Page 17 of Into the Shadows

He was so angry, and I'm not sure if it was at me specifically or just in general. It almost felt like he had this black cloud hanging over his head. I don't know what I'm going to do.

Gia says this is the proof I need to move on. It should be. He obviously doesn't want anything to do with me, but the small part of me that's still in love with him can’t let him go that easily.

Teddy being alive is only making me think about what could be. He lives in Sonoma now; how am I supposed to let that go?

I have to, though, for the sake of my sanity. I just need to dive into a new case and forget about it. The problem is, I’ve run out of crimes to research. I have yet to find one that will fit my show.

Or maybe I’m the problem. The ones I’ve researched would probably have done great; they just aren’t what I’m looking for right now.

“Does anyone want another beer?” I call out.

“I’ll take one,” Michael says.

I grab two from the fridge and walk back to the living room. The large grey sectional is plenty big enoughfor the five of us to sit on comfortably. I hand Michael his beer and then plop down next to Ryan.

“How are things at the shop?” I ask him. He helps his mom run Blooming Beautiful, our local flower shop. He’s the most talented man I’ve ever met. The bouquets he creates are works of art. He’s brought in a ton of tourists just by posting his arrangements on Instagram.

“Things are good, a little slow since it's winter, but we've had a couple of weddings to help make up for it.”

“Are you still looking for help?” Gia asks.

“Yeah, everyone we’ve interviewed wants full-time hours.”

“I might know someone who’d be interested,” Gia says.

“Send them our way. We could use the help. How are Ginny’s wedding plans coming?”

“I couldn't tell you. Ginny's got wedding planners and managers and all of that shit handling the details. Mom and I spend most of our time listening to her talk. It seems to be getting out of control very quickly.”

“Ginny never wanted anything over-the-top. Why doesn't she say something?” Carson asks.

Gia gives him a look. “You know Ginny. She won’t say anything that could hurt somebody's feelings.”

“So…what? She’s just going to have a wedding she doesn’t even like?” Carson argues.

Gia shrugs. “I guess so. Mom and I are supposed to go out there for dress fittings soon, but I don't know.” Gia glances over at me with a sad look on her face. “She really wanted you to be one of her bridesmaids, but even having me as a bridesmaid was already pushing it.”

I frown. “What? I couldn't care less about me being a bridesmaid. I want Ginny to have whatever wedding she wants, but are you saying you almost didn’t get to be one, either?”

“Yeah, I don't really understand it, but I guess they havecertain people they want in the wedding, and the photo opportunities are better with these specific people. I don't know. I’m pretty sure I'm only in the wedding because Ginny and I are twins. It would look weird if I wasn't.”

What a nightmare. My heart hurts for Ginny. “I wish there was something we could do.”

“I’m just supporting her as best I can and trying not to ruffle any feathers.”

Carson snorts. “That's one of your specialties, though.”

Gia gives him a dirty look. “Shut up.”

The rest of us laugh at their bickering.

“Lottie, your dad was trying to get me to tell him what case you're working on next.” Michael smirks at me. He works for Dad as a police officer.

I roll my eyes. Of course, he was. “I told him I don't have one right now.”

Michael tilts his head. “He probably thinks you're keeping it a secret from him or something because it’s dangerous.”

“Probably. I'll talk to him. Any chance you've got an idea for a case I could look into? I’m struggling to pick one out.”

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