Her Billionaire's Murder Mystery - Stephanie Fowers Page 0,60

we don’t really have a jewelry thief on our hands.”

“Charlize!” Autumn lifted her hand. “I told you that sapphire necklace would go great with those blue eyes of yours. You look stunning.” She gave Charly and Aaron quick hugs.

Aaron was still embarrassed that Veronica had made her redo the pieces, but Autumn waved away his apologies. She was all professionalism, unlike his personal assistant. In fact, Veronica had acted very strange lately. She’d run from the Murder Mystery before it had been finished. They all had more lines, not that anyone was saying the right ones. What was that all about?

Searching the crowd for any sign of her, he listened to Charly praise Autumn’s auction pieces. “I love this 1920s jewelry, but I love the dragonflies even more.”

Autumn touched Charly’s arm with gratitude. “That’s sweet of you to say. Nature-inspired jewelry is where my heart is.” Her eyes rose to Aaron’s. “I hope we raise a lot of money for Six Hearts.”

They would. He’d even put in a bid for Autumn’s jewelry. He’d love to see Charlize’s eyes light up when he gave them to her. Before he could thank Autumn for her donation, his friend gasped up at a man standing up front for the bachelor auction. Aaron recognized Kian—the one who Autumn complained was a thorn in her side. The guy had even tried to convince her that the ghost of Al Capone’s sister was haunting the building they shared downtown.

Autumn’s smile warmed on Kian, and Aaron guessed things were different now. She quickly made her excuses. “I think there’s something—I mean, someone—I might want to bid on.”

Charly’s hand tightened on his as Autumn Molinero left to bid on her man. “They’ve been at this battle of wits for a while. Mollie even pretended to be a psychic to help Kian out.”

This friend of hers sounded like a force to be reckoned with. “She didn’t!”

“Yes, Mollie takes whatever fun she can get in this small town.” Charly’s nose wrinkled in her amusement. “When is Janson Styles going up for auction?”

He chuckled. “After Mikey.” He gave her a double take and decided to tease her for asking. “You aren’t considering bidding on Janson, are you?”

She raised a brow, her eyes twinkling. “He’s a rare commodity. I doubt I’d have much luck against all his admirers.”

Janson was part Brazilian and too handsome for his own good—he graced the top financial magazines and looked like a Vogue model doing it. Aaron brought his nose close to Charlize, breathing in her tantalizing scent. He could hardly wait to get out of this crowd so they could be alone. “That better not be the only reason you’re not bidding on him.”

She burst into a giggle. “I was thinking of Mollie, but I’d better not. She’d kill me.”

“Why would I kill you?”

Charlize jumped a mile high. A cute redhead he vaguely recognized stood there. She’d blended into the shadows so well in black leggings and heels, complete with a black top and skirt. The girl seemed to want to get lost in a crowd, but it only made her more memorable. Her freckles stood out in a face meant to be the center of attention, and there was no hiding that striking hair. Aaron pulled reluctantly away from Charly as she turned to her friend with a nervous laugh. “I was just thinking of setting you up.”

“Oh, no you don’t!” Mollie rolled big blue eyes before turning a sardonic look on Aaron. “My friends always try to set me up when they’re happy.” She studied him, her stern gaze worse than staring down the barrel of a father’s shotgun. “Charly is happy, right?”

He fought for his voice, laughing while he did so. “I hope so.”

“Yes!” Charly grabbed her friend’s hand and pulled her into a hug. Mollie’s severity immediately dissolved into playful giggles. He had no idea how females did that.

“You sure showed him,” Mollie cried. “Is this how you make him sorry he was ever born? You overdid it. He’s falling all over you!” Mischief ran through Mollie’s expression, even as she cast Aaron warning looks. Immediately, he understood how she had managed to trick Autumn into believing she was a psychic. The girl could play every role. He’d have to watch this one. “You’d better treat my friend right, Mills,” Mollie said. “I’m watching you.”

Charly beamed as she played with her necklace. Mollie touched the sapphires. “What’s this?” The two got lost in conversation.

Aaron spied Janson Styles entering the dimly lit speakeasy.