sit on down.” Veronica glared harder and Charlize opted for the seat on Mikey’s other side, away from her. Mikey gave her a pleasant smile. “I have an updated script for today.” Of course he did. The updates never ended. She held out her hand, but Mikey shook his head. “It’s better as a surprise.”
But was it? Her eyes went to Veronica, who was visibly pouting. The woman wasn’t happy at the appearance of a fifth wheel, and Charlize’s initial sympathy for her evaporated. Mikey was too good for her anyway. Charly squared her shoulders. “I saw you at the pawnshop last night.”
Veronica tilted her head to slant a worried look at Mikey before twisting her lips into a scowl. “I saw you with Aaron. You caused quite the scene.”
That did it. Charlize wasn’t going to let Veronica change the subject now. “What were you doing with the ruby necklace?”
Dominic and Darcy sat down just in time to overhear. “A ruby necklace?” Dominic asked with a sneer. He made a shadow next to her in his dark suit. “This isn’t the one Aaron gave you, is it?”
“Yeah, the one you stole from me,” Charly said, though when she glanced over at Veronica’s pale cheeks, she wondered if it had been Veronica all along. She tried to remember more about that night and only got memories of Aaron. She tried to blink those away, even as Aaron entered the room, looking suave in a chocolate brown jacket. He stuffed one hand deeply into his pocket as he surveyed the room like he came straight out of The Great Gatsby. His intense gaze caught her and he moved towards them, his movements smooth in his brown and white leather oxfords. Her heart pounded in her chest.
“She had the necklace?” Dominic asked, breaking through her temporary distraction.
Charlize swiveled away and tried to focus on Veronica again, though her every sense was on Aaron. She could hear him getting closer. “Yes, she had it. I just want to know why Veronica took the necklace to the pawnshop. Aren’t we using it in the game?”
Veronica’s lips flattened like her hand was stuck in the cookie jar while Dominic peppered Charlize with questions. “When was this? Where was this pawn shop?”
“Last night. The one by the funnel cake place, just down the street.”
Dominic’s smile curled up like a sneaky Cheshire cat.
Aaron took a seat next to Charlize. She felt his warmth as he moved closer, and she stiffened. She’d made herself clear last night. If he refused to admit his feelings for her in public, then she just couldn’t trust his intentions. She inhaled the scent of sandalwood and fresh cucumber from his manly soap, and she fought her instinct to move closer. If she didn’t protect her heart, then no one would. Gritting her teeth, she scooted away, refusing to look over at him.
Mikey smiled pleasantly and handed the scripts all around. Veronica took hers in a tight grip, her eyes still locked with Dominic’s, who turned smugger by the minute. Charly was confused. What was with them and this ruby necklace? Her senses went on high alert as she tried to read the looks between them before Veronica tore her gaze away to her script.
Servers from the catering company set porcelain saucers on the table. Matching dainty cups joined those next, clinking prettily. Steaming pots of tea and hot chocolate were set in the middle of the table, along with scones and biscuits, jams, mints, and creams, making the most delectable spread Charly had ever seen. Once again, Mikey had gone all out. His grin grew wider as the refreshments piled higher.
He nudged Charly. “Would you do the honors?”
Seriously? Charly’s only experience with tea parties had been with her childhood dolls, but at Mikey’s kind urging to play the hostess, she turned to Aaron and was immediately sorry. His beautiful eyes rested on hers, and her heart lurched. “Would you like something to drink?” she asked.
“None for me. I’ll just drink in the sight of you.”
Her forehead creased. Had the script started already? She fumbled with her paper and saw that Veronica had the first line... after Charlize served the tea as hostess. This was completely improv. She turned a stern look on Aaron. “Fine by me.” She turned to Darcy sitting next to him who ordered a cup. Charly poured it and then, trying to avoid Aaron, reached around him to hand Darcy her drink. That was a mistake. Her arm slid over