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could, but I already have a full schedule next week and I have to be in court on Thursday. I can’t get out of representing our biggest client,” he said with a frown on his face. He glanced ove r at Kate as he finished his statement.
    “It’s not going to be a big deal. I will have plenty of family around me. My brother is going with me and I’ll have my aunt. She and I have always been close. She’s like the dad I never had,” Kate said, exhaling sharply and giving Charlie a glare. She wished that Charlie hadn’t put Neil on the spot like that. She knew that he loved her, but they had only been in a relationship for the past couple of months. That wasn’t long enough to expect him to drop everything to go to her dad’s funeral, especially when it might bring up sad memories about Elizabeth’s death. She hoped that Neil didn’t feel uncomfortable with Charlie’s question.
    “Oh, of course. It’s hard to get away on the spur of the moment,” Charlie replied. She had noticed Kate’s stern look and did her best to recover. Kate smiled at her and nodded slightly. Relief flooded Kate’s body as Charlie’s response let Neil off the hook.
    The waitress came by to get their drink order. Since everyone wanted a margarita, they ordered a pitcher to share.
    Mitch talked about the company he was working for. He had just been promoted to sales manager. Kate knew that it was a big deal since he was planning on popping the question next month. He had been given a big raise and he also would get a commission on every sale his team closed.
    The waitress returned with the margaritas and took their order s. She also had the bus boy stop by with another basket of chips and more salsa since the first round had been devoured.
    Kate could tell that Charlie was pleased with Mitch’s news. Charlie had been hoping for a marriage proposal for a long time. Her wait would be over soon enough. She couldn’t wait to hear all about it when Charlie called to tell her the big news.
    “So, any exciting plans for Thanksgiving?” Kate asked Mitch and Charlie.
    “We are splitting the day between our families. We are going to my parents’ house for lunch and Mitch’s parents’ house for dinner. We’ll be wearing our fat pants for sure,” Charlie said with a chuckle.
    “We’re doing the exact same thing,” Kate exclaimed. “It will be the first time that we meet each other’s family. I’m both excited and nervous.”
    “You have nothing to be nervous about,” Neil said, taking Kate’s hand and kissing it. “My family is going to love you just like everyone else does.”
    The waitress brought their food. “Can I get you anything else ?” she asked.
    “No, I think we’re good,” Mitch said , looking around the table to see nodding heads.
    “Let me know if you need anything.”
    After the waitress walked away, Kate brought up the fact that Roger was back in town.
    “Oh , my gosh. It’s been a month already,” Charlie exhaled.
    “Yes , it has. It went by quickly. Neil thinks he’s going to look for me. Please be careful. He might try to follow you to find me.”
    Charlie nodded. “I hope that they find some evidence to arrest him. I hate that you have to live looking over your shoulder all of the time.”
    “As far as I know, nothing has changed. They still don’t have anything to go on.”
    Neil took this as a golden opportunity. “I’ve been trying to convince her to quit Nordstrom,” he said. “Just because she has changed stores doesn’t give me confidence that he won’t keep trying to find her. He’s clever enough to avoid being arrested.”
    “That is a good point,” Mitch interjected. “He’s not a n idiot. He’s outsmarted the police and managed to trick people into trusting him. None of the people in his life suspected that he was a killer. He’ll most likely figure that you went to another Nordstrom.”
    Charlie added, “We all want you to be safe. Would it be so bad to find another job? I