Page 81 of To Have and to Scold

Chapter Thirty-Two

Dallas

Even before I crack open the small, black velvet box that skidded to the floor during our heated moment that, really is,ahem, on me, I instinctively know what’s inside.

“Lila’s grandmother’s earrings!” I give Beck one more quick kiss and gaze at them again. “They really are something else.”

Tiny pearls knotted together to form a dangling teardrop shape. They’re going to look exquisite on Lila.

“Why are they here?” Beck asks.

“I don’t know, but I’ve got to get them to the mayor as soon as possible, and then I’ve got to go help Mary.”

“Here.” Beck holds out his hand. “I’ll take these to her. You go to Mary.”

I hand him the box. “Thanks. And don’t let Lila see them. They’re supposed to be a surprise.”

“I’ll be careful,” he says, slipping the box in his jacket pocket and making a shushing noise as he places his finger at his lips.

I swallow thickly. I have to tell him. “Also, Martha isn’t happy about the teens being at Willow Wood last night. Or that Valentina Rice was injured there. Beck, Valentina’s father is on the YMCA board.”

He blows out a long breath and shakes his head. “That’s not good.”

“I know. I’m sorry. It’ll work out somehow.” But the fizziness in my gut is only churning more and more. Not only is Beck’s YMCA wing in jeopardy, but will Mayor Dobbs give Shoshana a sour report because we allowed the Prom dinner to take place here?

“Itwillwork out. And right now, you can’t think about all that.” His gaze holds agony, but his voice is firm. Strong. And it calms me.

I thank him then rush out of the bathroom, the scent of the caterer’s food hitting my nose, right as something else almost hits my nose. Or rather, someone else.

“Mayor Dobbs!” I shriek and stop so abruptly that Beck smacks right into me from behind.

The mayor glances at the bathroom door, then at Beck, and finally back at me. “Hello, you two.” Her gaze keeps going between us, like she’s trying to suss us out. “I just need the restroom.”

I give an exaggerated laugh. She must think I’m insane. “Well, here you are. We warmed it up for you,” I say, making a movement with my hands likeTa Da!Why, Dallas? Why? “Uh, Beck has something for you,” I say, feeling my cheeks warm.

The mayor is frowning, staring at us. When Beck brings the earring box forward, she gasps. “Oh! Where was it?”

Finally, Beck speaks. “On the bathroom sink.”

The corners of her mouth curve up in a smile. “I’m relieved. Thank you.” Without another word, she knits her brows together and moves past us toward the bathroom.

I don’t have time to analyze how awkward that was. I need to find Mary. I take a second to toss a fleeting look at Beck, but his eyes widen. “Hold up,” he says, scowling as if he’s concentrating hard. “Your lipstick’s smeared.” He brings his thumb to my cheek next to my mouth and rubs my skin in circles.

I suck in a breath. Martha Dobbs caught us coming out of the bathroom—together—with my lipstick smeared?

Embarrassment floods me from head to toe.

Here, Beck, hold my headset while I go lose my mind.

But I can’t go lose my mind. I have to grit my teeth and continue on. It’s what I do. Even while my sense of foreboding gets worse and worse.

I’m only three steps away from the back doors to the patio when I hear a blood-curdling scream coming from the beach.

This is going to be a long night.

*****

The theme song to Ghostbusters hits my brain and it’s all I can think about as I survey the wreckage in front of me.

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