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“I recommend staying clear when she finds out one of her friends did this.”
* * *
COLE SQUINTED AS he checked out the strip club. The building was a lot different when all the lights were on and the music stopped. The paramedics had left with Heidi on a stretcher and now the place felt barren and deserted. The white tablecloths and colorful flower arrangements couldn’t hide the utilitarian setting.
“Anything else?” he asked Linda, the first officer on the scene. He remembered her from the force. Sometimes he missed the camaraderie at the police station. He missed having a partner. Having backup.
“Yeah, I really like the outfit, Foster,” Linda said as she tapped her pen against her notebook. “It’s so you.”
He crossed his arms and glared at her. He couldn’t wait to get out of these leather pants and put a shirt on. “Yeah, yeah, yeah. I’ve already heard it from the other guys. I’m sure all the customers are curious about how I know everyone.”
“They can think you’re friends with a few guys in law enforcement. Get over it. We have more important concerns. Now let me go over this statement again.”
Cole took a deep breath. Linda was right. It didn’t matter if they found out he was an ex-cop or a private investigator. He needed to know what happened to Heidi. It bothered him that he got distracted and she was injured on his watch.
“So,” Linda began as she perused her notes, “you were giving a lap dance.”
He pressed his lips together. “I was undercover.”
She raised her eyebrows. “To your ex-girlfriend.”
“She’s a bridesmaid.” He glanced over to Angie. She was sitting alone, her arms and legs crossed, her face tilted away from the rest of the guests. She was quiet and thoughtful while the others chatted or used their cell phones.
“And the lap dance was how long?”
“I wasn’t keeping track.” Cole spotted Linda holding back a smile. He winced. He was never going to hear the end of this. “What hospital is the victim going to? I should notify her family.”
The woman’s smile disappeared and she gave a nod, sliding back into her professional demeanor. “I’ll find out and get back to you.”
“Thanks.” He gestured back to where they had found Heidi on the floor. “What do you think happened?”
Linda shrugged. “I think drinking and high heels don’t mix.”
He shook his head. “I don’t think that’s it. Something is not right.”
“You suspect foul play? Because I don’t see that. I see it as bad luck. Is there something about your case that you’re not sharing?”
“It’s about the angle that she fell. We found her face-first but her injury was on the back of her head. And why didn’t she break her fall with her hands?”
“That doesn’t necessarily mean someone hurt her.” Linda pocketed her notepad and stepped away. “We’ll find out more when she regains consciousness.”
Cole rubbed his hands over his face. He had found Heidi two weeks ago and had been investigating her life. He wished he had more answers.
He turned and walked over to Angie. He paused in midstep. Was that wise? She was distracting him. It would be best to talk to the other women and to ignore her presence.
No, he couldn’t do that. He quietly sat down next to Angie. He wasn’t sure what to say but he wanted to be there for her. He knew what she was like after a scare or an emergency. She did what needed to be done and then her adrenaline kicked in. He wanted to keep watch over her.
“Why are you sitting all the way over here?” he asked. Angie was always friendly and could talk to anyone about anything. He always liked that about her and wished he could be the same. It was a skill he had to develop for his job but it didn’t come easy.
“I’m about ready to tackle Brittany if she doesn’t shut up,” she answered. “I’d rather not do it in front of the police.”
Yes, he’d made the right decision. He would have to watch her closely or she would let her emotions get the best of her.
“Don’t you find it weird that Brittany hasn’t shown any concern for Heidi?” Cole asked as he watched the bride-to-be pace the floor. “All she’s worried about is whether this affects her wedding ceremony.”
“You never know how someone will react in a stressful situation,” Angie said. She paused and glanced at him. “But, honestly, I expected this from Brittany.”
“Why?” Brittany wailed as she sat down with a thump. Several women rushed over to pull her back up. “Why did she have to have an accident right before the wedding?”
“Does she expect you to go over there?” Cole asked. “You are a bridesmaid. Isn’t taking care of her one of your duties?”
“Not going to happen,” Angie said. “What did the police say about Heidi? Was it an accident?”
“The police are treating it as one. I can’t say that it wasn’t.” He hoped it was an accident. If someone harmed her, he had no evidence of motive or means.
“I warned her not to wear those heels!” Brittany’s voice rang through the club.
“Great, now she’s revising history.” Angie slid down in her chair. “You may have to hold me back.”
He knew it was all talk. Angie could take down a man twice her size but the only time he’d seen her use those skills was in the bedroom. Cole smiled as he remembered those lighthearted moments and the hot sex that came after. He shifted restlessly in his seat and tried to focus on something else. “How do you know she’s not telling the truth?”
