She calms instantly, her shoulders relaxing. I pat her on the back and try to figure out a way to distract her.
"So tell me about the best man. Am I going to need to use the Jaws of Life to keep him off me?" I smile at her. I know all about panic attacks and how to avoid them or deter them.
"Stephan is okay. I really don't know a whole lot about him. We've only met a few times. He works with Jonathon. The few functions I've seen him at he has been with different girls."
"So you're saying I get to hang out with a player?" I joke.
She grimaces. "No, I'd never say that. I just don't know him well," she defends.
"I was just kidding, Ana girl."
Duncan watches his sister with a critical eye during the whole exchange. His head is cocked to the side and he raises an eyebrow. I can see he’s concerned too.
We stop next to a black Range Rover when Ana turns to me. "Duncan borrowed a friend’s automobile because his little car wouldn't hold all of us. Hope you don't mind?"
"No, it's okay."
I reach for the back door and Duncan whips his head around to give me a fierce look. I step back and wait for him to open my door as he helps Ana into her seat.
Once I'm settled into the car, I lean forward to talk to Ana some more.
"So, Ana, are we heading to the dress shop now?" I had to trust her with picking my dress.
"Yes, you'll love the dress Jonathon picked for you." She turns to me, bouncing in her seat.
She almost seems too happy; I hate that my job makes me second-guess people.
"He picked my dress?" My eyebrows fly up.
"Yes, he's very hands-on in planning this wedding. What're you wearing tonight for the rehearsal?"
I know a topic change when I hear one.
"I have a dress, don't worry." I pat my messenger bag.
"Okay. Is it appropriate? Do we need to have the hotel press it?" Her skeptical look at my bag has me gritting my teeth.
"Ha-ha, you're so hilarious. No, it doesn't need to be pressed. It's appropriate, you'll approve. I rolled it."
When we were teenagers, she was appalled that I just stuffed my clothes in my suitcase. She promptly taught me to roll my clothes to save room and less wrinkles.
London hasn't changedat all. It’s still bustling with life and one of my favorite cities. I love the mix of cultures that reside here with the historical styles. If things had been different, I'd have settled here.
My mind wanders back to the last time I was in London. Even though it's been four years, I remember it like it was yesterday. It was the first time my flower stalker sent me a different bouquet than he normally did. It was also the day I realized it wasn't just flowers, it was a relationship.
I was at James and Ana's home when the delivery came. James never allowed me to stay anywhere but their home. He said his wife and my parents would be rolling in their graves if I stayed somewhere else, I was family. I'd already been getting my June deliveries, but I thought they were innocent. This delivery was the first time I had to explain them, and I was scared. James kept asking me why someone would send me a dozen black roses with a single red rose. This was the first time I’d received black roses; my other deliveries had been a different arrangement. I explained that I was arguing with my then boyfriend, Carl. I of course found out later he didn't send them.
However, it was the note that arrived at my apartment after my London trip that made me decide not to come back. It was a plain typewritten note, simply saying if I was smart I wouldn't include James and Ana in our affair. I had no clue who would do that. That's when Greg got involved.
I'd known Derek for a year by then, and we had become fast friends. With Greg’s job at the Secret Service, he knew the right people to call, and he contacted a friend at the FBI. My life hasnever been the same. My life went to hell when my parents died, but it got fucked up when my stalker decided I was his.
Derek and Greg didn't want me to come on this trip, but I wasn't going to let this asshole interfere with my life…again. I couldn't miss Ana's day. My phone pinging in my pocket from an incoming message interrupts my thoughts.
I pull it out to see a text message from an unknown number.
You can never get away from me. I know where you are.
I forward the text to Greg and Derek.
