#FollowMe for Murder by Sarah E. Burr

Author:Sarah E. Burr [Sarah E. Burr]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Level Best Books
Published: 2022-01-05T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Laughing with more gusto, Hudson tossed back the rest of his drink and went in search of a refill, leaving me alone in the middle of a room full of strangers. I searched the crowd, keeping an eye out for Tori Beals and her scene-stealing ringlets. I wouldn’t put it past her to ambush Hudson once he was alone. Thankfully, I spotted her cozying up to a group of slick-haired guys in matching gray suits, looking very much at home.

A little ashamed by the blatant relief washing over me, I turned my focus back to Hudson’s handsome figure. I didn’t want to be one of those women who second-guessed the strength of their relationship. We had been together for four years. I trusted him. But between the flirty waitresses at The Pearl and Tori, well…I struggled somewhat to maintain my confidence.

From across the room, Hudson and I locked gazes with one another, and those nagging doubts drifted away. He loved me. That much was clear. I swelled with pride as he was met with handshakes and pats on the back along his route to the bar. I was happy to give him the chance to shine amongst his coworkers without me tagging along as the third wheel to every conversation. I didn’t mind being left to my own devices. That’s what cell phones and Instagram Reels were made for.

“Coco!”

Hearing my name called by a familiar, cringe-inducing voice, I suddenly wished I’d followed my boyfriend.

“Oh my! You look stunning.” Amanda Highgrove arrived at the small table I’d laid claim to. “Love that dress.”

I chided myself for the amount of time it took for me to make eye contact. Even in the face of adversity, I wasn’t normally this rude. There was just something about Amanda that made the phrase “treat others the way you want to be treated” fly out the window.

“Amanda,” I managed with a strained smile. “You look nice as well.”

In fact, she looked more than nice. Wearing a strapless, pearl-encrusted pink gown with a slit running nearly the full length of her toned legs, she looked like a million bucks. Which was probably what her ensemble cost.

Forcing myself to stand, we exchanged air-kisses before she took a seat at the small table. “Arthur is on his way over with a platter of brie and apples. If I recall, that’s one of your favorite party snacks, right?”

Amazed and somewhat touched that she remembered such a mundane detail about me, I bobbed my head. Hudson and I had been invited to the Highgrove-Bushman holiday party by Arthur last Christmas, and the only enjoyment I’d found at the hoity-toity gathering was the catered food.

Amanda beamed and, may God strike me now, it seemed genuine. “I keep meaning to try some of those recipes you posted last month. Especially the sparkling wine pear-infused sangria.”

“Be careful with that one,” I said, allowing myself to relax a little in her overbearing company. “It’s too easy to drink the whole pitcher by yourself.”

“You came up with such a cute name.

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