“We’re getting married.”
“You decided on a date?” I ask, just as excited as she is.
“We did.”
It turns out the weekend she wants to get married on the beach in the Cove is the same weekend the show opens at the studio. It works out almost perfectly. She wants to have the ceremony on Saturday, and the show opens on Thursday with the party on Friday.
“How would you feel about getting all dressed up and fancy and coming to the gallery party on that Friday?”
“Really?”
“Yes, really! I’d love to have you all there to see what I do. And you never know what celebrity or sports baller you might rub shoulders with.”
“Oh, that would be awesome! But only if you’re sure!”
“I’m positive. I’ll have Mom meet with our personal shopper and pull some things for everyone to wear, including the kids. And we can all get dinner together before.”
“Like a rehearsal dinner?” She scrunches up her nose. She doesn’t want much in the way of the traditional wedding things.
“Is there a rehearsal?”
“No.”
“Then this is just fancy dinner in fancy clothes in the big, fancy city, silly.”
Trish laughs before standing up. “Oh, I have to go tell Davis. And Harper. She’ll love it!”
I watch as she walks away from the table, looking over and catching the eye of Ranger. He’s staring at me like he’s trying to see into my soul. I’m trying to see into his when my phone rings. Looking at the screen and seeing it’s Jorge, I answer quickly.
“Hey, J. What’s up?”
“Are you alone? Why’s it so loud there?”
“I’m at a cookout. What’s wrong?”
“I need to talk to you. Can you find somewhere private?”
“Yeah, hang on.” I walk around the side of the house, away from everyone. “Talk to me.”
“I need to know that you’re okay,” he starts.
“I’m fine. What’s going on?”
“They left a note.”
“Who left a note?”
“Whoever’s leaving the dead flowers.”
“What does the note say?” I ask, my stomach tightening with fear.
“First, you need to know that I’ve called the cops already.”
“Why? Why do you need to call the cops, Jorge?”
“They threatened your life, Elle.”
“How? You aren’t making any sense.”