Chapter 24

twenty-four

ALEX

By Friday morning, we still hadn’t fixed the program, so Dylan drove us to Boulder. For most of the journey, we bounced ideas off each other, trying to figure out why the code wasn’t working.

Before we’d left my house, Dylan had changed into blue jeans, a soft pink T-shirt, and white sneakers. He looked relaxed, happy, and kind of cute. A lot like his house.

I should have known I was in for a surprise when I saw his front door. It was mint green. Bright mint green. It matched the pots under the veranda and the mailbox at the front gate.

The inside of his home was just as colorful. A rainbow of cushions sat on the sofa, walls of abstract art sucked you in, and a collection of sparkling glass paperweights made me wonder what else I was about to discover.

“Alex?”

His voice pulled me from my thoughts. I left my suitcase on the bed I’d be using and walked back into the living room. Dylan was staring through the window. “What’s wrong? ”

“My parents are here. I wonder how they knew I’m home.”

“Maybe they were driving by and saw your truck in the driveway.”

“Or Mrs. Zelanski from across the street called them,” Dylan muttered. “Whatever you do, act like my client. Mom has a thing about me not being married.”

“A thing?”

“She’s Italian-American.” He walked into the entryway before I could ask what that meant.

Before Dylan could open the door, a small, dark-haired woman burst in. “Why didn’t you tell me you’re home?”

Dylan’s mom was like a mini tornado, wrapping him in a hug as the man behind her closed the door.

“We only arrived a few minutes ago.” Dylan turned to me. “Mom and Dad, this is my client, Alex.”

I smiled and walked across to them. “Hi. It’s nice to meet you.”

The gray-haired man shook my hand. His eyes crinkled at the corners, almost as if he’d heard what Dylan said about being half Italian. “I’m Ted, and the woman who isn’t letting go of Dylan is my wife, Elena. Welcome to Boulder.”

“Thanks.”

Elena finally let go of Dylan and shook my hand. “It’s nice to meet you. Are you coming to Luke’s wedding?”

From behind his mom’s back, Dylan shook his head.

“No. I’m staying here to catch up on some work. Besides, I don’t want to upset the plans you’ve made.”

Dylan’s shoulders hunched forward. Did I say the wrong thing?

“You don’t need to worry about that,” Elena said, waving off my excuse. “Where do you live, Alex?”

I glanced at Dylan, unsure how to respond .

“Would you like a cup of coffee, Mom?” Dylan asked, saving me.

Elena looked at both of us. “That would be lovely. Have you remembered that the wedding rehearsal starts at six o’clock?”

Dylan nodded. “I’ll be there.”

When they walked into the kitchen, Dylan’s mom picked up a shoe box that was sitting on the table. “Don’t forget to take your shoes to Luke’s apartment tomorrow.”

Dylan frowned. “Why would I take them there? The suits are at your house.”

The blood drained from Elena’s face. “The suits were supposed to be sent to Luke’s apartment.”

Dylan’s eyes widened. “They’re not there. I called Luke as soon as we arrived, and he said you had them.”

Elena clutched her chest. “They can’t be missing. Luke’s already a nervous wreck. If he realizes we don’t have them, he’ll be even more of a mess.”

“Take a deep breath,” Ted said as he wrapped his arm around his wife’s waist. “We’ll call the store and see where they were sent.”

“I’ve got their number.” Elena’s hand trembled as she pulled her cell phone from her coat pocket. “I called them the other day. Here it is.” She held the phone to her ear and waited.

I checked my watch. It was nearly five o’clock. I didn’t know what time the store closed, but Elena might be lucky to get a reply.

Ted must have thought the same thing. “Dylan, you stay here and keep trying the store. I’ll take your mom into town. We might catch them before they close.”

Elena ended the call. “Use my phone. If you need me, call your dad.” And as quickly as they arrived, Elena and Ted left.

Dylan sat on the edge of the sofa, redialing the store’s number. “I can’t believe we’ve lost the suits.”

“They have to be somewhere. If you don’t have any luck with the store, try your other brother. He might know where they’ve gone.”

While Dylan was on the phone, I made four cups of coffee. Whoever said weddings were the happiest day of someone’s life hadn’t been married.