Leaning his forehead on hers, he said, “I’m not sure of anything except I can’t stop thinking about you.”

Her hand slid from his chest to his belly, causing Freddie to suck in a sharp deep breath. She smiled up at him. “What time is the wedding?”

“Four.”

Elin went up on tiptoes to kiss him. “Pick me up at three-thirty.” She patted his cheek and left him standing on the street with his head spinning and his heart racing. She’d said yes. He wanted to dance a jig. She’d said yes!

Chapter 9

By the time Friday rolled around, Sam was out of her mind with boredom. She’d followed doctor’s orders and gotten plenty of rest over the last few days and other than a nagging throb from the healing cut, she felt much better. This concussion had been milder than the previous one, and she was itching to get back to work.

Nick came bounding down the stairs looking awfully chipper for a guy who’d been out with his buddies until two in the morning for a bachelor party that supposedly didn’t include strippers.

“Where are you going?” he asked.

Sam put on her coat. “I have to go in for a few hours to tie up some loose ends before the trip.”

“Get someone to do it for you.”

“There is no one else.”

“You’re not going in there. I already told you that.”

“You can’t tell me what to do.”

He reached for his phone, scrolled through his contacts and found the one he wanted.

“Who are you calling?”

Rather than reply, he gave her the stone-faced expression she’d seen far too much of over the last few days.

“This is Nick Cappuano. Sam tells me she has to go into work today because there’s stuff she needs to get done before her vacation.” He paused to listen. “That’s what I thought. Very good, thank you. We’ll see you at the wedding.” Closing the phone, he gave her a smug smile. “No need to go in today.”

“What the hell? Who was that?”

“Captain Malone. He said to tell you they’ve got everything under control and to enjoy the day off.”

“You have him programmed into your phone?”

“I have to leave soon to get Scotty, and there’s something I want to do on the way. You can come with me.”

Sam folded her arms and dug in for the fight that’d been brewing all week. They may as well get it over with before their rehearsal dinner. “I don’t want to go.” What she really wanted was to interview Darius Gardner to find out what he knew about her father’s shooting. Gonzo and Cruz hadn’t gotten anywhere with him. Sam wanted her chance.

Nick put his arms around her and snuggled her into his embrace.