The Naked Truth (The Honeybrook Hamdens)

“What?”

“I was on the phone with Amy. She said Julie isn’t going to school.”

“She’s what?”

“She’s not going to school. Apparently she just plans to stay in Honeybrook and get a job.”

Something that felt a lot like dread sank to the pit of his stomach while something else—anger—bubbled to the top. “I don’t know anything about that. She hasn’t told me.”

There was only one reason Julie

would give up school, throw away her dreams. And he’d be damned if he stood by and let her do it.

“Well you have to see her straight.” Luke interrupted his thoughts.

“Me?”

“She listens to you. You have to do something.”

Chase pursed his lips. “Yeah, all right. I think I know what to do.”

Present Day

Chase stood behind the curtain of the fashion show, watching as one celebrity entourage after another poured into the abandoned warehouse. He’d gotten here early enough to bypass the setup of the red carpet outside the event, even early enough so that nobody—not even the custodians—knew he was there.

But all that was about to change.

At least, that was the plan as soon as he caught sight of Julie.

As time went on, though, he was quickly beginning to lose all hope of that happening. The models would be due backstage any moment and he had to get out of the way before one of them suddenly recognized the carpenter from the day before.

Holding his breath, he glanced past the newest celebrity arrival and then—finally!—caught sight of Amy Hamden in a sun hat two sizes bigger than her head, her sleek blond hair hidden beneath its wide brim. If he hadn’t known her so well, he might have mistaken her for a celebrity herself, clad in a flouncy white sundress.

Careful to slip into the crowd, he scooted his way around one person, and then another, until finally he was at Amy’s side.

“Where’s your sister?” he asked, realizing too late he should have at least said hello first.

Amy jumped, then held a hand to her heart. “Jesus, Chase, you can’t do that to people.”

“Sorry,” he said. “I just—“

“Wanted to apologize?”

“Not exactly,” he said, then added, “What do you know about…”

“Enough.” Amy said. “Anyway, Julie won’t be in the crowd. She has to be backstage for last looks on all the girls. She’ll get to mingle at the end, but that’s about all.”

“That can’t be true, can it?”

“I’m afraid so.” Another voice sounded behind them and he turned to find Mrs. Hamden in a smart dress suit, her grey pin curls perfectly combed into place.

“Okay, then I have to—“ The lights flickered, and Chase looked around. The room was nearly full now and almost everyone was taking their seats.

“Chase, why don’t you just come and sit with us during the show? You can talk to Julie afterward, we promise.” Mrs. Hamden took his arm in hers and led him toward a little section of chairs that had been set aside. Luke was already there, waiting for them, looking just about as tired as Chase felt.

“But she has to see—“

“I’m sure she will,” Amy said. “Just relax.”