Page 51 of Tempt My Heart

"That explains a lot," Christopher said dryly. "Did I tell you that he tried to throw Blake a bachelor party?"

"Isn't that… standard?"

"Only if you're classless, darling," Denver said in what was clearly supposed to be an imitation of Rose.

"Bachelor parties are for people who are sad to be getting married, apparently." Christopher shrugged. “That’s why they just did one big engagement party."

"I think that's a little harsh," she said with a snort. "When I get married, I'll definitely be having a bachelorette party," she said warningly to Christopher and then blushed when he folded his arms and tilted his head, amusement dancing in his eyes.

"Wow, things really have progressed since the last time I saw you both."

"I liked you more when you were less chatty," she shot at Denver and Christopher laughed.

"I think we're getting off track," Denver said, narrowing his eyes on her.

She sighed. “I’m just not sure it will work. Jared was pissed after the engagement party, that’swhyhe burned my mom’s place to the ground. I don’t know if he’ll still trust me to get this done for him.”

They fell silent as they mused over her words until Denver squinted into the distance like he was thinking really hard. “So maybe you don’t have to invite him.”

“What?”

“You said he keeps somehow following you, right? Pass me your phone.”

She dug it out of her pocket and handed it over, shooting a quizzical look at Christopher which he returned with a shrug. “What is it?”

Denver winced. “I’m guessing you didn’t know that you’re sharing your location with him on here?”

“What?”Fuck. Of course that was how he was following her, she should have thought to check her cell sooner—she had never been worried about leaving him alone with it when they were together. God knows what else he might have done on there.

“I’m sorry,” she said to Christopher. “I led him right to you.”

“Hey,” he said, pulling her close and tucking her under his arm. “It’s okay. Denver can up the security here for us, if Jared takes a single step onto the property we’ll know about it.”

She blew out a breath and nodded as she looked back to Denver and he passed her phone back. “So, what? I just pretend I don’t know he’s keeping track of me and lead him straight to the wedding?”

“Exactly,” Denver said, leaning against the wall and crossing his legs at the ankles in front of him. "So what do you say? Feel like being bait?"

ChapterTwenty-Five

In the end, they'd agreed to Denver's plan because there weren't many other options other than betraying David and Rose's trust.

It was so quiet where Christopher's house was that it was almost unnerving. She could hear her thoughts a little too clearly without the roar of traffic and city life acting like white noise.

Christopher stepped out onto his back porch and wrapped a blanket around her shoulders as she turned to smile at him. He didn't have a garden in the traditional sense, but the enclosed porch overlooked the wooded area behind and surrounding the house. Despite being out in the open, it felt like they were completely alone in the world.

"Are you okay with this?" he asked and she shrugged.

"I kind of have to be."

"No, we can find another way or we can wait for the cops to catch him."

She nearly wanted to laugh, because otherwise she might cry. When had this become her life? Discussing whether to talk to the cops again or act like an amateur sleuth to lure her ex out of hiding?

The air was fresh and she breathed in deep as she mulled over what he was saying. "I think Denver's right. The wedding is probably our best shot."

He nudged her playfully before wrapping his arms around her above the blanket. "Sounds like you're going to need another dress then," he teased.

"I don't think I can ever go back into that store." She laughed. "That saleswoman definitely knew what we were up to."

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