Page 33 of His Curvy Woman

Chapter 14

Whitley

It’s Friday night,and I’m making my famous salsa for the girls’ night I’m having. Tina and Andi are coming over to see the house and to watch the new Captain Marvel movie. We’ve been dying to see it but haven’t had the chance to all get-together and watch it. It’s nice to finally hang out with my girls after the last two weeks. It’s been a crazy whirlwind full of many changes. Good changes, but still it’s a lot. Hunter is working his last twenty-four-hour shift of his schedule tonight. When he gets home tomorrow, he will be off for the next five days.

Wednesday, Andi texted me, to tell me she heard Hunter was back in town and working with my dad and brother. When I confirmed it, she asked me to call her to tell her what was going on. I suggested dinner instead. His disappearance was somewhat of a mystery to our small island town, and now that he’s back everyone has been talking about it. That night, Andi and I met for dinner, and I told her all about what’s been going on, leaving out the part about why he left. She wasn’t upset like I was worried she would be. I was relieved that it wouldn’t be a problem. A rift between my oldest and dearest friend was not what I needed. Andi suggested we do a girl’s night when I told her that Hunter was working Friday.

Arya is laying in the kitchen watching me cook and sing off-key. She exudes strength and is smart as a whip. From the moment I saw her, I was in love, a bond formed between us instantly. I have to admit I wasn’t thrilled when Hunter sprung the whole protection dog thing on me. He’s going a bit overboard with his need to keep me protected. Maybe it’s all of his years spent in WITSEC that has him worked up, but I have a feeling he isn’t telling me something, and the little shit is working tonight, so I can’t get it out of him.

Kane Brown is playing through the Echo Dot in my kitchen, when a call comes through, telling me it’s Andi.

“Hey, girl, Hey!” Andi and Tina say the moment I answer, making me laugh.

“Where the hell are you two?” I ask.

“Keep your panties on, we’re like five minutes away,” Tina tells me.

“Did you remember to grab the tequila?” I ask.

“Yes, we got it. That’s kind of the reason we were running late. We made a stop at the liquor store to pick it up, and some guy was there making a scene.” Andi says.

“Oh, really? What happened?”

“I don’t know. He wasn’t from here. He started yelling at the clerk in another language when the guy didn’t give him the amount of change, he thought was owed to him.”

“What language was it?” I ask, worried it could only be one person.

“Hell, if I know.” Andi says while Tina says, “Russian or something like that.”

I know it has to be a coincidence, at least that’s what I try telling myself. I can’t go around being scared of Russian men just because of what happened to Hunter’s family.

I spot Tina’s red convertible Jetta coming up the drive.

“Oh, I see you. Bye.” I hang up and look at Arya. “We’re going to meet some of my friends. Are you ready, girl?” The dog stares at me blankly, waiting for a command.

“Stand,” I say in a calm but firm tone, and she stands. Grabbing her leash from where it’s hanging on the wall, I clip it to her collar. “Come.” I walk to the door and pull it open with Arya walking right beside me. The girls walk into the house and stop to give me a kiss on the cheek. They are carrying some bags for tonight’s festivities.

“The kitchen is right through there,” I say, nodding to the right. They walk to the kitchen to set the bags down. Shutting the door, I lock it and follow them in, still holding onto Arya’s leash. I’ve never had a dog before, so I’m a little nervous about her meeting new people, especially since she is a protection dog. Rider told us she would be able to tell the difference between a friend and a stranger by my reactions and mood. When we walk into the kitchen, I look down at her and say, “Sit.” Unhooking her leash, I tell her “Down,” and she lays on the floor, watching me.

“So, this is your new dog?” Andi asks.

“Yeah, this is Arya.”

Andi kneels down close to her and gives Arya her hand to smell. “Hey, pretty girl. How’s it going?” Moving slowly, she pets her behind the ear.

I breathe out a sigh of relief.

“You know she’s trained right. She’s not going to go around attacking people unless given the command.” Tina laughs.

“Oh, hush. This is my first pet.”

Tina looks at me and then at Andi. “Are you serious? You never had a cat or even a fish growing up?” She asks with wide eyes.

“No, it just wasn’t something we had. I’ve always wanted a dog, though.”

“Here’s your chance then, and you’ve got a damn good one at that,” Andi says.

“Thanks to her new boyfriend.” Tina teases.

---