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I jumped up, the plate falling to the floor. I reached for my bag but remembered it wasn’t with me. It was in the kitchen.
Albert came up to me in a tan suit, and his hair void of a hat and slicked back. “I didn’t think you even owned a suit,” I said as he stopped beside me.
“I had to get it out of the back of the closet, but it still fits.” He held his arms out, and I almost expected him to spin, but he didn’t.
I pointed to the buttons. “Is that why you have the jacket unbuttoned?”
“Shut up,” he grumbled. “Did you eat your cake?”
“I did, but there are slices on that empty table over there.”
An unexpected smile curved his usually pressed lips, and with the gait of a five-year-old getting a treat, he took off. I laughed as he grabbed two plates and hurried back to his table.
The cake was a success and so was the wedding. Both Lainey and Sherry could finally rest easy and celebrate another job done well. Speaking of Lainey. Now that she wasn’t on cake duty, I was sure I’d be able to find us a closet to occupy.
My eyes scanned the crowd and caught on Lainey. My heart came to a slamming halt against my rib cage. Her plate of food sat scattered at her feet. Her eyes were wide in pure, terrifying panic. An ugly red mottled her normally pink cheeks.
Fear froze me in place.
“Lainey?” I called out and hurdled over a chair, running full speed across the dance floor, dodging arms and legs. Time seemed to slow, making it feel like a lifetime to get to her.
Adrenaline raced through me, my nerves a hot electric pulse of fear and uncertainty. She pointed at her throat, and I came to a halt in front of her. My hand rested on her shoulders, and I stared into her panic-stricken eyes, needing to do something. Anything.
“Shrimp?” I hoped against hope this was all an act, and she was fucking with me. Payback for leaving her in Philly. For not realizing walking out on her did more damage than if I would have stayed. I waited for the ‘psyche!’ but it never came.
Instead, she nodded.
Fuck! No, no, this isn’t happening,
A dreaded pit landed in my stomach, a horrifying vision playing out in my mind, but I couldn’t let the fear consume me. I needed to stay focused. I needed to help Lainey before it was too late. “Do you have your EPI pen?”
She nodded, holding her throat. “Kitchen,” she managed.
I glanced toward the kitchen that seemed like miles away. We didn’t have any time to waste. Every second was crucial. I couldn’t lose Lainey. Not now. Not ever. I scooped her into my arms and ran toward the kitchen.
She’s going to be okay, I reassured myself.
A few gasps sounded around us, chatter rose amongst the guests, but I didn’t stop until we were through the kitchen door.
She will be okay.
I placed Lainey on the counter and grabbed for her bag, dumping the contents onto the stainless steel. Lip gloss and tampons rolled away. Receipts fluttered out. The EPI pen hit the counter with a ping. My mind raced, hands shook as I grabbed hold of the pen. Lainey yanked up her dress, revealing her bare thigh. Unable to steady myself, I bit the cap off and slammed the pen into her soft flesh..
She has to be okay.
I stared at her, chest heaving with each inhale as if I was the one who almost had their air supply cut off. But I might as well have. If something were to happen to Lainey, my Lainey, I don’t think I’d ever be able to breathe again. She was the freshest breath of air. The Sauvignon Blanc to my chicken. My perfect match and the thought of losing her…
Tremors ran through me as the terror in her gaze vanished, and her breaths became more even. The fear that I had pushed down started to rise, and I couldn’t control it. My legs weakened beneath me, and I smacked my hands on either side of her body to keep from falling over.
I didn’t want to think it, but that thought kept poking at my mind, refusing to let up.
I could have lost her. What if I lost her?
The tingles lessened, my breathing becoming easier. I inhaled deeply, filling my lungs with air.
Fear mixed with pain in Nero’s too dark eyes. “Are you okay? Tell me you’re okay.” His voice was a frazzled demand of desperation.
I inhaled again, letting the air spread through me once more. “I’m okay,” I managed.
