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To Griffin.
He’d help her. He’d protect her as it was his duty.
Except he didn’t know her problems. That she’d broken the law. As a man who believed wholeheartedly in right and wrong, he might not forgive her for her offenses, no matter the reason.
No. She couldn’t stop. She had to keep driving until a plan formed in her mind. She had no idea how he had found her, but he had. She wasn’t safe here any longer.
Her foot pushed harder on the gas pedal until she had no choice but to slam on the brakes when Duke stepped into her path and put his hand out.
He approached her vehicle, forcing her to roll down the window and produce a smile that she knew looked lopsided.
“Hey, Eve. The parking lot is full. Sorry. Why don’t you pull over behind my vehicle? You won’t be blocked in.” He pointed to his patrol car near the entrance to the lake. There was enough space for her tiny car to fit behind his and not block the road or the entrance.
“Eve?” His brows furrowed as he leaned closer to the window. “You okay?”
Her smile brightened, even as her insides coiled with fright. “Yes, of course. Thank you, Officer Fisk.”
“It’s Duke. You know that.” Then he winked and gestured for her to park.
She had no choice. If she raced out of town now, he might follow. She couldn’t allow that. He’d arrest her for fleeing. He’d take her prints. The jig would be up. Of course, fleeing for what? She was making this more than what it should be. All she had to do was remain calm and in control.
Her hands shook as she parked the car, grabbed her purse, and exited the vehicle. She threw out another fake smile, waving to Duke.
Her anxiety ratcheted up another notch as she wove through the large crowd searching for Griffin or Juliet. Now that she was here, she had to find one of them.
She found Bryce first.
“Hey, I thought you weren’t coming.”
Her hands twisted to and fro, before she realized what she was doing, forcing herself to relax. “I changed my mind. Not much on TV.”
Bryce grinned his easygoing smile that always made her smile in return. She didn’t have as many interactions with him as she did with Griffin and Juliet, but she felt safe in his presence. He was always kind to her, joking as he did with Juliet. They were all such nice people.
Though she returned a smile, it felt so forced she swore her face was going to break in half.
“Come on. The fireworks are going to start soon. Griffin and Juliet are over here.”
She followed on his tail, tossing her purse over her neck so it draped across her chest.
The terror that had been running through her veins since the moment she heard the noise lessened a fraction when she made eye contact with Griffin.
His genuine smile eased her nerves even more when he stood up as she got closer.
Juliet noticed her as well. “Girl, you came! You’re just in time. They’re going to start any minute.”
Her lips twisted into a grin, meeting Juliet’s gaze, then she swiveled back to Griffin. Bryce took a seat next to his wife, Denise. A woman she didn’t speak to much, Melody, sat next to her. She looked at her but didn’t acknowledge her in any way.
Then Griffin held out his hand.
She took it, even knowing she couldn’t hide the trembles coating her body. The second she made contact with him, she knew everything would be okay. He’d keep her safe.
Griffin knewsomething was wrong but didn’t want to put her on the spot in front of everyone. He didn’t think it had anything to do with the large crowd. The fear in her eyes was palpable. The quaking in her hand wasn’t hard to miss.
He tightened his grip, pulling her gently to sit down next to him. Despite all the times he reminded himself it was a bad idea to forget they were only friends, he put his arm around her, pulling her into his body.
She melted into his embrace, sighing. Her head rested against his chest, and he couldn’t help but kiss the top of her head. She stiffened at the contact. He braced himself for her to shove him away. She didn’t move. If anything, she leaned even closer.
He wanted to ask what was wrong, what had happened, but he couldn’t find the words. Conversations darted around them. Juliet’s merry laughter. Melody’s obnoxious laugh. Kids squealing in delight. Men hooting and hollering. So much commotion going on and he was frozen.
