Page 106 of Rekindle My Heart

Chapter 23

Erica brushed her fingers over the bruise on her forehead. The week-old bruise bloomed a myriad of colors—greens, yellows, and a touch of plum on the edges. She sighed. Nothing she could do about it now. She flipped the visor up and turned off her car.

She watched men and women in their Sunday best filter into the church for the Swenson-Whittier wedding. It looked like half the town was invited.

Her foot jangled as she contemplated cranking the engine over and slinking back home to her solitude.

No. She couldn’t do that to her new friend. Liz had invited her personally. Besides, no one would be looking at her. Except Ryan. Yeah, that’s why she was still in the car.

“Oh my God. Vacillate much?” This stalemate she was locked in was her own fault. She didn’t know how to break free from her indecision, her inability to jump into this relationship—that she really did want—with both feet.

Well, she wasn’t going to decide it sitting in the car. She held her breath and opened the door. Slip in, congratulate the couple, and slip out. She definitely didn’t want to see Ryan. Did she?

She’d hopped on their favorite video game three times this week. No BadgeBoy00.

In the last week, her head and heart had warred over the issue of Ryan Daniels. She had no doubt that she loved him. Always had. And when she thought she would die, he was the one thing she regretted. Not that she’d slept with him but that she hadn’t taken the chance on them.

But now that she was safe, her old doubts crept back in. The shame. The guilt. What would her mother say or Sarah? Her sister was gone, and her mother was right; Erica still worried about making her happy.

“I hope the other guy looks worse.” Kate slipped up beside her as she walked into the church.

“He does.” Erica gave her a weak smile.

“Come here.” Kate snagged her arm and led her to the restroom. “I have something to take care of that.”

She pulled out a tube of makeup and dabbed some on the bruise. “Seriously, I’m glad you’re alright. Amy filled me in on the whole crazy abduction.”

Erica didn’t know what to say. She dropped her eyes as the door to the restroom opened. Lorna and Mira walked in in matching bridesmaid dresses.

Mira hustled across the room in her sky-scraper heels, arms wide. She enveloped Erica in a bear hug. “I’m so glad to see you. I freaked out when I heard you’d been kidnapped.”

Lorna gave her a quick squeeze. “Glad you’re okay. Let me know if you need anything.”

“Thanks. I’m… fine.” She blinked. Damn it, what was in her eye? She was fine.

“Oh no. That’s the look of a woman who isn’t fine. You need girl time and drinks.” Mira checked her makeup before she grabbed Lorna’s arm. “We have to go line up, but at the reception, the first round of shots are on me.”

Lorna gave a sad headshake. “Mira, it’s an open bar.”

“Even better. I’ll get the second round as well.” She winked and sent Erica and Kate air kisses as Lorna pulled her out of the room.

Erica looked at her face in the mirror; the concealer helped, but sad eyes stared back.

“She’s right. You don’t look fine. What, isn’t that sexy detective of yours not giving you enough…” she thrust her hips twice.

A laugh slipped out followed by a sob. Erica’s chest heaved. Keep it together.

“Sorry. We aren’t…. Fuck. I don’t know what we are.” A moment later, her words registered. “Oh, shit. I shouldn’t swear in church. Crap. I just did it again.”

She dropped her head. She was losing it.

“What did he do? If need be, I know the perfect spot to hide a body.”

Erica chuckled. “It’s not him. It’s me. I can’t. Sarah…”

Kate rolled her eyes. “Listen. This may sound crass but fuck Sarah. She’s dead, and you’re not.”

She wiped her head up and stared at Kate. She could feel her mouth working like a guppy, but no words came out.