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Olivia grimaced. “It’s possible. I brush that kind of thing off when I’m working. Professionalism is very important to me.”
Cole made a mental note to have Olivia review the weddings from the last six months in more detail. The stalking started five weeks ago, so if she interacted with her stalker, it was likely shortly before then. “Do most of the couples you work for live in Serenity?”
“When I was first starting out, yes. Now I’m getting referrals from three counties over. I’ve been forced to travel a lot for work, which is why it’s been hard to make enough time for my grandparents and friends. That’s only gotten more difficult since my assistant quit.”
Cole remembered Eli mentioning that at the police station. “When did she quit?”
She gave him a pointed look. “He quit three weeks ago.”
“Your assistant was a man?”
“Yes.” Olivia’s tone suggested she’d heard derogatory comments from people about that fact. “David was one of the best assistants I’ve ever had. He worked for me for a year. But then he got engaged to his college sweetheart and moved back to Houston. I was sorry to see him go, but I know the long distance was draining for their relationship.”
Cole couldn’t imagine spending his days as a wedding planner. He wasn’t much for parties to begin with, but weddings in particular often seemed performative. Especially since so many couples divorced a few years later. Others stayed together but were unhappy and constantly fighting, as was the case with his own parents.
He’d been around happily married people—there were several in Company A—but Cole often wondered if those couples would still be together thirty years from now. It was hard to know. There were no guarantees. Which is exactly why he avoided commitment entirely.
Shoving those thoughts aside, he focused on the issue at hand. “What was your relationship with David like?”
“David was my colleague, and I consider him a friend. There was nothing romantic between us. Ever.” Olivia’s gaze narrowed and a flush rose in her cheeks. “You can’t possibly believe he’s my stalker.”
Cole didn’t take offense at her biting tone. She was defending a friend. It made her loyal, albeit misguided. He’d learned a long time ago that everyone had secrets, and many were very good at hiding their true selves from others. Including people who loved and cared for them. “As far as I’m concerned, we need to consider everyone a suspect. Including David.”
She arched a brow. “Are you going to accuse my pastor too? What about my elderly neighbor next door?”
He shrugged. “If I have to.” Cole met her heated gaze with his own. “I’ll do whatever is necessary to sort this out.”
The determination coursing through him must’ve been reflected in his expression, because Olivia released a breath and her shoulders dropped. She rubbed her forehead. “I’m sorry. Of course, you’re only trying to help.” She sighed. “I don’t want to believe that whoever is behind this is someone I know well.”
Sympathy stabbed at him. Cole had been accused of letting persistence run roughshod over people’s feelings before. Last year, he nearly lost Eli as a friend by accusing Sienna of lying about a murder case. It turned out she was telling the truth. After apologizing, Cole and Eli had smoothed things over, but the painful lesson lingered. He couldn’t let his naturally suspicious nature color a case. Sometimes, things were just what they seemed to be.
Maybe Olivia was right, and David was a true friend. Time—and an investigation—would reveal that. But until there was a reason to doubt Olivia’s impressions, Cole should be gentler in his approach. “No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pushed so hard.”
She gave him a weak smile. “Can we finish this conversation tomorrow? I’m tired.”
“Of course.” He picked up the bill. “It’s been a long night. Let’s get you home.”
Cole settled up with the cashier. The night air was frosty as they exited the restaurant. His gaze scanned the parking lot, senses on high alert for any sign of danger, but nothing stirred. Still, he wouldn’t let down his guard. Not for a moment.
Olivia was quiet during the short drive to her home. Cole sensed she was pondering their conversation. He gave her the space to think. His own thoughts were a jumble and needed sorting out. Days of little sleep had left his emotions on edge. That was the only explanation for this increasing sense of awareness when it came to the beautiful woman sitting next to him. Her perfume teased his senses, and he wrestled with the urge to take her hand. To comfort her, as she’d so easily done to him in the diner when they’d discussed his parents.
Cole rarely talked about his family. The words had come easily with Olivia though. Probably because she’d spoken openly about her own loss. There was a connection there, but it went deeper than that. The kindness she’d demonstrated… the easy affection… it did something to him. Something scary and yet captivating all at the same time. Cole didn’t know whether to run from her or lean closer.
Dangerous thoughts. He’d take Olivia home, report back what he’d learned to Eli, and then head to Corpus Christi in the morning. Some distance—and a good night’s sleep—would fix everything.
The GPS steered Cole to a small clapboard house with a trim yard and a cheery yellow mailbox. An iron bench rested under the branches of a large elm tree. He retrieved Olivia’s laptop bag from the seat—Chief Sims had returned it to her after she’d dropped it running from the attacker—and circled the vehicle to open her door. She winced slightly while getting down.
Cole took her elbow. “I’ll walk you to the door.”
“Actually, I need to check my grandparents' mailbox first.” She gestured to the house across the street. “I meant to do it yesterday and forgot.”
“I’ll go. Wait here.” He crossed the street to save her the steps, since it was clear she was in pain. Her grandparents lived in a custom-built home with charming shutters and a two-car garage with an added storage space on top.
The mailbox squeaked when he opened it. Flyers and envelopes were stuffed inside. Cole freed the items. An owl hooted overhead. The hair on the back of Cole’s neck rose, and he turned. Olivia was standing at the end of the driveway, the moonlight painting her beauty with an ephemeral glow. The rest of the street was silent. Yet Cole couldn’t shake the notion that he was being watched.
No. Not him.
Olivia.
