Up in Flames (Rosemary Beach 13)

I could keep on running and toss it onto the ground, or I could read it and then toss it into the ocean for him to witness. I decided I liked the idea of tossing it into the water. Opening the envelope, I saw an equally nice piece of cream-colored stationery with a handwritten note.

Moderate fitness minus excess. One of the things that makes you beautiful.

That was it. Nothing more. I reread it to make sure I understood, then frowned and glanced up to see if he was watching me. He wasn’t. I was confused by it and decided to hold on to it until I understood what he was trying to say.

The next day, when I opened my eyes, I saw the pink envelope with the strange note from Major inside it lying beside me on the nightstand. I’d read it over and over again last night, completely confused. He hadn’t texted or called. Nothing. He’d just given me that note.

I wasn’t going to think about it any more today. I didn’t want to waste my time on something that had to do with Major. He wasn’t important in my life any longer. His strange note was meant to make me think about him. Smart move, but I wasn’t buying into it.

Major

She didn’t call or text. I had watched her from the shadows, and she had looked confused before putting the note back in the envelope and turning to run back the way she had come. I had hoped whatever it said would send her to my doorstep, but it hadn’t. It hadn’t helped at all. Whatever “man’s apology” Cope had come up with sucked.

My phone buzzed, and I glanced down to see a message from Cope.

She’s at the clubhouse having lunch. Watch her until she licks her lips as she speaks. She does it often. Won’t take long. Then walk over and hand her the purple envelope. No words. Just leave.

Another weird, random command. But he was my boss, and Nan wasn’t speaking to me, so I was willing to do whatever he said. That or admit defeat. I wasn’t sure DeCarlo would just let me go free now that I knew so much. I had to finish this.

I pulled my truck into the club parking lot and passed the valet to self-park. I wasn’t exactly dressed for the place, but I was Mase Colt-Manning’s cousin, so they let me in. That, and I’d fucked most of the waitresses.

Nan

Knox was passing through, which meant she was visiting her elderly grandparents to remind them that she was their only grandchild and adored them. I was sure this had everything to do with her inheritance. When she’d called to suggest we do lunch, I had wanted to decline the offer, but she was a distraction, and I needed them. Lots of them.

So here I was, sitting in the club, listening to her chatter on about her fun-filled wonderful future, and pretending I gave a shit. I smiled when she asked questions and tried to answer them in a way that didn’t make her more curious. Telling her that I was positive I’d spend the remainder of my day watching Gossip Girl didn’t sound like a good idea.

After answering her last question, I glanced up to see someone coming toward me and thought it was the waitress. I was hoping so, because I needed another mint julep. Instead, it was Major, and Knox’s sudden silence confirmed that she’d spotted him, too. He looked like he had just walked off the pages of GQ. He stopped in front of me and held out his hand, this time with a purple envelope. I took it. I was curious, of course, and refusing it would cause a scene. I forced a smile and started to say thank you, like I’d been expecting it and knew what it was, but he turned and walked away before I could.

“Who. Was. That?” Knox asked in awe.

I didn’t feel like explaining, so I shrugged. “No one important.”

Once I had dodged her questions concerning Major, she finally went back to babbling about herself. I noticed her eyes going to the purple envelope often, and I wanted to cram it into my purse several times in hopes that she’d forget it.

When I was finally back in my car, safe from the eyes and ears of nosy-ass people, I opened the envelope to find another handwritten note on the same stationery.

The tip of your tongue across your lip. A sweep, not a lick. One of the things that make you beautiful.

That was it. All it said. My tongue instantly went to my lips in habit, and I froze, wondering if that was what he was talking about. If so, why? What was his purpose?

The purple envelope now joined the pink one on my nightstand. I’d reread both before going to bed last night. I slipped on the heels I was wearing to Blaire’s baby shower at the Carters’ house. Hanging out at my ex’s house with his perfect little wife who was also my half sister wasn’t my idea of fun. But it was for Rush. I was going.

I had no doubt I’d love this child as much as Nate when she got here. The gift, which I had wrapped in pink paper with a satin sheen, wasn’t all I planned on giving my niece. But this would be her first present from me. Turning from the envelopes, I picked up the gift and glanced at myself in the full-length mirror.

My dress was simple, and the cream fabric hugged my skin. It made me appear confident and sure of myself. Something I definitely was not. My clothes, however, would lie for me. I’d learned that trick from a young age.

Major

Mase pulled up beside me just as I was climbing into my truck. I had thought he and Reese were back in Texas. They didn’t normally stay here for long periods of time. He had a ranch to run and horses to train.

“What are you still here for?” I asked, glad to see him.

“Baby shower, remember? Rush and Blaire’s. Harlow is hosting it, and I had to clear out. Figured I’d come see you.”

An afternoon spent with Mase talking about anything but my damn job sounded good. “Want to go get a beer?” I asked.