Page 49 of Happily Never After

“I didn’t ask for this.” She waved a hand at the trees crawling by. “Do you think I want to sleepwalk? To feel so out of control all the time? To have a national network of serial killers burning down my office and blowing up my car? Do you think I want to feel scared all the time?”

“Klonopin would help with your anxietyandyour sleepwalking. You’re being selfish.”

Claire’s mouth dropped open. It would have hurt less if he had dropkicked her out of the golf cart. “Don’t youdareaccuse me of being selfish. I spend my entire life slaving overdetails, trying to create beauty for other people. I’m not going to jeopardize my entire career by becoming a drug-addled zombie.”

He sighed and wiped a hand over his face. “I don’t get it.”

“Get what?”

“You would do anything—anything—for someone else. But you won’t take care of yourself. You can’t plan proposals if you’re dead, Claire.”

“I’ll be sure to mention that to the next person who tries to kill me.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. Her lip ached where she had bitten it. They rode back to the house in silence. Luke parked the golf cart in the garage and pulled out the key. They both sat, unmoving. Was he about to pick another fight? Her heart couldn’t take it.

“I’m sorry for calling you selfish.”

Claire unclenched her hands. The comment still stung, but she was tired to the bone. She didn’t have it in her to argue. “I’m sorry for stealing the golf cart. For the record, I know this is bad. Maybe the exercise approach isn’t sustainable. I’ll think about the meds, okay? I just want to do some research before I commit.”

His hand rested on her knee. “You’re just saying that to placate me, aren’t you?”

“No,” she said defensively. She would make this decision the way she always (well, usually) made decisions—thoughtfully, and with a binder full of research and a comprehensive pros and cons list. And that could take weeks. Certainly not until after Brad’s proposal.

“Come on. Bed.” He grabbed her hand and lifted her, draping her over one shoulder. “I’m getting the handcuffs.”

“Do what you must.”

Hours later, after a medium-okay night of sleep, Claire stood in the kitchen.

“No, Mom, there’s no need to come up here.” She all but groaned into the phone as she poured another cup of coffee. Opening the refrigerator, she frowned at a container of deli meat and tossed it into the trashcan.

“But, Clairebear, someoneburned downyour office space.” Alice’s voice was more pinched than usual.

“Yes, but you coming up here would only put you in the path of whatever dangerous idiots are trying to ruin my life. And besides, we leave for LA in the morning so we won’t even be here. Stay where you are, please.” She picked up the remainder of the gallon of milk and dumped it down the drain.

Alice sighed. “I don’t like this, Claire. I’m going to call Brian.”

“Don’t you dare.” The last time Alice had called Brian the PI, Mindy had nearly assaulted him in an alleyway. “I don’t need private security. I’m going to the other end of the country. It’ll be much harder for them to find me there.”

She slammed the refrigerator door and headed to her office, letting her mother yammer on speakerphone. After a quick Google search, several sheets of paper spat out of her printer. She gathered them into a neat pile and three-hole punched them before setting them on top of a binder marked “LA Preparedness.”

She glanced down at the list of possible natural disasters on her desk and scratched off “earthquakes.” Time for wildfires.

Alice was still talking a mile a minute on the other end of the line as Claire searched.

“Los Angeles is dangerous, Claire. Even if they don’t follow you there, you could get swept up by a tsunami or buried by an earthquake or?—”

Claire eyed the corners of the room. Surely her mother hadn’t installed security cameras without her noticing. “Mom, everything’s going to be fine. It’s only a few weeks. I have to go. I need to finish packing.”

Alice sighed like Claire had just told her she was permanently relocating to the jungles of Borneo. “Fine. But I’m going to read your cards tonight.”

“Please don’t. I love you. Bye.” She stabbed the “end” button until the call disconnected.

Her gaze fell on the Happily Ever Afters sign that Nicole had rescued from the wreckage. She had abandoned it in the corner of her home office. How was it possible that her whole office was gone? Countless memories, thoughtfully selected linens and decorations. Pictures and thank you notes from clients. Karen’s priceless childhood saddle. All gone because of some homicidal assholes. She wouldn’t stand for it.

“How’d she take it?” Luke popped into the doorway.

Claire screamed.

---