Keller:Something has come up. I’m sorry, Lilly.
Lilly:Okay. Well, when can I see you?
Keller:Probably at rehearsal.
Lilly:Can you at least save a moment for me at rehearsal? A moment to just be alone with each other?
Keller:Yes. I’ll see you there.
Lilly:I love you, Keller.
Keller:Love you.
* * *
“I haven’t seenyou all day,” I say to Lara as we drive together to Norse Temple. I poke her leg. “You missed me in my dress.”
“I know, I’m sorry. It’s been a busy day today. How did it fit?”
“Great,” I answer as I lean my head back against the car seat. “It felt so surreal, I can’t believe I’m actually getting married tomorrow. Oh, and I did what you said last night, with Keller.” I wiggle my eyebrows at her. “It worked.”
“It did?” she asks, almost surprised at her own advice.
“Yes, it was perfect.”
She nods and looks away. “So everything feels okay to you? Everything between you two?”
“Yes,” I say, dragging my answer out because she seems skeptical. “What are you not saying?”
“Nothing.” Lara shakes her head, but I know she’s lying.
“Lara, what’s going on?”
“It’s nothing.” When I poke her again, she adds on a sigh, “I just saw Keller earlier and he wasn’t his normal self, that’s all. I think he’s just stressed, trying to make sure everything is in place.”
“Is that what he was doing?” I ask. “He missed lunch with me, and I was sort of upset about it, but figured he had a good reason.”
“Yes, well, they caught someone last night at the Crowned Cod who was planning to set off an explosive tomorrow.”
“Really?” I ask. “Oh my God.”
“I believe it shook him and Ottar. They’re working on tightening everything, and I’ve spent extra time with the palace guard checking over their routes. We’re on high security at the moment, so I’m sure that’s what’s keeping him preoccupied.”
“Yeah, probably,” I say. “Do you think he’s going to be okay?”
“Yes,” Lara answers. “Everything will be great.”
She pats my hand, but despite her best efforts, my excitement has fallen, and dread has reared its ugly head. My mind falls to the past few weeks we’ve had.
The arguments.
The disbelief.
The doubt.
The loneliness.
The articles . . .
