Page 15 of Like It's 1999

“Those are really about networking, anyway. Not everyone takes it seriously.”

“I take running very seriously.” I shrug. “I guess I’ll have to go by myself.”

“Well, I wouldn’t want you to suffer alone.”

Keeping my tone sweet, I say, “Oh Steve, you’re the one who’s going to suffer. You’re going to wish you hadn’t smoked all those cigarettes.”

“If you kill me, I’ll miss out on all the fun tonight.”

“Dang it. You’ve got a point.” I sigh dramatically. Will and his theater friends would be proud. “All right. We canjog,” I say, practically choking on the words.

It won’t be the same, but that’s okay. My time with Steve is drawing to a close, and silly me, I’m finding I want to make the most of it.

STEVE

Somehow, I survive the afternoon, which includes not only getting my nails painted a bright blue but a jog where it feels like I’m going to cough my lungs right out of my chest. Then, since everyone follows Kate’s spreadsheet instructions, the wedding rehearsal runs without a hitch. After that, we endure a polite dinner with Kate’s family and out-of-town guests at the hotel. Finally, the younger set decamps to a bar.

When two cops show up at the door to the back room we’ve commandeered in the roadhouse Laura recommended, their timing is perfect. Kate has just started to relax. In fact, I’m pretty sure I heard her snort with laughter. I’ve been keeping an eye out, so I think I’m the first to notice Alice’s whispers. Her gestures get more frantic and the volume of her dissent rises, so conversation has lulled by the time she says, “I think there’s been a mistake.”

Right on cue—even though he doesn’t know it—Will asks, “Is there a problem, officers?”

The shorter, rounder of the two “cops” clears his throat. “Sorry to interrupt, but we need to speak with a William Talbot.”

The groom’s face pales. Kate rushes to his side. “Is it—has someone been hurt?”

The tall, thin “officer”—both of these guys are friends of Kate’s sister—shakes his head. “Nah, it’s nothin’ like that.” I’m not sure if his southern accent is for real. The first guy had the elegant drawl that colors most of the locals’ speech, but this guy is laying it on thick. It does give the scenario a bit of a creepyDeliverancefeel, though, so that’s a plus.

“There has been a crime however,” his partner adds, his accent thickening by the word, “and we just need to talk to Mr. Talbot down at the station.”

Kate grabs Will’s hand. “But we’re getting married tomorrow.”

The short cop waves that down. “Don’t worry, miss, you’ll have him back before that.”

“If he’s lucky,” the tall one mutters. Oh, man. They’ve even thrown in a good cop/bad cop routine.

Will crosses his arms over his chest. “Do I need to speak to a lawyer?”

Narrowing his eyes, the short cop says, “Why? Have you done something wrong?”

“No, but it sounds like you think I have,” Will grits out.

Kate takes his elbow as the two officers step closer to Will. The party guests instinctively fade back, creating a stage for the performance.

“Let’s just take this down to the station, and I’m sure everything will get sorted out,” Short Cop says with a cagey smile. Laura said they’d done some community theater, but these guys could be pros.I’malmost convinced.

Kate practically stamps her foot. “He’s not going anywhere.”

Alice has found her way to my side. A suppressed laugh squeaks out of her. I put my arm around her and pretend to comfort her. If she laughs, I’ll go too, and then this will all be over way too quickly.

Tall Cop raises a hand. “Miss, please. Let’s just do this nice and peaceful-like.”

Will’s hands fly out from his sides. “What the fuck? Am I under arrest?”

Short Cop shakes his head. “No need for profanity.”

“Well, excuse me if I’m a little upset.” Will doesn’t yell, but his powerful voice practically punches his accusers. “You’ve interrupted our party, I’m getting married tomorrow, and you just want me to go with you? I need to know what I’m accused of.”

Tall Cop shakes his head slowly, just like a sheriff in a western. “You really want to get into this in front of all these people?”

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