would bring in close to half of what he owed, except it took time. He was amazed at how quickly one could lose a bundle of money versus it slowly trickling back. But he had no one but himself to blame.
Slumping in his chair, he scanned the room. Anything else beat concentrating on the unchanging numbers. His gaze came to a screeching halt when he viewed the diplomas on his office wall. Top-ten college. Graduated summa cum laude. His CPA accreditation. First in his class.
What good was it all now? If word got out that he’d lost his own family’s money, his reputation would be useless. Unless he fixed the situation. Fast.
This morning, when his sister balked at selling the shop, he’d been relieved. If his folks reconciled their true financial situation, they would learn money was missing. Demand explanations. Wanting his parents to be set when they retired was a lame excuse for his losing their money, even if it was true. They would be disappointed in him, with cause. He’d let them down. Thank goodness they didn’t have a clue.
But instead, Kady’s argument about running the shop saved him. Changing their parents’ minds bought him more time. They could go on a much-needed vacation and enjoy themselves. He would make it up to them no matter how long it took.
Kady managing the shop and weddings would keep her in the dark as well. He actually agreed with her vision, was happy she finally settled down to make a wise career choice. They didn’t usually see eye to eye, but her plan to build up their wedding market share made sound financial sense. Her business plan was good, as were her projections. She could actually make a name for The Lavish Lily since his parents wanted out. He was proud of her.
He only hoped he hadn’t ruined her dreams.
* * *
KADY’S EYES BURNED as the bonfire smoke blew in her direction. She blinked, which only caused tears to well. What was she? A smoke magnet? It seemed smoke had radar and blew in her direction, no matter where she sat. “Why do I let you guys talk me into coming out here?” she muttered, her throat drying up as the smoke engulfed her again.
“Because you need a night out with the girls,” her friend Nealy answered.
“You’re so busy conquering the world of wedding flowers, we don’t see you,” Lilli added.
“Except this isn’t a girls’ night out. It’s the entire town of Cypress Pointe out. And you’re both here with your significant others.” Coughing, she grabbed the water bottle from Lilli’s outstretched hand.
“You make that sound like a bad thing,” Lilli said.
“Look, bonfires are special to both of you. I get it. You have wonderful memories associated here. All I do is end up going home with a scratchy throat and smelly clothes and hair.”
Nealy laughed. “You are so not a romantic.”
Lilli tapped a finger against her chin. “We need to find you a guy.”
“Whoa. Put the brakes on.” Kady held up her hand. “I’m not looking.”
“That’s your problem. You should be.”
“Why bother? I know most of the single men in town. Dated some of them. It didn’t happen.”
“That’s no reason to close yourself off,” Nealy argued.
Sure it was. Most of the guys she’d dated were as busy as she, always canceling at the last minute with work obligations. She got it, but for once she’d love to be put first in a relationship. Take Brad, for instance.
She’d trusted him. Thought she’d fallen hard for the country-club general manager she’d met while attending a business meeting there. She’d been talking with the event coordinator about her floral services when Brad walked into the office. They’d clicked. One date led to another and soon they were an item. Kady couldn’t believe how well they’d synced.
Until they didn’t.
After three months of assurances that he wanted to settle down, Brad jumped at an opportunity to move to a big club in Texas and hadn’t asked her to come with him. Worst of all, he’d bragged about acquiring only quality vendors, like Kady, to land the job.
While still in Florida, he’d promised she would be the exclusive florist for the club, which quickly fell through when the new general manager didn’t agree. Not only had her heart been bruised, but Brad had also cost her business she’d been counting on, while using her to advance his own career. After that, her trust level in men plummeted.
Since then, having gone on too many bad dates to count, Kady decided she and dating were like oil and water. Didn’t mix well. She accepted that. Why couldn’t her friends? Running her business and building a brand were the most important relationships in her life right now.
“You two are disgustingly happy and I’m thrilled for you both—truly I am. But not everyone is looking for their soul mate.”
Nealy leveled a glance at Lilli. “That is true. Things weren’t smooth sailing for either of us when we started out with our guys.”
“But they are now.”
Lilli’s smitten expression made Kady laugh. “Spoken like a bride-to-be.”
“The bride-to-be who has venue choices to make,” Nealy reminded her. As her event planner, she’d been after Lilli to make decisions so she could get the wedding ball rolling.
“And flowers to select,” Kady added.
“I will.” Lilli’s eyes went all dreamy. “We’re enjoying the moment.”
Nealy sputtered, “You’re making Max crazy. The PI is ready to drag you down the aisle.”
“There is that, too.”
Kady smiled at her childhood friend. She was delighted about the upcoming nuptials, especially since she’d be doing the flowers for the wedding and all the other related events. If Lilli ever set a date, that was.
“Hey, look. Dane’s waving at me.” Nealy stood, waving back to the man who owned the Grand Cypress Hotel, home to this year’s florist convention. “I should see what he wants.”
Lilli followed, brushing sand off the seat of her jeans. “And I should find Max.”
“Nice,” Kady mumbled, still seated. “You drag me down here then dump me.”
“We’ll be back,” Nealy assured her as the two took off. Yeah, right. From past experience, she knew once those two got with their men, there was no separating them. She smiled.
The wind picked up again, blowing the acrid smoke in Kady’s direction. Her nose burned and she blinked back fresh tears. Pushing up from the sand, she was ready to call it a night. The entire population of Cypress Pointe might enjoy the revelry of a bonfire on the beach, but Kady was not one of them.
Zipping up the jacket she’d layered over a sweatshirt and jeans, she coughed again as she weaved through the crowd, headed to the parking lot. She passed a group of laughing guys, swerving out of their way when she heard a deep male voice.
“Kady?”
She
