Page 89 of Back in the Saddle

Fifth:Screw it, I’m calling you.

I then went to Luna’s text string.

First:How’d the date go?

Second:OMG, bitch! Arthur emailed.

Third:Call me!!!!!

I hit up Harlow and Raye’s texts, and they both started with asking about the date, and ended with demanding I call Luna.

I called Luna.

She answered with, “Oh my God. Thank fuck. Your car’s not in its spot, even so, I’ve gone to hammer on your door five times. Are you still at Eric’s?”

“Yes. What did Arthur say?”

“Wow. You’re still at Eric’s?”

I loved her, but…

“Yes! Luna, tell me what Arthur said.”

She shook off her nosiness and stated, “We need a confab. Like…immediately.”

“Just tell me what he said.”

“Honestly, Jess, you need to come home. This needs to be face-to-face.”

It felt like my throat closed so I had to shove out, “I’ll be home in a few.”

“Come to mine. See you then.”

We hung up, and I raced down the hall, into Eric’s room and then his bathroom.

It hadn’t occurred to me I should give him a head’s up I was coming in. At that juncture, nothing was occurring to me, except getting home and hearing what Arthur had to say then connecting with Katelyn.

But a lot occurred to me when I saw Eric in nothing but a dark gray towel, leaning over his sink, shaving.

His eyes came to me.

My eyes went to his chest.

Holy, mother of?—

“Jessie, what is it?” he asked.

I tore my eyes from his ridiculously gorgeous, perfectly hairy chest and said, “First, remember when I told you over pizza last night that I thought one of Jeff’s friends knew something about Jeff?”

Some shave cream still on his face (hot), he straightened to me and nodded.

“Well, Joshua’s wife called and texted. I was right. Jeff’s been in touch. And whatever else they have to tell me, she said was too much for voicemail, so I have to call.”

“Did you call?”

I was swaying side to side on my feet, anxious on the whole, mostly anxious to get to Luna.

“No, because Luna left a text saying Arthur had been in contact, and so I called her, and she said whatever Arthur had to say I had to hear face to face.”

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