Page 36 of Vodka and Chocolate Drops

She replied to his comment by sticking out her tongue. He grinned. Always so darn cute.

“He usually doesn’t like anyone but me.” The woman gave her a long look as Amber continued to pet the dog, bracing herself as he leaned more weight against her legs. The woman’s gaze came to rest on Amber’s hands, and she tried to hide them in the retriever’s shaggy fur. She probably had dirt under her chewed nails, from trying to get the little plastic fence around her flowers to stay upright. She doubted anyone touched dirt or chewed their nails in this part of town.

“She’s great with dogs,” Scott said.

“Thankfully.” The woman studied Amber, apparently unable to look away from someone so obviously out of place. “I’m Delia.” She reached out to shake hands, and Amber froze.

Delia?

How many Delias lived in any given neighborhood?

Amber weakly shook the woman’s hand, barely daring to breathe. A young couple walked by with a baby stroller, and Delia turned to say hello to them. Amber backed away, giving them room to pass, trying to get Scott to flee with her.

“Oh, where are my manners?” Delia laughed, drawing Scott and Amber back in. “These are my neighbors, the Lunts. They’re over from the UK with their beautiful baby girl, Blossom. Isn’t she adorable?” Delia commandeered the stroller, turning it to face Amber and Scott. “Every time I see that darling little face it makes my own biological clock start ticking a little louder.”

Amber smiled at the baby, who rewarded her with a gummy grin. Amber laughed. “She is pretty adorable.”

“I babysit her whenever I can steal her away.”

The parents laughed, then leaned in to share a quick peck, making Amber wish she could have something like that.

Someday.

She was going to figure out this Thompson bad-luck gene and break it. Defeat it. Overcome it. And her sister was going to help her.

“I’m Scott,” he said, shaking everyone’s hand, and Amber reminded herself to bury the man’s body somewhere nobody would think to look. The last thing she needed was introductions that would undoubtedly lead Delia to figure out there was a connection between this Amber and the one she had been emailing.

“They helped me with Sasquatch,” Delia said, tugging her dog closer. “This is…” She held out her hand to Amber. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name.”

“Amber,” she said, while clearing her throat.

“Sorry? Amber?”

She nodded reluctantly.

“You know it’s funny, I met an Amber just the other day,” Delia said thoughtfully. “It’s not a common name.”

“Neither is Delia,” she said, staring at the cracks in the sidewalk. Fancy places shouldn’t have cracks, but this one did. The idea was strangely comforting.

The Lunts said goodbye and continued their walk.

“Well, we should go,” Amber said quickly.

“Right. Good luck with your dog,” Scott stated.

“You look familiar,” Delia said, stopping Amber.

“Oh, just a common face.”

“No, I saw you on the news! That’s where. What was it? You’re an author or something?”

“I get that a lot. Nice to meet you.” Amber began hurrying to the truck, but found the dog following her, blocking her way with his body, allowing his owner to catch up.

Scott opened the door for Amber, and Delia, as if sensing she was about to lose them, blurted out, “But it’s something else, beyond the book. You’re familiar, like I’ve met you before.”

“Yeah, weird, right?” Amber was feeling the same way and it made her uncomfortable, only she knew why.

She gave Scott a look. It was supposed to be a drive-by. This was definitely more than that and it was all his fault.

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