not going to think about it. I’m not going to think about it,” she insisted, her hands starting to shake again.
“You say something?”
“Huh? What?” She jumped violently, startled by the sudden appearance of the station’s young intern at the door. “N-no.”
The young man shrugged, looking confused. “Uh, Dale said I should walk you out to your car. You ready to go?”
“Oh, right, y-yes.” Her throat was tight and she cleared it with a small cough. “I’m…I’m ready.”
She felt foolish following the young man down the corridor and into the elevator, but if the truth be known, she was grateful not to be alone. Of course, there was just the rest of the night to think about—the drive home, the empty house, the long hours until dawn. She would hear every noise, jump at every bump, wonder about every shadow—just as she had every night for the last eight months. It wasn’t much better once she finally did drift off to sleep. Dreams filled with shadows and danger and dark, looming figures were even worse.
The elevator doors slid open, the sound echoing through the nearly deserted parking garage. And the hollow sound of their footsteps along the concrete made it feel even emptier.
“I like your car,” the intern said as the automatic door locks opened with a chirp.
“Thanks,” she said, eyeing the interior of the SUV carefully. When she was sufficiently sure no one was hiding inside, she slid onto the seat. “And thanks for walking me down. I really appreciate it.”
“Not a problem. Take care,” he said, raising his hand in a wave as he started back for the elevator. “Hasta.”
“Yeah, hasta,” she mumbled, slamming the door and quickly triggering the doors to lock again.
She hated living like this. It wasn’t fair, her life was not her own anymore—and all because of that…that creep. He was out there somewhere, doing what he wanted, going where he wanted to go, no restrictions, no fears. She was the one living in a prison, constantly looking over her shoulder, afraid of what might be around the corner, and she resented it.
“And that’s exactly what he wants,” she concluded aloud into the silence of the car—which only added to the insult. He wanted to terrify her and he’d managed to do that very effectively.
Frustrated, she pulled out of the parking lot and onto the street, punching at the radio and turning up the volume to full blast. Maybe he was out there. Maybe he was watching right now—and she almost wished he was. If he wanted to see her cower and hide, he would be disappointed. She may be frightened, her nerves may be frayed and on edge, but he wasn’t going to get the best of her—no way in hell.
“Finally! The mountain man has arrived” Ted made his way through the small cluster of people milling about in the church foyer, waiting for the rehearsal to begin. With arms outstretched, he grabbed Jake in a bear hug. “Am I glad you’re here!”
“I’m late, I’m sorry,” Jake apologized, returning Ted’s hug. “The 405 was like a parking lot. I didn’t think traffic would be so bad this time of day.”
“Now I know you’ve been up on that mountain too long,” Ted said, pulling back. “This is L.A., have you forgotten? Traffic is bad here—period! It doesn’t matter what time it is.” He rested a hand on Jake’s shoulder and took a deep breath. “You’ve got to help me.” He ran a hand over his stomach. “Honest to God, I think there are butterflies in there. I’m not cut out for this.”
Jake couldn’t resist the urge to smile. Ted’s tall, lanky build and sun-bleached hair may have had him looking more like a California surfer than a seasoned cop, but that only proved just how deceiving looks could be. Typically restrained and self-controlled, not much ever ruffled his feathers, and even if it did, you would never know. But he definitely looked worse for wear now.
“Don’t tell me you’re nervous. A tough cop like you?”
“Felons I can handle. What I need is protection from the wedding planner.”
Jake frowned. “What’s a wedding planner?”
“Not what—who,” Ted clarified, turning slowly and gesturing to a small, well-dressed woman chatting with a group of people in the church. “Although, if you ask me, she’s more like the wedding Nazi.”
Jake turned to look at the woman. “That tiny little lady? You’re afraid of her?”
“Don’t let her size fool you,” Ted warned. “I’ve known prison guards who could take lessons from her.”
“Want me to go over there and rough her up?”
Ted made a face. “Funny, very funny.”
Jake laughed. “Well, calm down, the cavalry has arrived. I’ll protect you if…” He glanced at the petite woman and laughed again. “If Minnie Mouse over there decides to get mean.”
Ted laughed then too. He gave Jake’s shoulder a good-natured pat and his smile faded just a little. “But I admit, I do feel a whole lot better now that you’re here. I miss having you around.”
Jake’s face grew sober. Ted knew better than anyone this trip to L.A. wasn’t going to be easy for him. “Maybe I’ve got a few butterflies too.”
“No reason to,” Ted assured him. “We’re all friends here and everyone is really anxious to see you. They all miss you.”
“You think so?”
“I know so.”
“Yeah, well,” Jake said with a shrug. “There’s no way I was going to miss your wedding.”
“I was banking on that. I don’t think I could get through all this without you,” Ted confessed. He looked at the activity happening around them and shook his head. “Just look—all this fancy, foofy wedding stuff—it isn’t me. What am I doing here?”
Jake’s gaze narrowed. “You’re not having any…second thoughts, are you?”
“About marrying Cindy?” Ted shook his head. “No way. She’s…well, she’s…perfect! You’re going to love her.”
“As long as you do, that’s all that’s important.”
“Oh, I do,” Ted assured him, gesturing to the activity around them again. “Enough to put up with all this.”
Jake looked around then too and nodded. “Must be true love.”
Ted started to smile, but spotting the diminutive wedding planner headed their way, suddenly bolted to attention.
“We’re starting in five minutes, boys,” she declared as she breezed by. “Find a seat inside.”
Ted’s gaze followed as she passed, then slid to Jake. “You heard her, we better get moving.”
Jake chuckled as they turned and started into the church. “But aren’t we missing the bride? When do I get to meet this woman who has enticed you to endure
