Page 83 of Beautiful Dreamer

“I will.”

“Sven, did you make sure the Ketterman Group will be inattendance? I hear they have several buyers up our alley.”

He nodded. “Talked with them this morning, and they’re excited tosee the unit.”

“Perfect.” With the details in place she could relax and prep hernotes for the event. She would make a brief speech and then spend the eveningschmoozing and giving tours. If all went well, their inventory should cutitself in half within the next forty-eight hours.

Once the meeting wrapped up, she turned to Karen. “Did my sistercall back?”

Karen winced. “Not yet.”

“I’ve left her two messages. It’s weird.”

“Want me to try her again for you?”

Devyn eased her attaché onto her aching shoulder. “Please.”

As her car service drove her to Twenty-Four Walker, she ruminatedon her last conversation with Jill two nights prior when she’d been on a highfrom the Summer Solstice fund-raiser.

“You should have seen the ballroom,” she’d said excitedly.“Decorated to the hilt with yellow and orange fabric drapes schwooping from theceiling.”

“Schwooping, huh?” Devyn tried to imagine it and not wish toobadly that she’d been there herself.

“Yes. The place felt entirely summery. I loved it. They also employedthis specialty lighting concept that effected a very specific glow. It lookedjust like sunshine. You should have seen it.”

“That sounds amazing. I need that for one of my brokers’ opens.”

“You do,” Jill said. “Oh, and Elizabeth wore a beautiful greengown that was not only gorgeous on her but radiated in the midst of all of thesummer décor. Have you talked to her recently?”

“I haven’t. I need to.” Devyn closed her eyes tight. She could seeElizabeth just as Jill described. She’d kept her as far from her mind as shecould, but the second she let the tiniest thought invade, she felt thesqueezing in her chest. It was near painful how much she missed her. She’dstill not called her back and hated herself for it, but the fear of backslidinginto an emotional shambles had her walls firmly in place. As the days crept by,she wondered how she’d ever explain herself now. Hearing Elizabeth’s name alonebrought it all rushing back in a breathtaking gut punch.

“Shall I drop you in front of the building?” her driver asked. “Orwould you prefer the side entrance?”

“The front would be great.”

She checked her phone. No return call from Jill, which was sounlike her. She shrugged it aside and forced herself to brighten as she exitedthe car. No telling who could be watching, and it was important that she walkwith confidence and grace, no matter how much turmoil shifted inside her, nomatter how much she dreamed of a woman in a green dress, radiating.

* * *

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.

Devyn swatted the bee away from her face, turned to Elizabeth, andlaughed. “Man. I think he’s got a thing for me.”

Elizabeth grinned and raised an eyebrow. “You know what? I don’tblame him at all.” She leaned in for a kiss just in time for: Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.Devyn bolted upright, disoriented. She blinked and looked around, running ahand through her damp hair. She was sweating. She was also in her bedroom.Sunlight streamed in from the picture window. She closed her eyes and swallowed,her throat dry. That’s right. She’d taken a long morning after the party togive herself a chance to catch up on sleep. She glanced at her nightstand wherethe phone continued to buzz.

“Yes?” she said, without bothering with the readout.

“Devyn. It’s Charlie.”

She searched her brain for which of the brokers had been namedCharlie. “How are you, Charlie?” she said, already on and in professional mode.“What can I do for you?”

“I’m calling about Jill.”

Devyn went still, and her brain stuttered, trying to catch up. Ifnothing else, the mention of her sister’s name woke her up entirely. This wasCharlie Charlie.LiquorStoreCharlie. “Is everything okay? Jill hasn’t returned my calls.”

“That’s not good.” He paused on the line. “I was calling to see ifshe was in Philadelphia with you. Haven’t seen her in a couple days.”

She blinked. “No. She’s not.”

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