Help Me Remember (Rose Canyon, #1)(54)

“I don’t think so. It definitely didn’t start that way, anyway. Spencer was stuck driving me since I am still not allowed and everyone is paranoid about me going anywhere alone.”

“Rightfully so.”

Yeah, yeah. “I have my panic button.”

“A what?”

I guess I haven’t really talked about it since it’s new. “A few days ago, the owner’s wife was stuck on my detail. She’s amazing, by the way. I think she is a spy or maybe she is a hitman, I’m not sure. Anyway, Charlie and I started talking, and she gave me this panic button that looks more like a key fob. She said if I ever think I’m in danger or could be in danger, all I have to do is press it. They will pull me out and get me to a secure location where I will be locked down for a minimum of twelve hours while the team investigates. It’s to make sure I’m safe, especially with my messed-up brain.”

“You had that before,” Addy jokes.

“Anyway, I’m even better now that I have it, which brings me back to why I don’t know if it’s a date.”

“Let’s call it a date anyway.”

“Let’s not.”

“Fine, but it’s totally a date. What are you wearing?”

We launch into a discussion about my attire, which she approves of, and then sighs longingly. “You should wear the diamond studs.”

“I hate wearing the studs.”

They were a gift from my father on my sixteenth birthday. Each time I wear them, I get all teary.

“Fine, then wear the gold choker that drops down the back. Oh, and you’re like six inches shorter than Spencer, so make sure you wear the really cute four-inch heels.”

That’s not a bad idea. My dress is pale green and clings in all the right places. The showstopper part of it is the open back. It drapes down to right above my butt. I love this dress. I got it for a wedding I went to right after graduation.

I do not love those shoes though. However, the height will help.

“My feet are going to kill me after an hour.”

“Beauty is pain, sister.”

I grab the necklace and slip it on, the cool metal sliding against my back. It’s that perfect jewelry piece that is understated but makes a statement at the same time.

I close the drawer and see the ring box sitting there. I haven’t looked at it in a few days. For the first few days after I discovered it, I would randomly hold it in my hand, wishing the memory of how I got it would come back. I open the box, seeing the gorgeous diamond safely in its spot.

“Hello! Earth to Brie!”

I close the box and shake my head. “Sorry. I put it on.”

“Good. Will you send me a photo?”

“Sure, I’ll send one.” I laugh.

“Perfect. Thank you for calling. I needed this.”

“What?”

“This talk, it felt like . . . old times.”

I grin. “Yeah, it did.”

“Have fun tonight and don’t worry so much. You are amazing and everyone loves you. Also, be sure to make out with Spencer again and make sure it’s as good as the time before.”

I laugh. “You’re such a bad influence.”

“Hey, this is what sisters do.”

My phone pings with a text from Spencer, letting me know he’s on his way up.

“I gotta go, he’s here.”

“Make bad choices!” she yells and then hangs up.

I sigh. I can do this.

I’m insanely nervous about tonight because everyone from the town will be there. I’ll be surrounded by people who will know me and some who I won’t remember meeting. More than that, I worry the killer will be there, and I won’t be able to tell. It’s horrible to look at people’s faces and wonder if they’re who killed your brother and tried to kill you. Thankfully, the security guys will be shadowing me the whole time, so that makes me feel a bit better. They are actually all cool.

Charlie informed me this morning that she and her husband, Mark, would be attending the dinner but sticking to the background. Apparently, it was easier to blend in if they looked like they were attending instead of acting as my private security while Quinn stays and watches the apartment.

Quinn Miller flew in from Virginia Beach last night, and I got to meet him. He’s married and has a son, who he showed me a bunch of photos of. Super adorable kid. He and Charlie are my security detail this week, but next week, they will rotate out with someone else.

I bring them out coffee each morning and before bed, I flick the living room lights so they know I’m going to sleep.

I head to the door, smoothing my dress against my body and checking my hair in the mirror by the entry.

He knocks once, and because I am a nervous wreck, I throw the door open with zero chill.

“Hi,” I sputter, more than a little stunned.

Holy. Freaking. Shit. He’s wearing a black tuxedo with silk lapels, and it’s as though the fabric is conforming to his body. Every inch of him makes my mouth water. His broad shoulders block out the light behind him and I could melt right here. His green eyes look even brighter tonight and his hair looks damp and finger tousled. He looks incredible.

I wait for him to say something, but Spencer doesn’t speak. Instead, his eyes do a very slow assessment of the green satin wrapped around my body, neckline that mimics the back with it draping low enough to show the swell of my breasts. I curled my hair into long waves and did my best on my makeup after watching a few tutorials online. It’s a little heavy, but I think it’s sexy.