When I Say Yes (Necklace Trilogy 3)

“Which I understand. But if you’re right and she got into trouble, my problem with all of this is that you’re in the middle.”

“I’m really not.”

“Unless you are. We have no idea what she was talking about, but I don’t like how it sounds. Someone else will get hurt, like I got hurt. Those words, Allie. I do not want that someone else to be you.”

“Which is why I need to figure out how to talk to Tyler. On that note, are you going to comment about what Tyler said about you or us?”

“What did it mean to you, Allie?”

“He doesn’t know who we are together, Dash. I do.”

“What did you say to him about us? Don’t tell me you said nothing.”

“All I said was that I’m all in. I’m not going anywhere.”

He’s silent a moment and then he says, “I’ll see you at lunch, cupcake.”

“Okay. Yes. But for the record, I know you’re bothered by all of this and I want to talk about it. But you need to go write and I have to work.”

“Yes,” he says. “We need to talk. And yes, to all the rest, too.”

“I love you, Dash.”

“I love you, too, Allie. More than you know.”

He disconnects.

He is not pleased. Tyler is not pleased. And I have this sensation of being inside a bubbling pot about to boil over.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

The minute Katie realizes I’m back at work, she’s at my side and drilling me with questions about the auction. Everyone seems to find me shortly after she does, from Millie Roberts at the charity organization, to clients participating in the auction with various inquiries. This makes copying the journal in private a challenge. Thankfully, I remember that the upstairs rooftop where the event is to be held not only has a copy machine in one corner, it’s also closed for use to the employees. With this in mind, just before lunch, I tell everyone I’m leaving and instead head there, purse on my shoulder, journal in my purse.

Once I’m inside the rooftop area, I give it a once over and decide it really is going to be a perfect spot for the auction and thankfully, I got notice today that the hotel refunded us completely. Now invitations can be printed and delivered, which needs to happen pretty much now. With all this and more bouncing around in my head, I rush to the copy machine, plop my purse on the table next to it, and pull out the journal. I’m deep into the process, almost done, in fact, when I hear, “You must be the new Allison.”

I jump with the unfamiliar male voice and look up to find a tall, good-looking man with sandy brown hair and striking green eyes standing beside me. “Sorry,” he says. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“I—ah, who are you? No one is allowed in here.”

“You’re here,” he says, as I turn to face him and him me.

“Yes, but being here is a part of my job.”

“I work here as well,” he assures me.

I’m aware of how tall and broad he is, how well-fitted his suit is, which could indicate he’s a principal in the company, or not. I don’t know. Which is why I don’t scold him again. “I am, in fact, Allison,” I say, prodding him for an introduction, which he offers.

“I’m Benjamin. Benji to my friends, which I’d like to call you.” He laughs. “I hated that nickname in my youth, but I guess in time all things can grow on you.”

He’s mid-thirties, I believe, perhaps older, and I do know the name. I just don’t know why.

“I had a few of my clients donate to the auction,” he states, as if he’s reading my mind, and that’s when I realize he’s one of the agents.

“Right,” I say, remembering an email or two exchanged with him. “I remember. Thank you for doing that.”

“My pleasure. I’ll help any way I can.” He glances at the copy machine. “Looks like Allison left you some notes.”

I quickly grab the papers and straighten them, just to look like I’m working, not hiding the words on the page. “Lists and lists of contacts as potential donors. Katie is going to split them up with me.”

“I always thought that journal of hers was personal. But knowing Allison, it makes sense it was work. She was nothing if not devoted to this place.”

“You knew her well?”

“We knew each other and I know this is a big job and you’ve been thrown into this. I can have my secretary help.”

“No, but thank you,” I say surprised by the generous offer, but also a bit suspicious. “We’re a good team, me and Katie. Tyler assigned her to help me full-time for now. We can get it all done.”

“Tyler,” he states, a quirk to his lips. “You actually call him Tyler? No one else is allowed to. What’d you do to earn that honor?”