us in the morning, so I especially want to thank him and Emily for the help they gave Detective Kaufman in finding the real killer.”
While another wave of applause rang out, Colin leaned over and kissed Emily lightly, which drew whistles from some of the guys.
“Now,” he raised his glass, “let’s eat before all this good food gets cold!”
The food was consumed and enjoyed. Josh had piled his plate high with some of everything—twice. He patted his stomach and complained he’d have to drop five pounds, which pleased Camille and made his mother laugh.
The sun had long set as the party wound down. As the guests began to leave, Emily and Isabel helped Camille with the cleanup. Maggie offered, but the girls insisted she spend the time with her son.
As Emily and Isabel worked together in the kitchen, scraping dishes and wrapping leftovers, they chatted about their men and the future.
“Hey, did you hear about Maggie’s engagement ring?” Isabel chuckled as she finished scrubbing a baking dish.
“No, what?” Emily asked with interest. She grabbed a soft towel and began drying the pans Isabel had already washed.
“Turns out the diamond was a fake.”
“Go figure, just like the fiancé.”
“Did I tell you Maggie is going to Hawaii anyway?” Isabel tore off a long sheet of plastic wrap. “The honeymoon trip was already paid for—Lucas’s parting gift I guess—so she’s trying to decide who to take with her. Interested?”
“That’s wonderful. I’m glad she’s going, but I’m not sure this is the best time for me to go.”
Was Isabel trying to get rid of her? Evan’s ominous words continued to ripple below the surface of their friendship.
“Besides, don’t you think Maggie will feel weird in the honeymoon suite?” Emily asked.
“No, she wouldn’t be staying there. She said she was able to change the reservations to a two-bedroom suite for the same price. I think you ought to go. You could use a vacation.” Isabel tore another sheet of plastic wrap from the roll and covered a small tray of ribs.
“What about my house?” Emily wondered if she should go off and leave her house exposed.
“What do you mean?”
“Someone keeps breaking in and searching for something. I can’t just go off and leave it.”
“Would you like me to housesit for you? Su casa es mí casa.” Isabel stuck the leftover ribs in the refrigerator.
“I’ll have to think about it…besides, Maggie hasn’t even invited me.”
“She will.”
Emily hated going through life not trusting anyone, especially Isabel. She missed her old life when she trusted everyone, without question, until they gave her reason not to. Life was so much more fun and gratifying when she could hold her man and her circle of friends close and share everything with them. She needed to get back to that life.
“Emily?” Colin stood in the middle of the French doors.
She turned at the sound of her name and smiled at the familiar voice that was so sensual and smooth.
“Your man is calling you.” Isabel grinned and elbowed Emily as she dried a glass pan with a soft cloth.
“Could you step out here, please?” He held his hand out to her.
Emily looked to Isabel.
“Go. I can finish up here,” Isabel encouraged.
Emily floated over to him, or at least that’s how she felt. The warmth from his hand comforted her as he led her through the patio and across the lawn. He stopped in a darkened corner of the yard, where an ornate concrete bench sat among the bushes adorned with twinkle lights.
“Let’s sit.”
She nodded and sat expectantly on the bench, not knowing what was coming.
He sat close beside her, their bodies touching, still holding her hand.
“I’m leaving in the morning, and I didn’t want to wait a second longer to tell you—”
“Are you sure you wouldn’t rather have this conversation at my house…in private?”
He tipped his head and shrugged a shoulder. “That would probably be better, but if I don’t get these words out, I might chicken out.”
“I don’t understand. What are—”
He raised his hand for her to stop talking. “You have to stop doing that and let me finish.”
She smiled at him and made a gesture as if she was buttoning her lips.
He nodded once and took a deep breath. “Emily Parker, you have torn down my defenses and captured my heart. There is nothing else to say but that I love you—totally and completely.”
Pinching her lips closed she looked at him for permission to speak.
He grinned and nodded.
“Oh, Colin,” she gasped breathlessly, tears of joy rushing to her eyes. “I