“Brittany told Heidi to buy those shoes,” Angie said. “We were at the mall picking up last-minute stuff for the party.”
Cole watched the police leave the scene. “Seems like everyone can go home now. I can finally get out of these leather pants.”
“And this bachelorette party from hell has officially ended.” She tensed beside him. “Brittany is coming over here. I will not be held accountable for my actions.”
“Think of Patrick,” he advised. “The guy has been your best friend for years.”
“That should count for something. He’s only known Brittany for a year.”
“Doesn’t matter,” he said, feeling suddenly weary. He knew from experience that Angie needed to take a step back and keep her mouth shut or she would regret it. “Patrick will choose Brittany’s side over yours every time. Take my word for it.”
Angie gave him a sharp look as if his advice revealed something she hadn’t seen in him. He was almost grateful that Brittany was suddenly standing in front of Angie.
“We’ll need an emergency meeting,” Brittany told Angie as she tried to wipe the mascara streaks with a tissue. “Meet up at the usual Starbucks tomorrow afternoon at four.”
“Why?” Angie asked. “Are we going to visit Heidi?”
“We don’t have time for that,” Brittany said, dismissing the suggestion with the wave of her hand. “We have to decide what happens if Heidi can’t be maid of honor. A groomsman will need to be let go. Then we have to rework the processional and recessional. I really don’t need this extra work.”
“Your maid of honor was seriously injured at the bachelorette party,” Angie reminded her.
“Careful,” Cole muttered.
“Shouldn’t you postpone the wedding? Maybe downsize it?” she said hopefully.
Brittany took a step closer. “I’m already down one bridesmaid.”
Angie frowned and her mouth was set in a straight line. “But...”
“Angie—” Brittany’s voice dropped “—I have planned my wedding for years. I have waited for this day. Nothing and no one is going to get in my way.”
Cole didn’t like the threat he heard in Brittany’s voice. He grasped Angie’s forearm, reminding her that he was there as backup. He was tempted to pull her behind him and wedge himself between Angie and Brittany.
Angie went rigid. He sensed her struggle, but after a tense moment, Angie nodded and smiled. “Got it.”
“Good.” Brittany glared at Angie before she swiveled on her impractical heels and stalked off. “Be at Starbucks by four.”
Cole watched the bride-to-be leave. Every step pulsed with hostility. “What would happen if you didn’t show?” he asked Angie. “Would you get kicked out of the bridal party?”
“Oh, if only,” she said as she pulled from his grasp.
Cole studied Angie. “You’re really not enjoying this wedding.”
“I have to deal with that,” she said, gesturing at Brittany, “and I have spent way too much money on the dress. Brittany also expects us to attend all these events. I’ve been to six wedding showers. Six! I don’t think I can take much more.”
“You can’t miss anything?” An idea started to form.
“Not one! Which is why I had to take off work for the next week.” She stopped and took a long, deep breath then released it. “I shouldn’t complain. This is Patrick’s wedding and I’m glad he wants me to be part of it.”
“But?” he asked as they walked to the exit.
“This wedding is a train wreck and nothing is going to stop it.”
“Do you want it to stop?” Was she worried about her friend? Did she feel the need to take matters into her own hands? No, he discarded that idea immediately. That was not Angie’s idea of friendship.
“I would never sabotage a wedding— Wait.” She whirled around and looked at him. Her eyes narrowed as she considered the meaning behind his question. “Do you think I tried?”
“No.” He’d always admired Angie’s loyalty to her friends and family. She tried to be supportive even if she didn’t understand their choices.
“Because there has been one setback after the next now that I think about it. So many...but I’ve been helping to fix the problems. Patrick wants Brittany to have the perfect wedding and I’m doing everything I can.”
Cole raised his hands in surrender. “I believe you.”
She pointed her finger at him. “And if you think I had something to do with Heidi’s accident—”
“Whoa! It never crossed my mind. I’m your alibi, remember?”
Angie poked at his chest. “I want to get this wedding over and done with. That’s all.”
“That’s not surprising since you have to go to every event.” He needed that kind of access if he was going to find out more about Heidi and her accident.
“Weddings used to be so simple,” Angie said as she continued walking. “When I get married, it’s going to be on a beach with a few friends and a minister. Shoes optional.”
Cole felt the weight of regret settle in his chest when he heard those words. When she got married. Did she have someone in mind or was this in theory? All he knew was that he wasn’t part of those plans.
Angie dipped her head as if she were embarrassed for mentioning her ideal wedding to an ex. “I should get going,” she said, awkwardly motioning at the door. “I hope your undercover work goes well.”
