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Dylan came out of his house with Erica’s gift. Cam had driven his car back alone, insisting that she needed to spend more time with him. If Cam hadn’t spent so much time getting his law degree, he would’ve made one hell of a psychologist and given Sam O’Leary a run for his money.
The ride back with Erica had been one of the best times in his life. Too bad the trip wasn’t longer. Cam’s car was parked behind his. Waiting on him, Cam and Erica were standing on the sidewalk in front of his house.
“I’m dying to know what this is about, Dylan Strange.” God, she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.
“Here you go,” he said, holding the giftwrapped box for her.
“It’s not my birthday. What’s the occasion?”
He shrugged. “Cam told me about how you did at the Knights’ gun range. Call this a celebration for doing so well. Three shots hit your target. That’s really good.”
“How many bullets were in that clip?” she asked. “Ten or more. That’s pretty bad odds.”
“Honey, you did great.” He was proud of her. How many people could’ve gone through what she’d had to endure and been able to keep sane? “We’re going to keep up your lessons.”
“Open it up, baby,” Cam said. “I’m dying of curiosity. Dylan has never been someone to give gifts. I count myself lucky to get a birthday card every other year.”
“Hey, that’s not true. I got you fishing gear last year.”
“Right. That was for Christmas. Remember? And you only bought it because you wanted to go with me, which by the way, hasn’t happened yet.”
“It will. I swear.” Dylan handed the present to her.
Without hesitation, she ripped into the package. Her eyes widened when she saw what was inside. “It’s a gun.”
“Yes, it is. The Glock was too much weapon for you.”
“The handle is pinkish,” she said, pulling it out carefully. “It looks too pretty to be a gun.”
“It’s not loaded. There are some bullets in the bottom of the box. You can practice with it the next time we are at the Knights gun range.”
“Thank you, Dylan. I love it.” She got up on her tiptoes.
He bent down and kissed her. “The ladies will skin me alive if I don’t get you to the party.”
“Party?”
Dylan smiled knowing that Erica was in for an afternoon of fun.
* * * *
Erica walked into Betty’s Beauty Shop with Dylan and Cam and was ambushed by a bunch of women. “What’s this all about?”
They all started laughing and rushed to her with hugs and smiles.
Ethel smiled. “We’re celebrating Nicole’s upcoming nuptials.”
She looked at the faces, all of them her friends.
Amber, the Stone brothers’ lady, stood next to her sister, Belle.
Megan, the Knights’ woman, held a glass of champagne for her. “This is for you.”
“It’s not even ten in the morning,” she said.
“It’s past five in England, love,” Gretchen said in her familiar British accent. “This is a party, Erica.”
One week ago today, she was in the trunk of a car, unsure if she would live to see another day. Next week she had to face the memorial service and remembering that day so many years ago when her life changed forever. She needed a day to be happy.
