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“Shut up,” Josh told Misty. “It’s just coincidence.”
“Under oath, you’re going to have to tell the truth or perjure yourself. All the emails you handled will come to light. You’re in for a bad six months or so.”
“He promised me that we wouldn’t get caught,” Misty said.
“SHUT UP!” Josh yelled.
“I’m not going to prison for you, asshole,” Misty told Josh.
Codrin stepped forward. He was in full Dracula mode.
“Both of you should leave,” Codrin said. “You’ve caused enough trouble. This is a Christmas party. If I have to, I’ll have both of you escorted out.”
I knew Misty and Josh wanted to say something to Codrin, but they were too scared. Josh left first, shooting me a look that could have killed. Misty downed her beer and walked out, trying to summon what was left of her dignity.
“I’ll follow them out,” Codrin said. “I would hate to walk out and discover something wrong with our cars.”
I returned to my table, my hands shaking. That was the trouble with adrenaline. If you didn’t use it right away, it caused tremors. I grabbed my glass, giving my fingers something to do. No one asked questions. I guessed the music covered the little spat between me and Josh. I wasn’t going to answer any questions, as I didn’t want to spoil the party. I was content. The ambush had worked. I would have to fire Misty on Monday, but that couldn’t be helped.
Codrin returned, blowing on his fingers. He sat next to me and leaned close.
“They’re gone,” Codrin said. “I reminded Josh before he drove off that there were cameras covering the parking lot. If he did anything, he would be caught. If the perp couldn’t be identified, I was coming after him. So, he had better pray nothing happened to your car. I think he believed me.”
“I certainly would.”
He smiled. “That was quite a show. Remind me never to get on your bad side.”
“My bark is worse than my bite.”
“I’d like to verify that.”
I looked into those eyes. I could have melted. I could have said something clever, stupid, or endearing. I could have. Instead, I leaned over and whispered.
“One more dance. Then, I want you to walk me to my car and kiss me like I haven’t had sex in a year.”
Chapter nineteen
Codrin’skissmeltedme.No Dracula had ever kissed better. Had it been summer, I would have pulled him to the side and kissed him for the rest of the night. I wanted more than the kiss, but the parking lot was neither the time nor the place. Instead, I drove home with joy racing through my veins. I didn’t know where he learned to kiss like that, and I didn’t care. I knew that he wanted me as much as I wanted him. That was enough—for the moment.
The next day, he called and informed me he was heading to Arizona for Christmas. He wanted to spend the holiday with his parents. He would be back in plenty of time for New Year’s Eve. I would be too. While I wanted Codrin in more ways than I could count, I knew I couldn’t rush into anything. Lasting relationships didn’t happen overnight. People possessed habits that annoyed others. Part of being human. I told myself to be patient.
Emily was more than a little excited on the flight to Wilmington. I assured her that Santa would be able to deliver presents for her no matter where she was. Emily wasn’t so sure. Children have a way of processing adult fibs. I considered telling Emily the truth, but I was pretty sure her classmates would soon spill the beans. Sooner or later, all the special characters of childhood would be erased. The way of the world.
Santa couldn’t have done any better than Wayne’s parents. The presents resembled a toy store. Emily could barely contain herself. She sat by the tree and grabbed one wrapped gift after another. It was overkill, and I wanted to protest. It was way too much. Before I could, Wayne’s father nodded toward the back patio. I left Emily with Wynelle.
Low, gray clouds scudded across the sky. In Chicago, that might mean snow. Here, it was too warm for snow, but it was cold enough to shiver.
“I just want you to know that Wynelle and I won’t be coming to Arlington for the burial.”
I thought I knew why, but I didn’t want to say anything.
“I don’t expect she’ll last that long. You know she’s mighty sick. She’s been hanging on because she wanted to see Wayne again. That’s not going to happen, so she’s quitting. Not anything I can do about that. I had two aunts die on the day after Christmas, one year apart. They had set their sights on one more Christmas, and they made it. Then, they were at peace with the world. So, they dropped out. People are like that, like that.”
“We’ll miss you,” I said. “Are you sure you can’t be there?”
“After she’s gone, I’m leaving this place. Remembering is just too hard. I’m not selling, just leaving.”
“Where will you go?”
