Chapter Eight
Liam
It was the first day that he wasn’t going to have anyone over. In fact, he had actual work to do. Before leaving for the office, however, he decided he’d try to find out more about the girl next door. He had to know if she was the same one from Greece. He’d made an appointment with the homeowner next door, a man named Robert Hamilton, and was surprised to learn he’d done business with his own father back in the eighties.
Liam had an in. That was enough to set up the meeting and become acquainted with Mr. Hamilton so that Liam could get the information he needed.
Liam pulled up into the driveway, driving his Lotus carefully up through the gate. The house was a typical Malibu mansion. He spotted the guest house on the edge of the property, which he could only assume was used for a cook or maid. There was a small garden just outside along its porch. It was quaint compared to the colonial-style mansion with the turnaround driveway.
He parked just along the side and stepped out of his car. He tucked in his black dress shirt as he made his way to the front doors. He pressed the doorbell, which had a small camera just above it. He was taken aback over how quickly Robert Hamilton opened the door, as though he’d been waiting at the entrance for Liam to arrive all morning.
“Hi there,” Robert said, holding out his hand. “You must be Liam Johnson. Nice to meet you, neighbor.”
Liam smiled and shook Robert’s hand as he entered the house. “Pleasure to meet you too, sir. How are you?”
“I’m great. You might not believe it, but you’re the first neighbor I’ve ever had over. The people that lived in that house before you weren’t much for company.”
“I understand. Malibu isn’t really known for its block parties.”
Robert laughed. “Well, I certainly hear you having people over next door. Sounds like you’re having an event over there every afternoon.”
“I’ve been taking some time off work,” Liam said, and smoothed his hair back with a smile. “I’m actually having an evening housewarming party tomorrow night, if you’d like to come. Your whole family is welcome. My father will be there, too.”
“Well, thanks for the invite. I’ll be sure to invite my daughter and wife. Do you mind if we bring someone extra?”
“Oh? That shouldn’t be a problem at all.”
“A friend of Donovan’s rents the guest house and, since she’s your neighbor too, it’d seem wrong not to bring her along with us.”
Donovan. Why was that name familiar? Liam felt his heart skip a beat. That was the strange name of the girl’s friend that he’d met in Greece. It was all coming together, despite the astronomical odds that he and his mystery woman from Greece could actually end up as neighbors.
“How long has she rented from you?”
“Hard to say,” Robert said, leading Liam to the kitchen. “Maybe about two years? Something like that.”
“What does she look like?”
Robert raised his eyebrows at Liam. “Do you know Violet? She’s a tiny blond thing. Really keeps to herself most days and works from home.”
So her name was Violet. That was definitely not the name he was expecting.
“I think I may have met her before. She came by my house, got past the front gate and everything. All to complain about the noise.”
“I can see her doing that,” Robert said, laughing as he took a seat at the island in the middle of the kitchen. “She’s not much for fun, really. Not like my daughter. I’m still a little surprised that they’re friends at all because they’re complete opposites.”
Liam took a seat at the island as well and watched as the man pushed his gray hair back. Despite his age, he was still a handsome man with a good physique. His tan skin reminded Liam of Donovan’s, and he could easily see their resemblance.
“Well, let’s hope she has fun when she arrives at the party. I do my best to be a good host.”
It helped that he already knew her. It would definitely be a night she wouldn’t forget, as he intended to confront her about it. If she hadn’t recognized him the night that she showed up at his door, she would definitely during the party.
“I’m sure it’ll be lovely. Now, then, how’s your father doing?”
Most conversations with businessmen always circled back to Liam’s father in some way. Even though he’d retired, he was like a ghost looming over each conversation Liam had. Liam sighed and leaned his head against his hand. So, Mr. Hamilton was interested in conducting business. At least he was obvious about it.
Most people tried to hide it.
Chapter Nine
Violet
She sat next to Donovan in her room and stared at the closet. She’d forgotten just how many clothes Donovan owned. Choosing just one dress from the hundreds that she had seemed near impossible.
“So, you’re sure it’s him?”
She turned to Donovan and let out a deep breath. “I’m, like, eighty percent sure. He mostly just looks like him, though.”
Donovan placed her hand on her hip, overlooking her walk-in closet. Each piece in her closet was either vintage or designer. Violet had always been careful not to bother Donovan about borrowing her clothes, knowing that some pieces cost the same amount as her own monthly rent.
“Do you think he’ll remember me this time?”
Donovan spun around, her lips forming into a wide smile. “Oh, don’t you worry. I’m going to make you look so good that he’ll have to remember you.”
There was a silence that passed, and Violet was apprehensive, unsure that she should even face him again. After seeing what kind of person he really was, she knew that the man she had met had been a lie. He’d been a gentleman only to impress her, and it had worked. She felt like an idiot for falling for it.
“I don’t know if it’s even worth it.”
Donovan stared at her quizzically. “He’s a billionaire. How could it not be worth it? At least get a dinner or a designer bag out of it.”
“Donovan.”
“What? It’s not like I’m wrong.”
Violet shook her head. “It sounds wrong when you put it that way.”
Donovan walked over to the small sofa where Violet was sitting. There were clothes scattered along the furniture in the walk-in closet, as though Donovan had already been through and decided what she was going to wear.
“You need to stop being uptight,” Donovan told her, which were words Violet had heard a thousand times before. “What did I tell you already? Not everything has to be so serious. Besides, I’m going to make you look so good that he’ll want to recognize you.”
“Well, I fully trust your skills.”
“As you should,” Donovan said. “You saw yourself in Mykonos, and so did he. Let’s make that happen again.”
Chapter Ten
Liam
He was pleased with himself at how successfully his party was going so far. He’d ordered caterers, along with a three piece classical band straight from an orchestra. It had grown to be an amazing night so far, and he could see his parents among the crowd, passing through and speaking to people along the way. Just having them there was enough to make him proud of the evening. They rarely travelled from New York anymore for anything.