Page 112 of Say Yes to the Death

How had the press even known where to find her? Maybe someone in the bar had tipped them off. She scanned the crowd, but no one seemed to be paying attention to her. Maybe it had been the ESA brothers? But then why did they not react when she confronted them in the alleyway?

“You did nothing,” Mindy said, grabbing her by both shoulders and startling Claire from her thoughts. She looked remarkably composed for someone who had drunk absinthe. “It’s this asshole from Channel Eight News who spun the story to make it look like you went on a drunken rampage when actually all you did was save some girl from being assaulted. I notice they didn’t mention anything about her in the article. As soon as I can see straight again, I’m going to find out where he lives and burn his house down.”

“Lower your voice,” Claire hissed, casting a glance around the bar. Someone in here must have ratted her out to the press.

Claire’s phone vibrated in her hand. She glanced down at it and gasped. It was Alex, their newest client. They had just begun brainstorming his soccer-themed proposal.

“Hi, Alex. How are you?” She probably shouldn’t have picked up the phone in a country bar with a fuzzy head. But when the clients needed her, nothing else was more important.

“Hey, Claire. Uh, I’ve been thinking. I don’t think I need your services after all.”

The bottom dropped out of her stomach. His girlfriend, Molly, was a pilot in the Air Force. “Oh, no! Did something happen? Is Molly okay?”

“Yeah, no, she’s fine. I’m still going to ask her to marry me. I just don’t think I need your help anymore.”

Shock hit her like an icy fist. Her breath caught in her chest. Alex absolutely did need a planner. The coordination alone was too much for one person to handle, let alone the other elements they had discussed. He did need help. He just didn’t want her help.

“Oh. Did you see the article? Because I assure you that’s not what actually happened,” she said hurriedly.

“Can you just send me the bill for what you’ve worked on so far, and we’ll call it even? Thanks, Claire.” He hung up.

She stared at the phone in her hand like it had transformed into a live snake.

“What’s wrong?” Nicole laid a hand on Claire’s arm.

“He fucking fired us,” Claire said over the honky-tonk song currently playing. Her cheeks were hot. How had a simple night out with friends turned into something that threatened to destroy the business she’d sacrificed everything for? And why did saving a girl from assault warrant having her name dragged through the mud? It wasn’t fair.

“He did what?” Mindy shouted. She whipped her coat out from behind her like she was trying to lure a bull. Several patrons turned around to stare.

“Alex fired us. He wouldn’t say, but I think it was because of the article.” Her hands clenched at her sides.

“I have his address. Let’s go.”

“Stop,” Claire said, glaring at her. “First of all, driving buzzed—absolutely not. Second of all, driving a car through the home of a client who fired us isn’t exactly going to help my image in the media.”

Mindy scowled. She pulled her tablet out of her purse and crashed it onto the bar. “I’m going to send his mother those pictures I found during our surveillance phase. Bad news, Mrs. Palmer. Little Alex used to hide weed in the angel on top of the Christmas tree.”

“Babe.” Gavin yanked her tablet away. “Don’t do something you’ll regret.”

“You want to talk about regret? Alex is going to be full of it. If he tries running to Wendy to plan this, she’ll ruin everything.”

“Maybe Wendy’s sleeping with the newscaster too,” Claire muttered and chugged the rest of her water. This night was over. “I need to go home. I’m calling a car.”

Mindy and Nicole put their coats on and stood next to each other at the bar. They each held out one hand and made a fist with the other.

“What are you guys doing?” Claire asked.

“Just checking to see who’s staying with you tonight,” Mindy said, eyes narrowed in concentration. “Rock, paper, scissors, shoot.”

Claire cringed. She had accidentally trashed her reputation. Her best friends didn’t even want to spend time with her. They had to resort to children’s games to decide who had to stay.

“I’ll make it easy for you,” she said. “Neither of you are staying. I’m a grown woman. I’m going to be fine.”

“Aha! I win. Claire, I’m staying with you tonight,” Nicole said, sucking down the last of her glass of water. “And I don’t want to hear any arguments. You just stopped an abduction attempt. And if they were your stalkers, and they did recognize you—since that reporter so thoughtfully called you out by name as they were running away—they’re going to be pissed, and they might come for you. And frankly, I would love to punch someone in the face tonight.” She swung her purse over her arm.

Claire bristled. Company was the last thing she wanted tonight. “I can handle it. I have a fancy security system and an attack corgi.”

“I’m happy to stay with you, Claire,” Sawyer interjected. “Give your friends a break for the night. I’m probably the most qualified person here to provide private security.”

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