“My phone couldn’t couldn’t have vanished into thin air.”
“It’s probably on the floor,” Erin said with a yawn.
“Can you help me reach down and get it?”
Erin heaved a second deep sigh and dug around the floor, swishing yards of satin and tulle out of her way.
“Careful of my dress!”
“I’m being careful. And . . . it’s not here.”
“Marla!” Allie said, panic bringing tears to her eyes.
“Don’t you dare cry and mess up that makeup job. Here, grab the seat back and lift your bum.” Marla ran her fingers along the leather seat under Allie’s wedding gown. “Aha!” She held up the cell phone between two fingers and plopped it into Allie’s lap.
“You’re a lifesaver.” Allie quickly checked her voicemail. Sean’s deep voice spoke into her ear. “Hey, Allie, I had to run by the office to pick up a new report for this case. Mr. Thompson said I have to read it tonight. The defendant was caught—well, never mind what he was doing. I can’t tell you that. But I will be at the church. Hitting green lights now, almost to the office.”
His voice abruptly stopped and Allie stared at the lifeless phone. It would have been nice to hear an “I love you”, but perhaps he’d found a parking space and run inside the office building.
“What’s up?” Marla asked.
“Nothing,” she lied. “Everything is fine.” Inside, she couldn’t help fuming. “He might be five minutes late,” she added, just to prepare her family.
She hated when they complained about Sean and his awful work schedule. She didn’t want to give them any more ammunition than necessary. Sean was there for all the important occasions. Right now was a critical time in his career and when they were able to be together in the same house it would be so much easier to support each other.
“At least your flight isn’t until the morning,” Erin said, kicking off her tight dress shoes and studying her tanned legs. No doubt, Allie’s sister wanted to be at the lake water skiing.
“Sean will be there waiting for Allie with the minister,” Marla said reassuringly.
Despite her words, the sick feeling grew in Allie’s stomach.
When Marla nudged her, Allie thoughts scattered. In a low voice her friend said, “I know what you’re thinking.”
“What?” she hissed under her breath, not wanting the rest of the inhabitants of the car to overhear them; namely her diary-reading younger sister.
“You don’t want to be embarrassed if Sean is late because you know Courtney Willis is going to be in the front row of the church, watching you marry her old boyfriend.”
“The front row is reserved for family.”
“That was supposed to be rhetorical.”
Sadly, Allie knew what she meant. “In what universe is it fair that Sean’s old girlfriend gets paired up with my fiancé on this new high profile case?”
“In the universe of Ally Strickland,” Marla said prophetically.
“That is not funny.”
“I’m trying to get you to crack a smile. You should be glowing. You’re marrying the man of your dreams—not Courtney’s dreams. She lost him. Bask in the triumph. Hold your head high.”
“Why did Sean invite her in the first place? We had two arguments about Courtney over the past month.”
“I stamped all your wedding invitations myself. Sean sent one to every employee at the firm. He couldn’t leave her out, especially when they’re paired up on this case.”
“Why did she RSVP? Doesn’t she realize that she wasn’t actually expected to attend?”
Before Marla could answer, Jake turned off the ignition and jumped out to open the doors all around. “We’re here!”
Allie’s stomach lurched. The journey to the beautiful little church was over. The moment had arrived.
In forty-five minutes she would be Mrs. Sean Carter.
* * *
Continue reading THE NEIGHBOR’S SECRET here!
The Executive Page 20