Page 254 of Summer Heat
When I sit back in my cubicle, I check my email and see Veronica’s name. The title of the email is Security. I open it and see a list of names. When your attorney—one that knows more about your life than you do—sends you a list of people to hire as your bodyguards, you know things are serious. I replay last night’s dream in my head. I can’t shake off the feeling that there’s something in that dream.
I end up working on a case until 7:00, and I’m thankful that I ate at Mark’s office. I say goodbye to Gina and the receptionist before heading out. The floor isn’t completely empty; I see lights still on in various offices. In the elevator, I rummage through my purse for my keys and phone. I find them both as I reach the floor of the underground parking garage. Unlike the offices, the lot is drastically empty.
I walk over to my car, dropping my keys twice as I try to unlock my phone with my other hand. I hear shuffling behind me, but I reach for the handle before I look back, and lock the doors as soon as I get in.
As I drive away, I notice a figure of a man in the corner of the garage, and it startles me so much that I slam on the brakes, making my car jerk forward. I let go of the brake slowly and continue driving up the curve toward the exit, leaving the dark figure behind. I’m watching my rearview mirror—just in case the figure moves into the light. Please walk into the light. My heart is pounding rapidly with adrenaline as I bite down on the tip of my thumb. I don’t care how late it is—when I get home, I’m hiring security.
I call Cole on my way home and tell him about my meeting with Mark and about what happened in the parking garage.
“Jesus, Blake, you’re freaking me out over here,” he says.
“I’m sorry. I had to tell you, though. I’m getting you security, too. You need it more than we do since you’re in the public eye.”
“Baby, I need it least because of that. Besides, don’t you think it’s a little awkward to have someone my weight and height shadow me?” he asks.
A bubbled laughter escapes me. “I hadn’t thought of that. I guess it is weird, but they’ll be trained and have a weapon, so I’m getting you one regardless.”
He chuckles. “I’ll get my own if it makes you feel better.”
“It does, but we have a list of people, so I’d feel safer if we choose from these.”
“Why are you trusting that Mark guy so much anyway?” he asks curiously.
This is a foreign concept—me trusting anybody outside of my circle.
I shrug, even though he can’t see me. “A gut feeling, I guess.”
“Hmmm, that’s fine. Just call the guys, but I’m paying for them.”
“Cole,” I groan. “It’s my fault we’re in this mess. Let Shelley’s money pay for them.”
“Baby,” he warns.
“Whatever, we’ll figure that out later,” I say quickly. I really don’t need this to turn into an argument.
Chapter Fourteen
Present
After bath time, Mommy always reads me a story. I’m in my pajamas, sitting in bed and waiting for her to pick one out. My mommy is the prettiest mommy ever. She has yellow hair and gray eyes that look like mine. She looks like a princess. Or a fairy. Everyone says I look just like Mommy. I hope so. I hope when I grow up I look pretty like my mommy.
“Tonight, we’ll read Love You Forever,” she says, smiling at me and showing me the b
ook with the messy kid by a potty.
I giggle and crinkle my nose. “That boy is silly.”
Mommy laughs and touches my nose. “Yes, boys are silly. Let’s read the book, so you can go to sleep. Tomorrow is a very important day. Do you know what day it is?”
“My birthday,” I squeal as I clap my hands together.
“Yes, your birthday,” she says, giggling. “You’ll be four. A big girl.”
I see water in Mommy’s gray eyes, and I kiss her cheek. I don’t want Mommy to be sad. She smiles at me and reads me the story. I feel my eyes getting heavy.
The last thing I hear Mommy say before I go to sleep is “As long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be.”
“I love you, Mommy,” I mumble as I drift into sleep.
