“Will you call me as soon as you find anything? And please don’t tell Wes about this yet?” I asked Tony as he followed me to the car.
He gave my upper arm a squeeze. “I won’t say anything. Please be careful and call me if you notice anything strange.”
“We’ll have someone posted here and at your friend’s house tonight,” Hamilton said.
I called Dallas on my way over. “I’m staying at Lorea’s tonight, so I may have a bit of a late start in the morning.” My voice wobbled, even though I tried to keep it steady.
“What’s wrong?” Dallas sounded worried. That helped me relax a bit, for some strange reason.
“Someone left a picture of me on my front door with a cryptic message. The police are investigating.” I left out the information of who else was in the picture with me, still not ready to mention his name.
“The police? Wow, you must be on good terms with that detective.”
“Tony is a friend of my family’s.”
“I thought you said everyone relating to the assault was in custody,” Dallas said.
“That’s what we thought, but now the police aren’t sure.”
“Adri, I can come over to your house and stay with you.”
“I know. But the police recommended I stay somewhere else.”
“Would you rather come to my place? Space is at a premium, but I’d love to have your company.”
A tingle of longing spread across my shoulders as I considered Dallas’s offer. I trusted him to keep me safe, but I hadn’t been able to get past my mixed-up feelings. “Thanks, but I think we both know what would happen if I did that, and I’m not quite ready—”
Dallas coughed. “I respect you, Adri. I understand. But if you change your mind, I promise to be on my best behavior.”
I laughed. “You’re tempting me.”
“That’s the idea.” He chuckled. “Tell me what I can say to get you to change your mind. You already know I love you.”
I sighed. Those words were enough to keep me on the path to Lorea’s house. They were scary words—ones I wasn’t ready to reciprocate. Every time he said them, I felt his disappointment at my inability to respond. “I know. Thanks for understanding.”
“Okay.” I heard melancholy filling Dallas’s voice, but then he buckled down and continued in a chipper voice. “I’ll be counting the hours until I see you tomorrow.”
“Talk to you later.” I tucked my cell phone into my purse, resisting the urge to bang my head against the steering wheel. My life was an anomaly. I had a boyfriend spouting off his undying love for me every chance he got, and I had a love-hate relationship with Luke, who wanted to spend time with me as long as I understood there was no future. When I thought about it in those terms, it was a no-brainer, but then Luke flashed through my subconscious with the cute dimple in his chin. I remembered how charming he’d been on the day we first met, and I couldn’t ignore the attraction I felt when he approached me at Brock’s house.
I shuddered when I thought of the photo. What did it mean?
Chapter 23
Ice Cube Bliss
Add an elegant touch to sparkling water or any bridal party beverage with these flavored ice cubes. Combine a small amount of lemon juice, several lemon slices, and water and then freeze in ice cube trays. You can also freeze fresh blueberries, mint leaves, or raspberries in ice cubes.
Courtesy of www.mashedpotatoesandcrafts.com.
My headlights illuminated the window of Lorea’s front room. Lorea would know what to do. She always had the best answers, and tonight I was ready for her no-nonsense attitude. Tony made sure I was safely inside her house and flashed his lights as he drove away.
“Adri, you’re like a magnet for danger lately!” Lorea hugged me and led me into her cozy living room. “Let me get you a drink of water.”
I heard her rummaging around in the kitchen, and she returned carrying a glass of water with something floating in it. Before I took a sip, I recognized the tiny green leaves frozen in the ice cubes. “Thanks. These are great.”
“I know,” Lorea said. “Natalie gave me a tray of those ice cubes from her bridal shower. I love the ones with the blueberries frozen inside, but they were all gone, so you get mint.”
The ice clinked in my glass as I drank, and I felt a tiny bit of the tension easing out of my body as I savored the faint taste of peppermint.
“Okay, spill.”
“First, I need some ice cream.” I grabbed a spoon and plopped down on the couch with my carton.
Lorea grabbed an ice cream scoop and a bowl and handed it to me. “You’ll just have to talk with your mouth full, ’cause I need details.”
While I scooped ice cream into the bowl, I explained about the picture. I didn’t leave out the part about Luke.
“Wait a minute. Luke? He was at the bridal shower, and he held your hand? I didn’t see him there. You gotta spill all the details, chickee.”
“It was nothing. I ran into Brock’s house to get a lighter, and Luke was there hanging out with him. Apparently, Luke had mentioned me to Brock, and you know Brock—he doesn’t beat around the bush. He wanted Luke and me to go on a double date with him and Natalie. I was embarrassed, and so was Luke, but not enough to reject Brock’s invitation.”
“He asked you out again?”
My shoulders slumped. “If he wasn’t so hot, maybe I’d have the nerve to slap him, but half the time I want to kiss him.”
“Ene, zodue zara?” Lorea put her
