Page 65 of Wrecked

“Why?”

“There’s no point in upsetting him.”

“He’d be mad that she was here?” I’m pretty sure I already know what her answer will be.

Beth nods. “Definitely. The last time she harassed me, he threatened her.”

“That’s all the more reason why I have to tell him. Sorry, Princess.”

After Shane greets Beth like a good boyfriend should, I give him the bad news about Luciana showing up here.

Shane stills, and his jaw tightens. He proceeds to grill Beth on the particulars, wanting to know what the woman said to her. Then he tells me and Mack to call the police and charge her with trespassing if she shows up here again.

I stand at the doors and watch as Shane escorts Beth out to his car, which is parked in front. Just before I turn, I catch a glimpse of Luciana standing in a crowd across the street, watching the entrance to Clancy’s. She’s clearly furious.

A cold chill runs down my spine when I realize this woman is a bigger threat to Beth than I first thought.

A few minutes later, Shane texts me to let me know Beth will be late getting back to the bookstore. He’s taking her shopping for a wedding band after they have lunch at his office.

I grab some lunch in the café and kill time reading until Shane and Beth return to Clancy’s about two hours later. We all gather in the café to celebrate the purchase of their wedding bands.

“So, when are you two typing the knot?” I ask.

“Whenever Beth says we are,” Shane replies. “Hopefully in a couple of weeks.”

“Whereare you getting married?” Erin asks.

“At the house in Kenilworth,” Beth says.

When Shane is ready to head back to his office, he asks me to walk him to the door.

“Keep a close eye out for Luciana,” he tells me when we’re out of hearing. “I don’t like this fixation she has with Beth. And I don’t think we’ve seen the last of her.”

I nod. “When you two left for lunch, I spotted her across the street. She watched you leave.”

Shane nods. “I noticed that.” He squeezes my shoulder. “If you see her here again, call the police. I’ll have her charged with stalking and harassment.”

“Will do.”

Shane leaves then, and I return to the impromptu party in the café.

“What was that all about?” Beth asks me.

I shrug. “It was nothing. Just guy talk.”

Both girls roll their eyes at me, clearly not believing a word I said.

“Fine, don’t tell us,” Erin says. “Traitor.”

Beth rises from her seat, gives me another eye roll, and walks away with Erin.

I chase after them. “Don’t gang up on me, girls. It’s not fair.”

Chapter 23 – Sam

Later that same afternoon, Luciana shows up at Clancy’s again. The whole store can hear her screeching as a security guard grabs her arm.

“Get your filthy paws off me!” she screams.