Fierce trilogy,” Lexi said.
Blake whispered something to Hailey.
Hailey nodded. She crossed to Missy and Lexi and pulled them aside. “Ladies, I’m fine. Really. Thank you for your concern.”
Lexi leaned in. “He’s gonna be out the door before you can get your panties back on.”
“Like I’m wearing panties,” Hailey said with a cheeky grin.
Lexi grinned. “Hey, me too.”
Hailey’s eyes widened. “I was kidding! Geez, Lexi, at least wear a thong!”
“Seriously,” Missy said in a low voice, “is this what you want?”
Hailey sighed. “You think I haven’t dealt with men like him before? And maybe I’m up for it. I could use a breather, like Sabrina said.”
Missy shook her head. “I think Sabrina meant some quiet meditation time.”
“Or counseling time,” Lexi said.
Hailey tossed her hair over her shoulder. “I don’t need therapy. I just need to let loose.”
“We’ll be waiting right here for you,” Lexi said.
“I’m fine.” Hailey pasted on a smile, probably because she was getting irritated. She gave both their arms a squeeze, turned and headed back to Blake, who didn’t look happy to be kept waiting.
Blake put a hand low on Hailey’s back, guiding her toward the stairs. They’d only taken one step when Josh appeared suddenly in the foyer, his expression fierce.
He spoke in a stern commanding voice. “Hailey, no.”
Hailey whirled. “What?”
Josh was not playing around. “Not him. Literally any other guy at this party, but not him.”
“What’s your problem?” Blake snarled.
“You, asshole.” Josh hitched a thumb. “Now move along.”
“Josh!” Hailey exclaimed. “You have no right—”
“Hailey, go,” Josh ordered. “Back to the party.”
Hailey’s jaw dropped.
Clarissa appeared in the foyer. “Josh, what’s going on?”
Josh’s attention was riveted on Hailey. “Now.”
Hailey lifted her chin. “I will not. I’m going on a tour with Blake.”
Josh’s voice dropped, low and menacing. “No, you’re not.”
“I’ll take care of this,” Blake said, heading straight for Josh.
Josh held his ground, feet shoulder width apart, body tense in clear battle mode. The two men were equally matched in size, but Josh was far more dangerous.
The few lingering people in the foyer cleared out fast, probably because the men were circling each other and they didn’t want to get caught in the fray. Hailey remained on the stairs, her gaze locked on Josh. Clarissa watched Josh too, one hand over her mouth, most likely concerned about how much trouble Josh would get in for damaging Blake.
Blake shoved Josh. In a flash, Josh had him pinned flat on his back, his knee in Blake’s chest.
Blake’s face was a mottled red. “One swing and I will sue you for everything you’re worth!”
Josh got off him and took a step back. “Wouldn’t get much.”
Blake scrambled to his feet, his lip curling. “What do you want with Hailey?” He gestured toward Clarissa. “You’ve already got a hot piece—”
Josh slammed him against the wall. Blake struggled like mad to get free.
“Josh!” Clarissa and Hailey exclaimed in near unison.
Josh threw Blake to the side. “Stay away from her.”
Blake stumbled and straightened. “Which her? Can’t decide? Let me make it easy.” He came back at Josh, swinging. Josh didn’t try to duck or block the punch; instead he rammed into Blake, taking him to the ground. Fists flew—the men a blur of motion.
Lexi muttered, “I’ll get Jake,” and ran off to find Josh’s identical twin. Smart. Jake could get through to him.
Missy bit her lip. They needed a couple of strong guys to pull these two apart. She glanced around, and the front door opened. Ben and Logan, Josh’s youngest brother, stepped inside.
“Guys!” she called urgently. “Break them up before someone gets hurt.”
“Shit,” Logan said. “Is that Josh?”
“Yes!” Missy exclaimed. “And Blake Grenier!”
He and Ben rushed forward to break them up. Ben headed for Josh, and just before he could grab him, Logan hollered, “Not from behind!”
Too late. Ben put a hand on Josh’s shoulder from behind, Josh grabbed Ben’s hand, twisted, and then Ben was flat on his ass. “It’s me!” Ben shouted as Josh loomed over him. “Ben!”
Josh quickly backed off, low and scanning the room for more threats, a warrior in battle, his eyes deadly calm. Blake was on the floor at Logan’s feet. Threat neutralized.
Logan looked down at Blake. “You’re lucky he wasn’t serious about kicking your ass.”
Blake flushed bright red and stood, knocking Logan’s shoulder before leaving, slamming the front door behind him.
Lexi rushed in with Jake, who approached Josh, speaking quietly to him. Their heads together, the twins were nearly indistinguishable. Josh shook his head. Jake kept talking until Josh shrugged him off and pulled away.
Clarissa crossed her arms and announced, “I want to go home.”
Josh went over to her. “I’m fine. I’m calming down.”
Clarissa frowned. “I’m not. Take me home.”
“Okay, I’ll take you home.” Josh lifted a hand in a small goodbye, his expression hard. They left.
The front door closed behind them, and Hailey stared at it for a moment, her lips pressed tightly together, before rushing from the room.
Missy and Lexi exchanged an incredulous look. Neither of them had ever seen Josh truly mad and never to the point of a physical confrontation.
“Holy shit,” Lexi said.
“Men,” Missy said.
Lexi looked over Missy’s shoulder. “I’m going to check on Hailey.”
“I’ll catch up with you.” She turned toward Ben, who was standing now and taking off his black leather jacket, looking all sexy and pissed off.
She couldn’t resist.