“Then what?”
“Here we go.”
A black Escalade drives up, blocking our view, but the camera shows four women getting out, all dressed in the same skin tight black dresses. The man in the suit seems to know them and opens the door, allowing them to saunter through.
“Do you think they work here?” Maren whispers.
“Those outfits are phenomenal. What kind of night club is this?”
“We’re going to find out.”
As if on cue, a sleek Mercedes drives up to the valet and another couple exits. They go through the same process as the earlier couples. When the doorman is satisfied, they disappear behind the door as well.
Maren clicks furiously on her computer. “I think I have what we need.”
“What’s that?”
“I locked in the video and saved. When I get home, I’ll freeze frame and zoom in to get a better look at those cards. Maybe with that, combined with all the information from Justin’s account and the city permit, I can figure this out.”
“Then what?”
“Then we find a way to get in.”
“Oh my God, is there anything you’re not good at?” I praise, soaking up the last of my spaghetti sauce with garlic bread and popping it into my mouth.
“I can’t take credit for this one. My mom dropped it off today. I only had to heat it up and cook the noodles.”
I go still at his statement and swallow. “Your mom made us dinner?”
“Yes, she came to Charleston today. I met her here, we had a cup of coffee, talked for about half an hour, and then she went shopping.”
“She was here? In your house?”
“Yeah, Emi.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” My eyes scan the living room, dining area, and kitchen, looking for anything I’d left hanging around. Tuesday after spin class, I not only brought over a bag of clothes, but a few personal items, too. Thankfully, besides a few magazines, everything is in his bedroom and bathroom.
“I just told you.”
“Did you tell her about me?”
“She’s known about you from day one. Why do you think she conveniently skated into town, hauling her famous sauce, and the guilt trip from hell? She’s buttering you up.”
“Me? Why? Shouldn’t it be the other way around?” The question comes out a little shaky. He’s mentioned his parents a few times, but briefly. I know they have a great relationship, and now I’m kicking myself for not prying.
His lips start to twitch and his dimple pops. “I’m not a woman, so I can’t answer that. But she’s not-so-subtly dropped a dozen hints today that she wants to meet you.”
“What did you say?”
“I told her that we’d come over when things calmed down at work. I’ve been wanting a weekend away.”
“Weekend?” I squeak, anxiety rising at spending the weekend with his parents. I love Walker, and he loves me, but what if his parents don’t feel the same.
“My parents live on the adjoining property of the hunting camp. I have a small cabin there. We wouldn’t be staying at their house.”
“You want to take me to your cabin, meet your parents, and stay the weekend?”
He studies my face, his eyes lighting up with amusement. “Yes, Emerson, I want all that.”