Forever Hers by Walters, Ednah (top 50 books to read txt) 📕

waited, getting impatient as seconds passed. There was so much she wanted to say to that son of a bitch. That she couldn’t say anything was a bitter pill. Her gaze connected with one of the guys waiting to be seated. He smiled, earning him a glare from his partner. She became aware of the interest she was causing and wondered if her wig was tilted or something. Maybe she needed a quick trip to the restroom.

She’d eaten here before and knew her way. In fact, the restaurant was one of Nolan’s favorites. Turning, she headed toward the narrow hallway leading to the restrooms. Her makeup was okay and so was the wig. She went back to wait. It took less than five minutes to be seated by Rod’s partner.

“You are Hailey?” she asked as she sat.

The Gothic waitress nodded. “I’m filling in for my new BFF, who couldn’t come to work this evening because of stomach cramps.”

Somehow Amy knew Hailey had something to do with that. Amy scanned the room for Nolan and his new girlfriend while Hailey poured water into her glass.

They were seated at the far end of the room, the woman facing the front entrance. All Amy saw was the back of Nolan’s head. The girlfriend wore a red dress, but her hair was like Amy’s wig. She talked with hand gestures, her pretty face animated. Poor woman. She had no idea who she was dating.

“Do you know what salad you want to order?” Hailey asked

“Any will do. I don’t intend to eat it. Can you do me a favor?”

Hailey picked up the menu. “Sure.”

“After I get the call, spill something on Nolan’s girlfriend. Water, a drink, anything.” Like any woman, she’d go to the bathroom to clean up. Amy planned to warn the woman, and she hoped Nolan would see her following his girlfriend. Let him sweat some bricks worrying about her motive.

“That’s not part of Detective Fitzgerald’s plan,” Hailey protested.

“I know. Look at her.” The woman was laughing and appeared to be having a good time. “The least I can do is to tell her the truth.”

Hailey scowled, obviously not liking her idea. “Okay. One salad coming up.”

Amy watched Hailey walk away then studied Nolan’s table. She wished the woman could look away from him and see her. Surely, she’d see the resemblance. At the neighboring table, three guys made goo-goo eyes at Amy. She smiled and sipped her water. A bold one got up and approached her.

He squatted by her chair and looked up at her. “I’m Trent. He’s Chris,” he pointed at his friend, who smiled, “and he’s Jonas.” He indicated the third one. “We were wondering if you’d like to join us. That is, if you’re alone.”

Her first instinct was to blow them off, but then she remembered she had to make an impression. “I’m supposed to meet someone, but if he doesn’t show up, I will.”

“And you are?” Trent asked.

“Amy Kincaid.”

He stuck his hand and shook hers. “Nice to meet you, Amy.”

Before she could respond, Hailey appeared with the salad and shot the guy a pointed look as though she’d like to kick some butt. She placed the salad on the table. “Are they bothering you?”

“No. They’re just being friendly.”

“Expect the call any moment now. I’m heading to their table.”

She’d barely walked past the three guys’ table when a voice called out, “Is there a Ms. Amy Kincaid in the restaurant? Ms. Amy Kincaid.”

“That’s me,” Amy said loudly.

Across the room, Nolan whipped around. His gaze met Amy’s as she stood. She pretended not to recognize him, flashed Trent and his two buddies a sunny smile and started toward the entrance. Part of her was dying to turn and see what Nolan was doing.

At the desk, she picked up the phone, brought it to her ear and casually turned to face the restaurant. Nolan was staring at her with narrowed eyes. Beside him, Hailey tripped. The move was so effortless it seemed real. The glass of water on her tray tipped over and splashed Nolan’s girlfriend’s hair, face and the front of her dress.

Turning away, Amy said into the phone, “Yes?”

“You are supposed to trap Nolan, not flirt with some guy,” Eddie said.

Hailey must have told him. Amy rolled her eyes, too aware of the hostess’s veiled hostile glare and the people still waiting to be seated. “Where are you?”

“Outside, what do you think?”

“I mean, where are you? You are supposed to be here five minutes ago. I can’t believe you stood me up.” Nolan’s girlfriend walked past her, looking ticked off, and headed toward the restrooms.

“Now leave the restaurant.”

“Yeah, sure.” Amy passed the phone back to the hostess. “Men.”

The woman nodded. “I hear you, sister.”

“If he calls again, tell him I’m gone.”

“You got it.” The hostess glanced at Trent and his buddies. “There are always more fish in the sea.”

Amy chuckled. Funny how women could bond fast over their disappointments with men. Exchanging another conspirators’ grin with the woman, she headed toward the restrooms. An employee wearing an apron walked out just as Amy walked inside. The door closed and Amy stepped further into the bathroom.

It appeared empty. Amy checked the open stalls, then under the ones that were closed, but there were no visible feet. Had the woman left? How? Maybe she’d used the employees’ entrance.

Amy turned to leave. She was about to turn the handle when the sound of a gun cocking froze her in place. The floor shifted under her and her stomach dipped. Slowly, she raised her hand and tried to catch the glimpse of the woman through the mirror. The Glock was pointed straight at her back.

“Easy now,” the woman said pleasantly. “No sudden movements or the gun will go off. Lock the door.”

Amy did, her heart pounding hard.

“Turn around, nice and slow.”

Swallowing, Amy did as instructed. From the ease with which she held the gun, she was either a cop or learned from one—Nolan. Just like Amy had learned.

“Who’re you?” the woman asked.

“Amy Kincaid.”

“No,