Page 48 of Happily Never After

She shrugged. “I guess this is what happens when you piss off a bunch of serial killers. And have the misfortune of sharing DNA with the head of the task force trying to take them down.”

Jack wasn’t a hugger, but concern radiated from him as he put one hand on her shoulder. Her stepfather, on the other hand, was the best hugger she knew. When she had a bad day in high school, Roy would hold her close and whisper kind things in Spanish until she felt better.

“I have someone coming down from the Bureau to check out the scene.” Jack withdrew his hand and put it in his pocket.

“Thanks,” she said. It wouldn’t do any good. She needed a nap, a platter of tacos, and a gallon of tequila. But she still had to deal with the insurance company. And triple-check her packing for LA. And close down Luke’s house. Now that ESA had destroyed nearly everything she owned, Brad’s proposal was more important than ever. She couldn’t delay even by a day. No matter what happened, she was getting on a plane first thing Monday morning.

“I know you’re leaving soon, but Tanya’s made you some soup. I’ll put it in your car before I leave. I’m going to talk to the officers.” Jack turned on his polished shoes and set off for the clump of people at the other end of the lot.

“What do vegan Wiccans put in soup?” Mindy whispered loudly.

There was movement at the other end of the lot. Two officers joined her father and headed back toward her.

Claire squared her shoulders as the officers approached. “Let me guess. Arson.”

The cops exchanged a glance. “We believe so. We found multiple points of origin and evidence of accelerants. Here’s the incident number for your insurance claim.”

She took the paper. “Great. Well, luckily, the perpetrators were a secret organization that I’m not allowed to talk about. You can ask this guy.” She gestured to her father before turning on her heel. The Happily Ever Afters sign was still clutched under one arm.

“Tacos?” Luke said as he appeared at her elbow. His hand snaked around her back, and he pulled her close.

She nodded and turned to look at the smoldering remnants one more time. Wind stirred the ashes. The warehouse had been like the third member of Happily Ever Afters, graciously hosting every harebrained scheme Claire and Mindy could concoct. They had spent countless hours brainstorming around their polished conference table and wandering the aisles looking for the perfect romantic decor. And now it was all gone.

She turned away, focusing on the warmth of Luke’s arm around her. ESA would never take another thing from her. They were going to pay.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

To Do:

- Triple check inventory spreadsheet

- Send thank you donuts to fire dept

“Claire. Wake up.”Luke’s voice cut like a knife.

Her eyes flew open. She was tilted at a curious angle, surrounded by darkness. Wind tugged at her hair. Inexplicably, a steering wheel was clenched in her hands.

“Oh, shit.”

Not again. She had just gotten the sleepwalking under control. Now, from the looks of things, she had driven Luke’s new golf cart into a ditch.

He removed her hands and slid her across the seat. A slant of moonlight hit him as he climbed behind the wheel. His eyes were bloodshot, brows creased. She bit her lip. This wasn’t going to be a fun conversation.

“How did you find me?” she asked.

“I followed the trail of canned ravioli and kitchen knives you left behind.” The barely suppressed anger wafted off him like toxic fumes.

“Oh.” She fell silent. Something hard was in her bra. She fished it out as Luke reversed out of the ditch and drove them back toward the house.

A Taser and a burrito emerged. She unwrapped the burrito and took a bite. Still good. She offered it to Luke. Maybe a bra burrito would soothe his frazzled nerves. He took the burrito and whipped it into the forest.

“Hey!” She turned around.

“You need to try the medication.” His knuckles were white on the steering wheel.

She straightened and faced him. They had had this argument more than once. “I’m not taking Klonopin,” she hissed. “I’m going the all-natural route. Soothing sleep routine, meditation, and exercise.”

“Oh yeah? And how’s that going for you?” Luke reached behind him and dropped a black JanSport onto the seat. Cans and knives were visible through a gap in the zipper. “I’m tired of you ignoring your problems. You’re going to hurt yourself. Or someone else.”

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