Page 27 of Dirty Daria
“You too, huh?” He smiles as he asks.
I nod.
“What’s your poison? Smokey and the Bandit? Cannonball Run? The Longest Yard?”
“I’m a Smokey and the Bandit girl all the way. I wanted nothing more than to be Sally Field, leave my goofy groom at the altar, and race off into the sunset in a black Trans-Am.”
“My mom would like you.”
He looks at me. I look at him. A shiver runs through me. Not unlike what I feel when I’m with Reed.
Oh shit! Reed!
I almost forgot about him. And the wedding. And making sure everything is okay for my friends, the assassins. What am I doing talking to a cop?
I look around to make sure no one has seen us. Wouldn’t do for me to be associated with the law when I’m a vigilante now.
Oh. Except Reed is the law.
Shit, again.
“Reynolds!” Another police officer calls out to him. Burt turns back and holds a finger in the air signaling he’ll be right there.”
“Well, it was very nice meeting you, Quinn Foster. Maybe we’ll cross paths again.”
“Maybe.” I wave and watch his tight butt in those regulation black slacks as he walks out of my life. It’s for the better. I can’t handle juggling two law enforcement agents with my new career. That would be career suicide.
I head in the direction of the church. Even if the streets are closed, maybe there’s a way that I can sneak in and still be of some assistance. I hit a roadblock and I turn to head east alongside the perimeter trying to find a weakness in the barrier. Surprisingly, it doesn’t take long.
A young officer is by himself near the far corner. From where he is, it’s only a block to the church. I can see the steeple. I move forward, intent on just walking by to see what he will do.
“Excuse me,” I say as I move past him between the sawhorses and caution tape.
“Excuseme,” he says. Then he shakes his head. “I’m sorry, ma’am. Ma’am? You can’t go in there.”
I stop and turn to face him. “But I’m a guest, and I’m terribly late. If I don’t take this shortcut, I’ll never make it.”
“Do you have your invitation?”
“I’m afraid not. I tripped and dropped my purse a few blocks back, and my invitation fell into a puddle. Where it was stepped on. By a lot of people. And torn to shreds.”
He looks at me, brow raised.
“Another officer helped me when I fell, Officer Burt Reynolds.” I giggle, not being able to help myself.
“It is pretty funny that’s his name, huh?”
“Yes. You know his mom was a huge fan. She and I have that in common.” I wait to see what he will do. It’s obvious he’s conflicted.
“You can call Officer Reynolds and ask him. He didn’t seem too busy over there. At least not too busy for you.” I shuffle from foot to foot and look furtively in the direction of the church.
He looks me up and down, then smiles. “Go on ahead.”
“Thank you!” I gush. “Thank you so much! I really appreciate it.” I take off at a slight jog in the direction of the church. This could not have worked out better. Wait until Mack and Reed see that I got in anyway. Daria will be so impressed. And now I’ll be able to help the gang. Something I should have been allowed to do in the first place.
I reach the large, extended exterior stairwell leading up the front doors of the church and do my best toRockyrun to the top, not wanting to waste a second. There aren’t many people around, aside from security, so I’m sure the ceremony has either begun or is about to. I pause at the oversized wooden entrance doors and smooth my skirt. Check to make sure my hair is still in place, then run my fingers under my eyes to catch any makeup that may have melted or slid.
Here goes nothing.
