Tempt (Cloverleigh Farms Next Generation Book 4)

The Cloverleigh Farms Christmas Eve party was in full swing.

Guests dressed in cocktail attire were milling around the inn’s spacious lobby, which was fully decked out for the holidays. A towering evergreen stood in one corner, dazzling with white lights and gold ornaments. A fire in the huge stone fireplace warmed the room, and stockings for every employee hung along the wide wooden banister of the staircase. Carols played on the inn’s sound system, a bar was set up at the reception desk, and long rectangular tables covered in white linen were laden with serving platters. Everyone was eating, drinking, chatting, and enjoying high spirits.

Except me.

I was doing my best to fake it, standing with Winnie and Dex near the tree, glass of wine in my hand, watching Hallie and Luna toss pieces of popcorn at each other’s open mouths from farther and farther away. Every now and again, I glanced at Winnie’s left hand and thought to myself, By this time tomorrow, she’ll be wearing that ring.

But mostly I kept my eyes on the door, watching for Zach to come in. We hadn’t spoken since he left my house over two weeks ago. Was he even in town? Maybe he’d decided not to come. Even if he was in town, the chances he’d actually show up at this party were slim to none. But Mason and Lori weren’t here yet, so anything was possible.

Felicity wandered over and tugged my sleeve. “Hey. Come here.”

I followed her around the corner, into the hallway that led to the bathrooms on one side and the inn’s bar on the other, which was closed and dark. “What?”

“I’m just checking on you.”

I shrugged. “I’m fine.”

“You sure?”

“Of course I’m not sure. I’m checking the door every thirty seconds, terrified he’s going to walk through it and equally terrified he won’t, and I’ll never see him again.”

She put her hand on my upper arm. “I’m sorry. I can see how upset you are. Can I do anything to help?”

“Remind me that we did the right thing. That carrying on with him was only going to lead to worse heartbreak down the road. That someday I’ll be as happy as you are with Hutton.”

“All of that is true,” she said.

“I know.” I took a shaky breath. “I know it is.”

“Come on, let’s go get some more wine.” She took my hand and led me over to the bar, where several bottles of wine were lined up. “Okay, what are you drinking? We’ve got pinot, we’ve got cab, we’ve got—”

“Oh, God.” My entire body stiffened. “He’s here.”

She glanced over her shoulder toward the door.

“Felicity,” I hissed. “Don’t look.”

“Sorry.” She met my eyes again. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

I wasn’t sure my knees wouldn’t buckle. He looked so good. He was dressed in all black, like he had been the night we met, and it set off the touch of silver in his beard and dark hair. Our eyes met, and everything in the room went still. My vision went gray at the edges. “I think I’m going to slip away to the ladies’ room for a minute.”

“Okay.”

Leaving my glass on the bar, I spun on my heel and made a beeline for the back hall. But instead of hitting the bathroom, I opened the door to the inn’s pub and went over to the windows on the opposite side of the dark room. The moon was full tonight, and I looked at it as I pressed my palms to the cold glass, then placed them on my hot cheeks.

“Millie?”

I didn’t turn around. I knew that voice. “Yes?”

“Can I talk to you?”

“In here?”

“I didn’t think you’d want anyone to see us.”

I forced myself to face him. “I wasn’t sure you’d come.”

“I wasn’t either.” He came closer, his hands in his pockets. “You look beautiful.”

“Thank you.” I looked down at the black, one-shouldered dress I wore, the same one I’d worn the night we met.

He closed the gap until he stood next to me at the window, bathed in the silvery light. “You’re wearing the dress.”

My heart thudded like a cannonball in my chest.

“You know I can’t breathe when you wear that dress.”

“Zach, I—”

“I have something for you.” He took a long, narrow box from the inside pocket of his coat. “And then I’ll leave you alone.”

“What is this?”

“Open it.”

With trembling fingers, I pulled off the ribbon and unwrapped the package. It was a hinged leather box. I held my breath for a moment.

“Go on,” he urged.

I opened the box and gasped. Resting on black velvet was the most beautiful necklace I’d ever seen, the diamond pendant and delicate filigree sparkling in the moonlight.

“Do you recognize it?” he asked.

I shook my head.

“It’s just like the one from that episode of Antiques Roadshow.” He couldn’t keep the excitement from his voice.

“Oh my God. Zach.” I covered my mouth with one hand. “You didn’t.”

“Can I put it on you?”

“No.” I shook my head and closed the box. “I can’t wear this. You can’t give this to me.”

“Why not?”

“Because we’re not together anymore. I don’t even know if we ever were.”

“Please, Millie.” He took the box from me, opened it up, and lifted the necklace from the velvet. Tucking the box back into his coat, he undid the clasp. “Let me give this to you and see you wearing it.”

“But why?” I’d started to cry.

“You know why,” he whispered. Stepping around me, he lowered his hands in front of my chest. “Lift up your hair for me.”

I did what he asked, even though I knew I shouldn’t, and let him fasten the clasp behind my neck. Then he pressed his lips to my bare shoulder. I closed my eyes, wishing this moment could have a different ending.

I heard a noise by the door and turned to see a shadow moving away.

Dropping my hands, I let my hair fall and turned to face him. “You have to go,” I begged. “Now, please. Before someone sees us.”

His eyes held mine, then dropped to my chest, where the diamond pendant glimmered. “Keep it,” he said, his voice thick. “It was meant for you.”

Then he walked out, leaving me alone to cry. I turned to the window and saw my reflection, the necklace and my tears shining like stars in the dark.