“Thanks,” he said gruffly. “You need a ride?”
“No, I’m on the party bus,” she said as she moved backward. Her steps were slow, as if she wanted to say something more.
“Angie?” Cole hesitated. He wasn’t sure if he should do this. If he should say anything. If he had any other option, he wouldn’t pursue this.
She kept walking backward. “Yeah?”
He shifted from one foot to the other. This was probably a bad idea. “I know we didn’t end well and I’m really sorry about that, but...”
She stopped walking. “Yeah?”
“I need to get into the wedding.” He said the words in a rush. “Are you going with anyone?”
4
“THE NERVE OF that man,” Angie muttered to herself. “Did he think I would jump at the chance to take him?” He most likely did. She had never denied him anything in the past.
Angie blew out a puff of air as she ran around the empty high school track. It was a cold and damp morning. The evergreen trees, spindly and clustered together, did nothing to stop the breeze as the sun weakly shone through the haze of clouds. She splashed through the puddles from last night’s rain and kept moving.
Most people would be reluctant to get out of bed on this kind of day. She had wanted to toss the covers over her head and act like last night didn’t happen. Push away the memory of Heidi injured and unconscious. Forget about Brittany and her demands. Erase Cole completely out of her mind.
Seeing Cole Foster last night had left her unsettled. Every time she tried to sleep, her fragmented dreams were about him, bare-chested and wearing leather pants. Only this time, she boldly touched his muscular body. In her dreams, she encouraged him for more. She wasn’t afraid to take charge.
Angie clenched her teeth and pumped her arms and legs harder. What was it about that man? When she had been with him, she’d felt like she could ask for anything. Try everything. But she had gone too far. Deep down, she must have known. She had held back from exploring her fantasies until she felt secure in the relationship. But it didn’t matter how long she waited. He still ran.
She thought he was different from the other guys. She heard enough boasting to know the men in her world liked their women clingy and submissive. She couldn’t be like that. She was forthright and a little impatient, but she was never aggressive in bed until she was with Cole. She didn’t ask for anything she wouldn’t give to him.
But apparently he didn’t like a strong and powerful woman in bed. A woman who made it very clear how much she wanted him and what she wanted from him. She had felt safe but excited. She trusted he wouldn’t judge her, wouldn’t think less of her. When she had looked into his eyes, she felt like a goddess. But she had been wrong. She had mistaken adoration with intimidation. She had scared him off.
She had learned her lesson. Next time, she would allow the man to take the lead. From now on she would keep her fantasies to herself.
If she wanted to feel strong and powerful, she’d focus on other parts of her life. Like her job and on the track. There she would be encouraged to push herself to the limits. There she could shine.
Angie rounded the bend and saw someone standing at the gate that led to the parking lot. Her steps faltered when she recognized the car parked next to hers. Her heart kicked against her ribs when she saw that it was Cole waiting for her.
Why was this happening? Angie’s chest tightened at the sight of him. She hadn’t seen him for a year and thought he had moved out of Seattle. They had never crossed paths since he returned. Now she’d seen him twice in two days. She wasn’t sure if she was ready to deal with him again. How often would she look at him and think of the broken dreams and the ruined promise of a future together?
And it wasn’t fair, she decided as she maintained her pace. Cole still had the ability to make her pulse skip hard. While she was expected to put effort in her appearance, Cole could throw on some clothes and still manage to look sexy.
Her gaze traveled down the length of his body. The blue buttoned-down shirt skimmed his lean, muscular chest and strong arms. He had incredible strength but he could still gently embrace her. Her gaze lowered and she noticed his faded jeans that emphasized his powerful legs. She always admired how he moved with lethal grace, yet she could outrun him.
She had always been attracted to his mix of force and restraint. He liked to dress casually but had a commanding presence. He spoke with authority in his low, husky voice. Her heart would do a slow flip whenever she saw a twinkle in his dark blue eyes or a curve of a smile on his stern mouth.
As she got closer, she saw his serious expression. The lines on his tired face were deep. It looked as if he hadn’t slept.
No, she wasn’t going to feel sorry. It wasn’t her job to worry or look after him. She wasn’t his girlfriend anymore. She didn’t want to see him. Feel anything for him. She felt too raw, too unprepared.
But she couldn’t avoid him. She had a few more laps to go, but she knew she wouldn’t be able to concentrate with him watching her. If she ignored him here, he would keep at it until she listened. She used to like his persistence. Now, it was just annoying. She knew it was better to get this over and done with.
