Page 30 of Uncovering Love: The Wedding

Circling the community pool, empty on this April evening, I find a shrub I can hole up behind to shield my body from her second story view.The only problem. I’ll appear quite conspicuous crouched down at the edge of someone’s patio. The smart idea would be to leave now, but my compulsion to have this entire ordeal—along with the suspicion that Amelia’s hiding something—behind me causes me to throw caution to the wind.

Thankfully, there’re no motion censored patio lights and I slink into my hiding spot without drawing attention. The complex isn’t loud or busy. A few smokers step outside from time to time, and people come and go. Amelia’s door is in perfect view, and before I can check the time on my cell, a young man comes through the gate and jogs the steps straight to her door. He knocks once, and she greets him with a warm smile before he steps inside.

Not an hour goes by before the man leaves, and minutes later another appears, doing the exact same thing. I wish I had my equipment bag so I could photograph their faces. My cell captures images much too blurry from this distance. Instead I dig through my oversized purse and retrieve an old pair of binoculars. Never knowing when the opportunity might arise, I keep them with me so I’m always prepared.

The same pattern—one man leaves, another arrives to take his place—happens at the hour mark and dread fills my gut as I suspect my sister guessed right. Drew’s been paying for Amelia’s time. Except while these guys are only paying for an hour, he’s booking her entire night. She’s obviously running a business from her home, and illegally, since she got so uncomfortable when I started asking questions. She’s beautiful and bright, not someone I’d associate with prostitution, but my experience there is limited, even with my line of work.

I just can’t believe Drew would pay for her company.

I have to tell my sister. God, I don’t want to.

“Can I help you?” A deep voice at my back scares the shit out of me and I jump from where I’m crouched behind the shrubbery. Whirling, I’m met with brooding brown eyes framed beneath an Arizona State baseball cap.

“I don’t need any help, thank you.” I smile sweetly but his expression doesn’t change. If anything, it hardens with his scrutiny.

“Ma’am, you’re on private property. If you’re not here for an actual purpose, you need to leave.”

Ma’am. I dislike how that sounds. I’m only a few years older than him, and his calculating stare is filled with arrogance. As if he knows I’m not supposed to be here. Dressed in a pair of basketball shorts and a university T-shirt, he has no authority over me. Who made him the condo police? Channeling my inner Kate, I push my shoulders back and meet his glare with one of my own.

“I’m not doing anything that concerns you. Maybe you should go back to your apartment and finish your homework, young man.” The retort comes out bitchier than I intend and my eyes widen along with his.

“You’re spying on my friend. It sure as hell concerns me.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Cut the crap. You’re watching Amelia. Why?” He crosses his arms over his chest. I glance around, not wanting to draw attention. The place is like a ghost town and suddenly I feel very stupid for not letting anyone know where I am. Sure, this guy looks harmless but I don’t know him, and he obviously feels the need to play the tough guy. Maybe he’s a neighbor. Or maybe he’s one of her clients, but fell in love with her and now he’s obsessed.

Meeting his stare, I tip my head to her door. “How do you know Amelia?”

“I ain’t telling you shit, and you need to leave. Now. Before I call the cops.”

I let loose a relieved breath. If he really were dangerous, he wouldn’t be threatening to call anyone. Unless he’s trying to call my bluff. I decide to beat him to it. “But you wouldn’t do that, would you? Because then I’d have to share with the police why your friend is breaking at least six laws with the little song and dance she’s running up there.”

“Is that why you’re here? You and that other man have been watching her. She’s not in trouble, is she? She’s a good person.”

“Good people don’t cheat.”

“Cheat? Look I know taxes are important, but she’s offering a legit service because she has to, not because she wants to spend her nights like this. Just don’t ... don’t send her away. If there’s something she’s doing illegally, she can change it. Make up for it. Just don’t take away her opportunity to be here.”

He must not know who I am, or he thinks I have connections to law enforcement. I don’t correct him. That assumption provides me added safety, even though I don’t think he’d really hurt me. He’s protective. He’s more concerned with Amelia. “You love her,” I say, the realization falling from my lips.

“Who are you with? What can I do to help her?” His voice grows louder with each question.

I watch Amelia’s door from the corner of my eye, and when it swings open, her smiling face fills the entry as the man inside exits and waves good-bye. I turn away, internally chastising myself for this suicide mission. I’m not prepared. I had no real cover for being here, and the nineteen-year-old kid standing at my side could blow the entire investigation.

He glances at me, and then over my shoulder to wave. “Hey, Amelia.”

“Carlos, hey!”

“Good night?” he calls up, and I shoot him a warning glare. His brow rises, along with the corner of his mouth as if he finds my attempt at intimidation amusing. I try another tactic.

“Please don’t,” I whisper.

“More of the same,” Amelia answers and there’s a tinge of distress in her voice. I guess even prostitution gets wearisome day after day. “You going out?” There’s a change in her tone and I’m absolutely certain she sees me, but I don’t turn around. I pray my outfit of jeans, plain white tee and Chucks is simple enough she doesn’t expect I’m the same women from the coffee bar.

“Nah. Walking out a friend from class. You free later?”

Amelia laughs. “Carlos, it’s almost nine o’clock. You know I don’t go out.”

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