Holly laughed. “Well, if you put it that way, a present for both of them.”
“I know just the place. There’s an adorable little boutique at the end of the block. I’m sure you’ll find what you’re looking for in there.”
They walked to the lingerie store and entered. Holly looked around, surprised by how large it was. Apparently the residents of this sleepy town were into their nightly entertainment in order to keep a place like this in business. “Wow. This place is great.”
“I knew you’d like it.”
Holly looked around with an open mouth. This was like her personal heaven. She loved lingerie, always had, even before she’d become an escort and having beautiful lingerie had become a necessity. Maybe she would not only buy Sabrina something nice, but also get something for herself. After all, she couldn’t let an opportunity like this pass her by.
Stopping at a display of long, silk negligees, Holly browsed through them then reached for one and pulled it out. A soft pink negligee reaching to mid-thigh and held up by spaghetti straps had Sabrina’s name all over it. It was classy, elegant, yet sexy. It looked like it had been tailored specifically for Sabrina’s body.
“Raffaela, look. This is it.” She turned to show it to Raffaela.
“Oh, Holly, that’s perfect.” Raffaela clapped her hands, a huge smile taking over her face.
“Sold! Now, I just need to find something for myself. It would be a shame not to.” But before she could turn to the next display, a woman turned to them.
“Raffaela? Wow! What a surprise to see you here!”
“Linda,” Raffaela greeted her with a rather tight smile, which surprised Holly, since she’d never seen her being unfriendly to anybody. Yet Holly could instantly feel that Raffaela didn’t care for the woman she’d called Linda. “How nice to see you.”
When Linda cast a curious glance over Holly, Raffaela continued, “Linda this is Holly, Sabrina’s best friend and maid of honor. Holly, this is Linda Boyd, a family friend.”
“Nice to meet you, Linda.” Holly extended her hand and was greeted with a stiff smile and a weak shake, while the woman continued to look her up and down as if inspecting a cheap garment.
“Likewise,” Linda said, immediately turning her attention back to Raffaela. “I’m surprised to see you out shopping. I thought for sure you’d be too busy with everything else.”
“We’re shopping for the wedding, actually,” Raffaela responded calmly.
Linda’s plastic smile never faded as she leaned closer as if wanting to impart a secret without being overheard. “Uh, yes. Speaking of the wedding, isn’t this whole thing just awful? People can be so nasty at times.”
“What do you mean?” Raffaela looked at Linda in confusion. “My son is getting married. And there’s nothing awful about that.”
Linda shook her head. “Of course not, but that article in the paper today, the one about Sabrina . . . I was shocked when I read it. Of course, I don’t believe a word of it.”
“I’m afraid we didn’t get the paper this morning, so I’m not sure what article you’re talking about.”
Holly could hear the edge in Raffaela’s voice.
“Oh.” Linda put her hand over her mouth in an attempt to look surprised. “You mean . . . you don’t know about the article in the New York Times? Oh, dear. I didn’t mean to bring it up. I’m sorry.”
“Linda, what is this about?”
“Gosh, Raffaela, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to be the one giving you bad news. I just assumed you knew, because it’s all everyone is talking about all morning. I’m sure it’s all a big mistake. I mean it can’t be true.” She put her hand on Raffaela’s forearm. “Listen, just forget about it. I’m so sorry.”
Then she turned abruptly and left the store, leaving Raffaela standing with a frown on her face. Holly turned to Raffaela. When their gazes met, Raffaela said, “I need to buy a newspaper.”
Holly nodded numbly. Something was wrong. She tossed the negligee back on the display case and took Raffaela’s arm. “Let’s get to the bottom of this.”
As they walked outside and headed for the next newspaper stand, Holly glanced at Raffaela.
“I know Linda is a family friend, but I don’t like that woman very much.”
“Not many people do. She’s a gossip. I’ve tried to keep her at a distance since Daniel’s breakup with Audrey, but in a place like the Hamptons, that’s not always so easy.”