One Foot in the Grave

ELEVEN

MY MOTHER NEEDED SEVERAL MORE DIRE warnings before she agreed not to do anything to disrupt the reception. Or notify my work about Bones. I had flatly promised to change myself into a vampire on the spot if she did either.

“That’s what he wants from you, Catherine. He wants to steal your soul and turn you into a beast,” she said for the third time as she escorted me into the hall.

“Well, then, you’ll bear that in mind and keep your mouth shut, won’t you? And for God’s sake, call me Cristine. Can you be more obvious?”

We reached the door. Denise abandoned the pose she had with Randy and met us at the entrance.

“Oh, Cat, I didn’t know that Randy’s friend was…” She lowered her voice. “A vampire! But don’t worry. I talked to Randy. He was amazed I knew they existed, too! We have so much in common. Anyhow, Randy swears he’s harmless. Says he’s known him for months.”

My mother looked at Denise like she’d grown three heads.

“Harmless?! We aren’t talking about a dog that may or may not bite! We are talking about a murderer-”

“Ahem,” I interrupted, stroking my neck for emphasis. She closed her mouth and stalked off. Farther away I heard Bones snort with laughter. He’d been listening.

“It’s okay, Denise,” I reassured her. “He knows as long as he keeps his fangs clean, we won’t have any problems.”

“How does he know that?” she asked practically. “Did you talk to him? You were in the bathroom awhile and I didn’t see him. Did you corner him?”

The other way around. “Um, well, kind of…er,” I stammered, something I hadn’t done in years. “I know him. I mean, I’ve seen him around before. Around Virginia, that is. He, uh, he and I have an understanding. He doesn’t mess with me and I don’t mess with him.”

Denise accepted it at face value. “Well, then let’s go get pictures. I’m glad you two aren’t going to fight. Tell him not to mention anything about you to Randy, okay? Your boss would lose all the hairs off his balls if he found out how many people knew about you.”

“Well put.” Well put, indeed.

Bones was Felicity’s mysterious wedding partner. She was delighted, managing to squeeze herself indecently next to him in every shot. To make matters worse, he was being charming. I could have cheerfully killed them both after the pictures.

But I couldn’t show how much it bothered me for the same reason I hadn’t run into Bones’s arms when I first saw him. No matter what my feelings were, nothing about our circumstances had changed. So I couldn’t afford to let him know how much I still cared. All I could do was play it cool-and hope Bones bought the act enough to leave me this time.

I made a beeline for the bar right after the last click of the camera. There was only one thing that could help with tonight, and that was gin. Lots of gin. I downed the first glass without budging in front of the bartender.

“Another one.”

The bartender made an inquiring face but poured another gin and tonic. I eyed the level he selected and gave him a dirty look.

“More alcohol,” I said succinctly.

“Drowning your sorrows?” a familiar voice behind me mocked.

“None of your business,” I replied, straightening.

“There you are, darling!”

Noah came over and gave me a peck on the cheek. Bones tightened his lips into a grim line as he watched.

“Um, Noah…I’ll show you to your table.” I wanted to get him away from Bones, who was looking at Noah like he’d rather drink from his neck than what the bar had to offer.

I saw Noah to his seat, since I was sitting separately at the head table with the rest of the bridal party. My mother pulled me aside as soon as I left Noah. Her face was florid.

“Do you know what that beast did when you walked away from him at the bar? He winked at me!”

Caught off guard, I laughed. God, that was priceless. She must have had steam coming out of her ears.

“You think that’s funny?” she irrationally demanded.

“Well, Mom, he risked his life for you, and then you tried your damnedest to have him killed. He may not like you.”

I spoke low but flippantly, not concerned over Bones’s actions with her. He would never hurt her, I knew, but she definitely had some needling coming. God only knew what I had coming.

There were place cards at the head table, which was one long, rectangular thing that would have everyone facing the reception room. I sat at the one marked Cristine Russell. Randy sat to my left, with Denise to his right. To my right read Chris Pin. Who…?

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I said aloud. Why didn’t I just shoot myself and get it over with?

“Justina, we meet again.” Bones appeared and took his seat next to me as I vaulted out of my chair. “Wouldn’t want to be rude, but I believe your table is over there.”

He inclined his head to where Noah sat, oblivious to the drama.

“There you are!” Felicity squealed. She grabbed Bones by the arm and smiled at him. “You and I are paired together for the night, so no more running off! I hope you dance as great as you look.”

“Slut,” I muttered, but not softly enough.

“What was that?” she asked, still blinking coyly up at Bones.

“Er, good luck.” My voice rose to a normal level and I backed away.

Felicity looked smug. “I don’t need luck.”

I downed my gin and then headed, again, for the bar. My mother glared at Bones as she followed after me.

“Oh, Ms. Russell,” Bones called out. I froze. His emphasis on my fake last name was deliberate. Then again, what had I expected? I’d taken Bones’s real surname as my alias; did I think he wouldn’t notice? Or comment? “Would you be a luv and get me a drink? You remember my preference, I’m sure.”

A slew of curses went through my mind, but I took a deep breath and reminded myself to stay calm. Denise was my best friend. She deserved a lovely reception, not a bloodbath.

“That filthy, lecherous-” my mother began.

“Stuff it.” We reached the bar. I gave the poor attendant behind it a murderous look. “Tall glass. All gin. Don’t even think about commenting.”

His face blanched but he poured to my specifications. I took a long swallow before adding, “Oh yeah. And a fucking whiskey, neat.”