man, and about your age.”
Mia doubted her neighbor and his friend were going to be up any time soon.
“I heard him come home late last night. I wouldn’t count on him making it down for breakfast.”
“Oh, that’s too bad. Well, I believe he’s going to be here for a while, too. Funny thing, he checked in a week ago, but told me yesterday that he just closed on the condo next to yours, right before the fire. So, he’s having renovations done too and has extended his stay. What a small world it is.”
“Really? That’s interesting. What is his name? I wonder if I know him.”
“Ben. Ben Billings. His family owns a place here, but he said the whole family is in town and his sister is planning a wedding and it’s too crazy for him there.”
Mia smiled. So, that’s where she knew him from. It had been years since she’d seen Ben Billings. He’d been two years ahead of her and had gone to Buckley, the nearby private boy’s school. She didn’t know him well, but she knew of him. Everyone knew Ben Billings. He’d been taller, better looking, and richer than just about everyone. And even in high school, he’d had a reputation for dating pretty much anyone he wanted to. He was always in the society pages, going to all the important events, always with a different beautiful girl. So, she was surprised to hear that Ben was the buyer of the condo next to hers. She couldn’t imagine that he’d want to be on Nantucket for more than a few weeks.
Which was actually a good thing. She had an end unit, and if Ben wasn’t going to be there much, it would be nice and quiet. Just the way she liked it. And given the way he’d come home last night, it looked like Ben was the same as ever.
“I’m actually on my way to meet with his sister later this morning. She wants me to help with her wedding.”
Lisa’s eyes lit up. “How fun. I look forward to hearing more about it. I bet it will be a fancy one.”
Mia laughed. “Yes, I think it probably will be.”
Chapter 4
At a quarter to eleven, Mia drove onto the long, winding driveway that led to the Billings’ oceanfront summer home. As she came around the corner and saw the sprawling white house and expansive manicured lawn, she wondered if Bethany had considered having the wedding there. It would be a lovely setting, with breathtaking views of the ocean.
She parked next to a white Range Rover and made her way to the front door. Bethany swung the door open a moment after Mia rang the bell. She looked almost the same as Mia remembered, with shiny, straight blonde hair and expertly cut long layers that fell just past her shoulders. Her eyes were big and blue, and her lashes long and fake. But they were very good fakes. Her lipstick was a pretty shade of pink and when she smiled, her teeth were perfectly white. She was wearing a Lilly Pulitzer sundress in bright shades of peach and pink. And she was tan, very tan. Mia felt pale in comparison.
“Mia! It’s so great to see you!” Bethany pulled her in for an enthusiastic hug as if they were long-lost friends.
“You, too.”
“Come in! My mother is going to join us in a bit. I hope you’re hungry. We thought you could stay for lunch?”
“Sure. Thank you.” Mia didn’t have anything pressing the rest of the day.
Bethany led her into a screened-in sunroom that had stunning ocean views. A big round table was set with a pot of coffee, cream and sugar and a plate of what looked like homemade chocolate chip cookies. A stack of bridal magazines sat next to the cookies. Once they were both seated, Bethany poured coffee for both of them and encouraged Mia to try the cookies.
“Our housekeeper, Dorothy, made them this morning and they are insanely good. I had one, which was more than I should have. But have as many as you want.”
Mia nibbled one cookie and then another as Bethany chatted non-stop about what she envisioned for her wedding. Mia took notes, stopping now and then to clarify or to ask a question. Bethany mentioned that she wanted her reception at the Whitley Hotel, which was exquisite, but no more so than her own location.
“Have you considered having it here? You have plenty of room on the lawn and the views are