One Step Ahead, Audrey Walker [best book club books of all time TXT] 📗

touch her hand. Robin blushed and said, “I meant to investigate.”

James winked at her and said, “Ah, so is that yes on the coffee?”

“We will see,” Robin said with a smirk.

As much as she liked James and was attracted to him, she knew better than trust him. Nevertheless, what harm could there be in just a little flirting?

“Maybe you should pay attention to work,” Kyle said scathingly.

“What is wrong with you?” Robin asked.

“What is wrong with me?” Kyle repeated. “Look at yourself. There are women out there, dying! And why are they dying? Because they had the misfortune to look like you! That’s why! And here you are, going out for coffee! How pathetic and heartless can you be?”

With that, he got up and stormed out, leaving Robin completely stunned and heartbroken. The guilt knackered through her, and her hands started to tremble. Kyle was right, but the way he had said it, with anger burning in his eyes, shook her.

“Maybe we should get back to work,” Robin said softly.

“I can’t believe you consider him your closest friend,” James said. “He seems rather rude and mean if you don’t mind me saying.”

“He just has a lot on his plate,” Robin said. “these murders have shaken everyone –”

“Look, you don’t have to take me seriously,” James said. “I have barely known you guys for a week. But I have studied human psychology, and I have worked as a profiler. If you ask me, he is unnaturally obsessed with you. In fact, he has a strange sort of possessiveness of you. It’s alarming how much he seems to be attached to you.”

“He is just looking out for me,” Robin protested.

“I don’t wish to offend you, Robin,” James said. “But in my professional opinion, this is not normal.”

With that, he returned to work, but his words continued to resonate through Robin’s mind. There couldn’t be anything to it, could there?

Chapter Seven

“Oh God,” Robin said, tears in her eyes. “I don’t believe this. This can’t be happening.”

Abby looked back into her eyes, trying very hard to keep her tears at bay.

“What do you think?” Abby whispered.

“Absolutely ethereal,” Robin whispered.

Abby stood in front of her, dressed in her wedding gown, her long veil cascading down her back.

“Oh, don’t make me cry,” Abby whispered. “I have got my makeup on!”

“I can’t believe you are getting married today!” Robin said.

“I can’t believe it either!” Abby said. “What about Jim? Did you see him? Is he standing out there?”

“Yes, he is,” Robin said. “And I must say he looks rather handsome.”

“Are you sure I am not making a mistake?’ Abby whispered.

“You love Jim,” Robin whispered. “And he loves you. Do you realize how rare that is? I am so glad that you found love in your life, Abby. I am so glad that you are happy.”

“Alright, time to go,” Abby said, and Robin offered her sister her arm. Not having their father to walk Abby down the aisle, Robin had offered to do it. The two sisters walked out of the room and into the wedding hall, where Jim stood waiting. He looked handsome and proud as he gazed down at the woman that was to be his wife. The guests all smiled, and Robin spotted James standing in the back row. James winked at her, and Robin smiled back.

The wedding march began to play, and Robin slowly led her sister down the aisle. She smiled as she saw Jim tear up, and her heart swelled with happiness. Jim pulled out his handkerchief to wipe his eyes, and Robin wondered how it felt to love someone so much, so deeply.

“I love you,” Robin said to Abby, kissing her cheek before walking away. Abby stood next to Jim, and the preacher began the ceremony.

“Have you prepared your vows?” he asked.

Jim cleared his throat and, looking at Abby, said, “You are the light of my life, Abby. Before I had you in my life, I was breathing. I was moving through life mechanically and not really enjoying it. Not really there. And then I met you, and everything changed. I started to actually live! I started to want to live! You filled me up with a soul and with your love, and it made me feel alive. I never thought I could feel so much love, or in fact, I never thought I was deserving enough to be loved. But you, Abby, you changed everything. You gave me love I never thought I would feel. I am the luckiest man to have you in my life, and I vow to spend the rest of it showing you exactly how much I love you every single day.”

Abby sniffed, tears falling down her cheeks.

“Jim,” She whispered. “I had such a long speech prepared, but I don’t think I can say it. There is no way I could say anything more beautiful than what you said. You not only talked of your own heart but my heart. So, I will just say this, I love you, Jim. You are a gem of a person, and if I had to spend the rest of my life looking for anyone remotely as good as you, I would fail. You are like heaven on Earth. I wish I could say you are everything I dreamed of, but I can’t because you are a lot more. I couldn’t even have imagined a man as good and as perfect as you in my life. You are more than what I wanted. You were who I needed. I love you, Jim. I always have. And I always will.”

Robin barely heard the rest of the ceremony, as she was so overcome with emotion. The preacher pronounced them man and wife, and the happy couple kissed. Robin clapped and cheered as her sister beamed down at everyone.

“Care to dance?” James said, appearing behind her. Jim and Abby had just finished their first dance, and now everyone was littering on the dance floor.

“Of course,” Robin said. He took her into his