“It’s the questions. They’re embarrassing.”
“Uh-huh. There’s a purpose to them. I’m not just some freak getting off on your private exploits. You’re doing good.” He shrugged. “Go on. I got the check.”
Jori stood up.
“One thing. You still not going to your brother’s wedding?”
The question caught her like a kick to the chest. “No. I’ve told them.”
Case held her in his blank stare. “You can’t hide forever. You have to face them eventually. After that, we’ll really know how you’re doing. I’ll be in touch.”
Jori didn’t breathe deep until she was back behind the wheel of her SUV. She started the ignition and sped away from Denny’s as if a horde of zombies were on her tail.
She hated these random check-ins with Case, even if he was a hundred times better than the stories about parole officers she’d heard from the other women in prison. Case was a decent man. But answering questions about everything from how much she weighed to the results of her mandatory pee test left her feeling invaded and way off balance.
Maybe even that would have been okay, if he hadn’t brought up Battise.
It wasn’t as if Battise was the first guy she’d made it with. But it felt like that, now that he had been gone long enough for her to fully appreciate the nevermore part of their hookup.
When the flush of their encounter had worn off, she’d been left a little edgier and a lot hungrier than before. Like one lick of an ice cream cone, one day of sex with Battise wasn’t nearly enough.
Jori licked her lips, tingling with the remembered pleasure of his hot mouth. Never made it with a bearded guy before. She’d been left with beard burns on her cheeks and breasts and inner thighs for days after. Not that she was complaining.
She’d been pathetically eager, and he’d made the most of it, finding and exploring every moist quivering inch of her until she was limp from multiple orgasms and he was limp with spent pleasure. She’d probably have been better off not knowing what it was like to lie under him as he slid hot and thick and urgently into her.
Maybe she should have tied him to her bed while she had the chance.
Jori smiled. At least she could still make jokes about it.
Her cell phone rang.
Jori glanced at the unfamiliar number. Usually she didn’t try to answer while she was driving. No one had her number but her family, her patrol officer, and WWP.
Maybe it was Battise!
Or not.
Curiosity won out.
“Hello. Is this Jori Garrison?”
The hair on Jori’s nape stiffened. “Who is this?”
“It’s Erin Foster. I’m Mrs. Luke Tice now, if you hadn’t heard.”
Jori could feel a coldness spreading outward from her chest. This day just kept getting better. “What do you want, Erin?”
“I know it’s a surprise, hearing from me after all this time. But I’m calling about Kieran and Kaitlyn’s wedding. You’ve heard that I’m Kaitlyn’s maid of honor?”
Jori searched for an appropriately neutral reply. “So?”
“This is so awkward.” Erin sounded sincerely uncomfortable. “I need a favor from you. As a sorority sister and a friend.”
Jori rubbed at the knot of tension that drew her eyebrows together. Frenemies would once have best described her relationship with Erin Foster. “We aren’t friends, Erin. I haven’t heard from you since the day Brody died.”
“Yes. That’s what makes this awkward. As the maid of honor, I have certain duties to perform. One of them is throwing a bridal shower for Kaitlyn. Which I am, this coming Sunday. So, well, your mother asked if I would personally invite you. Although she did say you don’t have plans to attend the wedding itself.” She paused for confirmation, but Jori wasn’t about to give her anything until she knew the real reason for this call.
“Okay, you’ve invited me.”
There was a short pause. “That’s not the favor. I need you to decline.”
Jori closed her eyes for a second, safe at a stoplight. “I don’t understand.”
“I’m sure you’ve heard that Luke is running for state senator. He’s leading in the polls, of course. You must know that means we can’t afford any missteps right through here. The media is so unforgiving.”
Jori pressed very carefully on the gas pedal as the light went green. “Having an ex-con showing up at your doorstep for a social occasion would complicate your life.”
“I wouldn’t put it like that, but yes.”
A grim smile spread across Jori’s face. “You could just resign as Kaitlyn’s maid of honor.”
“Now, how would that look? Backing out on my little sorority sister’s wedding after I offered to save the event at the last minute? No, I always carry out my obligations. Even if it costs me personally. But it’s not just me this time. There’s Luke.”
“Forget it, Erin. I’m still not attending any events connected to my brother’s wedding.”