Page 29 of Uncovering Love: The Wedding

“EVELYN HARPER?” HER EYES AREwide, a bright blue, and soft waves of long blonde hair frame her face. She’s beautiful. Young. My heart squeezes a little knowing she’s the woman my brother-in-law chooses over Melissa. Determination to find proof lights within my forced smile as I stand from my chair.

“Amelia Moreau?” She nods. “Thank you for meeting me.” I extend my hand and she presses her palm to mine.

“No. Thank you. I’m glad this worked out.” She smooths the front of her blouse, and her eyes dart around the busy coffee bar.

“Can I get you something to drink?”

She shakes her head. “Oh, I’m fine.”

I point to the chair next to mine and we both take a seat. Nerves rattle my mind, and my hands shake so noticeably I clasp them together in my lap. I don’t meet with clients on my own. It’s mostly a safety issue, and for a moment I question whether I’m doing the right thing. I shake it off with an exhale and what I hope is a warm smile. “Your inquiry said you had a potential date you wanted us to investigate?”

“Yes. I’m ...” She glances around again and drops her gaze when answering. “This is embarrassing to say, but since coming to America I’ve had some not so good dating experiences.”

I lean forward to encourage her to continue. She lifts her gaze to meet mine and her eyes hold a depth of sincerity that’s startling. I have to work to keep my expression level when she speaks.

“It’s just that I am from a small town. Everyone knows everyone else. My father and uncles know everyone’s family, so I knew all the men I dated there. But here, in the city ...” Her attention drops to the glass table top and she seems to study the industrial gears that make up the design visible from beneath it.

I nod to encourage her to continue. “Yes?”

“The last man I dated was married,” she blurts. Her eyes are wide as she covers her mouth, almost as if she’d like to take back the words. “I didn’t know. I would never have started something with him, but it’s enough that I don’t want to repeat it.”

Anger coils inside at her admission. She must be referring to Drew. “Neither do I,” I retort and Amelia’s head tilts with her stare. Crap. That came out harsher than I meant. I stumble to cover my blunder. “In my line of work, we unfortunately see so much of that. Families torn apart by cheating. People pretending they’re someone other than who or what they are.”

Her spine straightens and she nods once. I’m not quite sure how to read her, so I lean back and take a sip from my lukewarm coffee.

“Your accent is beautiful, Amelia. Where exactly are you from?”

“France. I’m here on a student visa.”

I nod and try to smile again. “That’s exciting. Are you studying anything in particular?”

“Yes. I’m here for my doctorate in computer science.”

“That’s impressive. What did you say you did for work again?”

“I didn’t.” She gathers her purse and digs around for her keys. “Do you have any questions about the man I’d like you to look into?” She raises her brow and holds my stare.

I could kick myself. My over eagerness is coming through. The last thing I need is for her to be on guard. “Yes. I’ll need everything you know about him. You can email that to us. Name, age, contact information, social media profiles. Anything you have, and we’ll take it from there. We will vet him for you, but also, we want to know what are you looking for exactly. That he’s not married or in a relationship is the primary concern, but we can also look into how susceptible he is to cheating, or even if he’d be open to paying for companionship ... If those are also concerns of yours.”

“I think it would be easier if I don’t date at all!” She laughs on a harsh, tense breath, and for a glimmer of a second I see apprehension in her gaze.

I almost feel sorry for her, but then I remember she’s the reason for my sister’s unhappiness. “Our services don’t come cheap, but we guarantee results. I can send you over a contract and if everything looks agreeable, we’ll get started upon payment.”

“Can I think about it? I really am not sure I am cut out for American dating.” Her lips mash together and her left leg bounces from where it crosses over her right.

“Of course. There’s no commitment until you send the first payment.” Her body language screams that she’s ready to escape, but before she does I have to ask. “Just curious, how did you hear about us?”

Her eyes flick to her purse and she pulls out her cell phone, tapping across the screen before she meets my gaze again. “Oh, it was a colleague from the university. I’m sorry, I must go now. I have to get back to work.”

“Sure. Of course.” I stand when she does and offer my hand to shake hers again. “It was nice to meet you, Amelia. We’ll be in touch.”

She nods, offers a quick good-bye, and leaves me to ponder what the hell that just was. I’m a good judge of character, and while she seemed more than honest and authentic with some answers, there were times I could tell she didn’t want me to pry. The smart thing would be to come clean and admit to Jon what I did, recap tonight’s conversation, and accept the verbal thrashing he’s sure to deliver. Or ...

An idea strikes.

Yeah, I’ve already gone down a path I can’t erase. What the hell. Might as well go all out. I spring out of my seat, dig my keys from my bag, and cross the coffee shop in time to spot Amelia sliding into the driver’s seat of a silver Corolla. As casually as I can, I rush to my own car so I can tail her and discover exactly what she’s hiding.

Sneaking into the gated courtyard of Amelia’s condo complex proves no challenge. One flash of my smile and a college kid holds it open for me to pass first. I watched Amelia from my car and waited exactly five minutes before following. Plenty of time for her to climb one flight of stairs and go inside. At least, I hope she didn’t get held up. I’m extra careful, walking the lower perimeter of housing with my head down just in case.

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