Page 91 of Sweet Oblivion

Brooks takes the toothpick from his mouth and flicks it to the trash can beside me. “Powerful men never think they’re wrong, Delaney.”

“That’s not Ryker,” I bite back, fury rising.

“Yeah... it never is. Be careful, Ms. Rousseau.” He tips his head. “Have fun at your wedding.”

I sink against the counter as Detective Brooks leaves and grab my phone, swiping for the saved number. It only rings once. “Hello.”

“Olivia . . . I think we have a problem.”

Twenty minutes later, I’m pacing the locked shop with Olivia staring at Tori. “Seriously, why do you have a pig?”

“Are you kidding me right now?” I ask her, exasperated. “Olivia. Focus. I think Brooks is going after Ryker.”

“I am serious. That pig looks hungry, like she thinks I might be a tasty snack.” In a mid-calf-length skirt suit and four-inch heels, Ryker’s cousin slides her ass up onto Love in Bloom’s counter, like she’s afraid of my thirty-pound potbellied pig. I wonder what she’ll think once Tori’s full-grown?

“She’s not going to eat you. Now fucking focus and tell me what I’m supposed to do to keep Ryker safe. Because I think Brooks has it out for him. I have no idea why he would, but I’m telling you everything about him felt off. I trust my gut, and my gut says he’s not a good guy.” I’m practically pleading for her to listen to me, already coming up with a plan B in my head because if she’s not going to do something, I will.

“I’ll have someone look into Brooks, but I’m going to need you to take a breath. The plan is working. You and Ryker have been trending for two weeks. Everyone’s talking about your wedding. Your love story. They want to know it all. And they’re all on your side. According to the court of public opinion, Ryker Beneventi is a modern-day prince charming protecting his princess. Protecting his wife. And my guy inside the prosecutor’s office already told me he’d be surprised if charges were filed.” She squeaks when Tori charges toward the counter and chuffs. Guess she didn’t like Olivia raising her voice.

“Oh my God. Make it go away.” Liv squirms, and I laugh.

“She’s not going to hurt you, you big baby.”

“Did you just call me a big baby?” she asks with wide eyes. “You really are part of the family. You said fuck earlier too. We’ve officially corrupted you.”

“Save him first. Corrupt me later, Liv.” I glance at the clock and sigh. I have to go get ready for the rehearsal dinner.

“Okay. Let me do a little digging before you tell Ryker about today, okay? I don’t want him to worry if he doesn’t have to.” She stares down at Tori, probably deciding if she’s willing to hop down and risk being eaten by a thirty-pound pig.

“No,” I tell her and click Tori’s leash on her collar, giving Olivia room to move. “I’m telling him when I see him. I can’t keep this from him. I won’t. I’m a lot of things, Liv. But I’mnot a liar. And before you say it, a lie of omission is still a lie. Do your thing and do it fast. But know I’m telling Ryker as soon as I see him.”

She hops off the counter and grabs her purse, her eyes finding mine, something that looks an awful lot like respect shining back at me. “I like you, Delaney. You’re a breath of fresh air. Don’t change. And don’t let our fucked up family scare you tonight. I’ll let you and Ryker know what I find out as soon as I get anything.”

“Thank you,” I tell her, grabbing my keys and walking her to the door. “I’ll see you in a few hours.”

I lock up behind her and look down at Tori. “What do you think, Notorious? You ready to practice being a flower girl?”

The vineyard looks... ethereal. Like someone took the version we saw that first night and made it... more. Lights strung between the vines. Lanterns glow along the gravel path. Long tables dressed in soft linens and overflowing with wildflowers of every color. It’s incredible.

“Holy shit,” Kaleigh sighs next to me as she drops her purse at the table.

“Language. Don’t curse in front of the aunts,” Lexie murmurs, and I stifle a laugh. I have no idea who she’s even talking about since there’re so many aunts here. I thought a rehearsal dinner was small. But I guess, considering the wedding guest list ended up coming in close to three hundred people, this is small.

“Sorry,” Kaleigh grumbles. “Holy cow.”

“Or holy pig.” Dillan smiles. “Where’s our flower girl?”

I point to where Ryker’s niece, Rosie, is running in circles with Tori. “She’ll look prettier tomorrow.”

“Rosie or Tori?” my future mother-in-law asks with a smile.

“Tori,” I smile softly. “Rosie looks lovely.”

“Youlook lovely, Delaney.” She wraps her arms around me and kisses my cheek. “Your dress is stunning.”

I look down at the white-silk minidress Caitlin dropped off for me earlier this week and smile. “Caitlin told me I had to wear it.”

Lenny rolls her pretty eyes as she looks around. “That girl was always bossy, but she was right this time. The dress suits you. You look happy.”