“He is your shadow. I never see you without him unless you’re at the library working, and there you’re surrounded by people, so he’d know you’re safe.”
“I don’t know if that’s sweet or a blow to my ego.” I huff. That’s why he spent the night. Damn it. I knew things were progressing fast with us, but I hadn’t cared. I’m thinking now it’s not what I thought after all.
“The man is into you. He's so worried about something happening to you he’s up your ass all the time.”
“Good point.” I stand from my chair. My eyes flick to the dress I’m supposed to wear tonight.
“People are arriving.” My mom pokes her head into the back room Eve and I are using to change and get ready. I’ve been here all day. Crane was even here up until an hour ago helping me set things up before he ran home to shower. That was after Eve showed up. I’m sure he would still be here if I were alone. Do they really think someone is targeting me?
“We’ll be right out,” I tell my mom.
“You both look so beautiful,” she says before slipping back out of the room.
“Do not tell her about this tonight.” I point my finger at Eve. Her lips purse. “I don’t want her to worry.”
“Fine, but this isn’t over.”
“If someone is stalking me—and that’s a big ‘if’—why would they do mean things? Shouldn't they be sending flowers or candy if they’re trying to get my attention? This is the opposite.”
“You’re right. This person is pissed, and you know why?”
“No.” How would I? It hadn’t dawned on me until now that I was being targeted.
“Because you’ve got yourself a boyfriend. This all started when Crane entered the picture.”
“A boyfriend?” I smile, loving the sound of that. Not that Crane is a boy, but still. It implies he’s mine.
“Focus.” She snaps her fingers in front of my face.
“You’re right. There’s a holiday party to be had.” I start to wiggle out of my clothes to put the dress on. Eve does the same.
“All I’m saying is this person is clearly pissed that someone has taken you off the market.”
“But that would mean it’s someone from here, and everyone from Snow Hills is sweet. I’ve known most of these people the majority of my life.”
“Right,” Eve says dryly. I turn so she can zip me up into the gold dress that fits me like a glove.
“This isn’t fair. I stand out like a freaking bright star, and you’re wearing a black dress.” At least hers fits her snugly too.
“You are the star of this whole town, Liza.”
I slip into my heels before I step in front of the mirror to get a full look at myself. “Oh my snowflakes,” I say when I see myself.
Eve comes to stand behind me. She towers over me in the mirror.
“‘Oh snowflakes’? I think it’s more like ‘Oh, I'm losing my virginity tonight.’”
“Eve!” I shout.
“What? You thought it too.”
“Maybe a little,” I admit, my face warming.
Two nights Crane and I shared a bed, and he hasn’t tried to have sex with me. We’ve done other things but not that. It’s because of that I have a sliver of doubt that he’s not as into me as I think, and he’s more protecting me than anything. He’s a good man. I’m sure he’d do that for anyone he thought was in danger. Not the sharing their bed part but the protecting them.
“Come on. Let's go give everyone a look at what they’re bidding on.” She sighs.
“This was your idea,” I remind her.
“That was before.” She hooks her arm with mine, leading me out of the back and toward the party. My eyes search the room for Crane. Half the town is already here. I pull out my phone and check the time and text him.
I try not to fidget in my dress as Eve and I make our way slowly around the room talking to different people. Everyone is commenting not only on my dress but also the decorations. I think they’ve turned out the best they ever have.
“Crane did all these,” I tell Clark, motioning toward the display over the desserts.
“And where is Crane?” he asks.
“We’re wondering the same thing,” Eve mutters under her breath.
“He ran home to change. He spent all day helping me.” I rush to his defense. He’s brand new to this town and has helped so much.
“Auction is at seven.” Clark taps his watch. “Only five minutes to go.”
“Yeah, we should go get all the ladies in the back and roll this thing out,” Eve says, pulling me away from Clark. “He’s on my suspect list,” she whispers. “He kept looking down your dress.”
“What?” I glance down at my boobs. I barely have a sliver of cleavage showing.
“You shouldn’t report it to him now that I’m thinking on it.”