Page 64 of No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding

“And yet you tempt me.”

“Good. But wait. Why do you know about romance tropes?You’renot thinking of writing a romance novel, are you?”

“I might need to if Vicki turns down my latest manuscript.”Vicki is our common editor and the reason we met in the first place.

“She won’t.”

He leans his forehead against mine. “She might.”

“I don’t know what you want me to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything.”

“I feel bad. Your new book is fantastic. They all are.”

“Thank you.” He brushes his lips against mine and runs his hands down my arms raising gooseflesh. “I’ve always liked this dress.”

It’s a pink halter with a deepVin the front that hugs my curves in all the right ways.

That makes two compliments from Oliver on my appearance in as many days. Maybe because my usual wardrobe consists of leggings and oversized sweatshirts.

But I hate how my brain is cataloging his compliments.

Like I need to gather evidence that he loves me.

Like I’m building a case to prove to myself we’ll work out this time.

“You don’t look so bad yourself.”

“Why, thank you.”

We kiss, slow and lingering. I start to think about taking off the dress he’s just zipped up as the heat builds between us, but...“We have to go.”

He smiles against my lips. “Who says?”

“The schedule.”

“The one that has a murder on it? I’m thinking we shouldn’t be following that one.”

I sigh and release him. “Poor Emma.”

“It’s not great.”

“Understatement.”

He smiles. “Certainly not what I hope for my wedding.”

My heart starts to beat faster. “You’ve thought of your wedding?”

His eyes meet mine. “As one does.”

“And?”

“I’ve always liked the month of May.”

May. It’s October now.

And I know—because I’m a woman—that seven months is not enough time to plan a wedding unless you have Emma-level resources, which I do not.

---