Page 66 of Wedding Bells in Silverwood

“Thank you. But for now, let’s just keep it between us—and anyone within earshot of our table, I guess—until the wedding. We haven’t told anyone yet. Not even Avery.”

“Fine,” Holly agreed.

“I’ll drink to that,” Kim joked, lifting her glass. “Our lips are sealed.”

Two hours later, their spirits were high, and their bellies were full. Kim announced there was a VIP room in a club in the nearest city waiting for them. Holly would have normally called it a night, but exhilaration kept her going.

The night air was chilly and crisp compared to the warm restaurant. Kim sang a song while they made their way to the limousine, and Lucy tried to pull off a dance move that probably would have been executed better with less champagne in her system.

A shadowy figure watching them in the parking lot caught Holly’s interest. She gasped and froze in place, her hand flying to her chest.

“Grayson?”

“Hello, Holly.”

Dressed in all black, Grayson stood with his hands in his coat pockets. His lips were curled into a smug smile, his chin tilted upward. His dark-blond hair was slicked back, and his dark eyes were piercing.

A shiver ran down Holly’s spine.Am I imagining things? Is he really here?

Judging by everyone else’s expression, Grayson was no illusion.

“Wh-what are you doing here?” She didn’t want Kim to be right. He couldn’t possibly be in Silverwood to ruin her wedding, could he?

Kim set her jaw, her hands forming fists.

Holly held a hand up. “No, it’s okay. Let me handle this.” She swiveled and took three steps toward him. “What’s the meaning of this, Grayson?”

Grayson smirked. “Don’t you know, sweetheart? Doesn’t the fact that I’m here show you how much I care for you?”

Holly ground her teeth. “You don’t care about anyone but yourself.”

“How can you say that? Don’t you know I’m risking my job by being here instead? Don’t you see the trouble you cause?”

“That’s on you. Not me.”

Grayson reached for her, and she pulled away.

“Aw, come on, baby.” He flashed his devilish smile. “Don’t be that way.”

“What way would that be? Sensible? Full of self-respect? Smart enough not to fall for your tricks?”

“Difficult.” He scoffed. “I mean, I went through the trouble of tracking you down to this middle of nowhere, Podunk little town, and you don’t have the decency to have a civilized conversation with me.”

“Do you hear yourself? How is stalking me civilized? We’re not together and haven’t been for over a year. There was no reason to track me down.”

“Of course there was.” Grayson jutted out a finger at her, his nostrils flaring. “I had to stop you from making the biggest mistake of your life. Well, the second-biggest mistake.”

Holly shook her head. “How did you even find me?”

Grayson’s gaze went momentarily to Kim. “Maybe some people should pick better passwords, especially when they leave their offices unlocked.”

Kim’s jaw dropped before she muttered a curse.

Holly rolled her eyes and turned away from him. “This is ridiculous. You’re beyond deranged, and I’m not even listening to you anymore.”

“Oh, really, Holly? You don’t think I can hold your attention?” His voice got louder the farther away she walked. “Did the caterer getting fired get your attention? Or the dress shop fire?”

She gasped and pivoted on her heel. “What?”

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