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“No, you aren’t.” His lips brushed her temple. “If you were mad, you’d get that cute little wrinkle between your eyebrows.” He laughed. “There it is.”
“You’re the worst.”
His smile was devastating. She’d never been a good liar.
Lunch was served on the lawn, a long buffet of delicious food. Teams congratulated Amelia and Leo on their win, and Amelia got the sense that the dud prize was actually coveted among the group. She got more slaps on the back and vigorous handshakes than any of the other winners, and Trudy actually seemed a little jealous.
Given the choice, Amelia would still take Vienna, though.
Leo went around taking orders from everyone so he could call the pizza place. When he leaned over to write them down on the back of the envelope that had held their prize, he stuck out his tongue ever so slightly on the left side. It was cute.
“I know you were following me,” Vanessa said quietly.
It took all of Amelia’s self-control not to jump. She sipped the water bottle she’d nabbed from the drinks table and popped a brow at the other woman. “Excuse me?”
“Earlier. I know you and Leo followed me to that room.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“My father is a gambling addict,” Vanessa blurted. For a brief moment, her gaze was raw. Then she straightened her spine and sneered at Amelia. “There. Happy? He just had a bad relapse, and he needs money. It’s been…a tough year.”
“Oh. I’m so sorry.”
“Spare me.” Vanessa flicked a piece of lint off her shoulder. “I don’t need your pity. I’ve been dealing with this for years, and it’s no different from any other time. I wouldn’t send him a dime, except he’s my father and he’d be on the street otherwise. All right?”
“You sound like a good daughter.”
Vanessa snorted, beautiful lips curled into a snarl. “And I don’t need you spreading my business to everyone in the company, so keep it to yourselves and stop following me around, yeah?”
Amelia nodded, chastened. “Of course. I’m sorry.”
This was Amelia’s chance to ask about Ari. She could find out what they were talking about the day of the scavenger hunt, what she meant by not getting involved with him.
Vanessa held Amelia’s gaze. She was fearsome, beautiful, and extremely scary. Words stuck in Amelia’s throat.
The other woman pursed her lips. “And tell your fiancé not to forget my vegetarian pizza.”
As she walked away, Leo approached. “What was that about?”
“I don’t think Vanessa took the ring,” Amelia answered quietly.
“No?”
“Her father has a problem with gambling,” she told him, “but it didn’t sound like he’d had a big loss or anything. Sounded like an ongoing thing. Not a good enough motive.”
“You still like Ari for it?” Leo asked. They were a little ways apart from everyone, and it gave them the chance to look at all the guests and staff. Nadia even made an appearance, heading for Fred’s side on the other side of the gathering. She still looked sad, but she was putting on a brave face. Her cast hadn’t changed color since the first day of the retreat, and she cradled her dog in her good arm.
“I don’t know. The list is weird. Why would previous clients of Goodhew want to buy a ring? It makes no sense.”
“Let’s call one of them and find out.”
Amelia’s gaze widened. “What?”
“Tonight. After dinner. We’ll call one of the names on the list.”
“No,” Amelia said, then poked Leo in the chest. “Youwill call one of them. I’ll listen and deny any involvement when you get caught.”
Leo grinned. “Fine.” He presented her with the list of requests for tonight’s pizza party. “You can make this call instead.”
