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She thought about how she had been the one to initiate their first kiss. It probably wouldn’t have happened if she hadn’t done it.
“Merritt has a point,” Skylar said. “Oliver might need a nudge.”
Adelia nodded. “Maybe you’re right.”
After a few busy days with the girls, Adelia was looking forward to relaxing, beginning with sleeping in as late as she wanted. But around eight o’clock, she was awakened by the sound of hushed voices floating through the house. She reluctantly crawled out of bed and emerged from the guest room to see what it was all about.
Skylar and Merritt were seated across from each other at the table, and they didn’t look happy.
“Morning.” Adelia walked toward them. “I didn’t know you were coming over this early, Merritt.”
“I thought I’d bring coffee.” Why did Merritt’s voice sound shaky?
“That was sweet of—” Adelia’s eyes landed on a series of black-and-white photographs on the table between them. “What are these?”
“I found them in an envelope on the front door.”
Adelia looked closer at the photographs. There were a couple of her, Skylar, Genevieve, and Merritt taken at Sunset Grill, where they’d eaten after wedding dress shopping. But the next three pictures made her heart skip a beat. They were of her, Skylar, and Merritt, sitting at this very table yesterday after shopping for baby gifts for Genevieve’s shower.
“I’m really creeped out,” Merritt said.
“Me too.” Skylar looked through the window. “They were standing right out there on the deck when they took these.”
“This goes above and beyond the usual paparazzi,” Merritt added.
Adelia flipped the photographs over. No message this time. She grabbed the envelope and looked inside, then flipped it over and a slip of paper floated out onto the table.
I’ll get the money. One way or another.