Page 59 of Shenanigans

Chapter Seventeen

I stared at myself in the mirror. No amount of makeup was going to fix two black eyes, a badly swollen nose and a busted lip.

Jana sulked on my bed. “You arenotwearing that crappy t-shirt on the first date you’ve had in a year.”

“There’s nothing wrong with my t-shirt and I went out with Matthew Brown three months ago.”

“He was a dog napper you were trying to bust,” Jana retorted.

“We had dinner, so technically it was a date.”

“You dumped your drink on his head.”

“The jerk groped me,” I countered.

“And you hit him with your van.”

“He was stealing another dog and shot at me.”

Jana threw her hands up. “It’s a miracle you’re still breathing.”

“You’re still mad about yesterday. It wasn’t my fault the bad guys tried to steal the cops’ motorhome. All I did was stop them.”

Tinkerbell barked.

“With Tinkerbell’s help,” I added.

Letting out an aggravated breath, Jana went into my closet and picked out a red silk blouse and a pair of black jeans. “Wear these. The outfit you have on makes you look like a homeless person.”

I glanced down. My jeans were a little holey. Crap, was that a bloodstain on the left shoulder? It was. Rescuing abused animals was hard on clothing. I took the shirt and jeans from Jana. “I didn’t mean to worry you, but evil is real. I can’t stand by and do nothing. It’s not in my nature.”

“Tell me about it. I’m buying you some body armor. When you go into your warrior mode, you’re utterly fearless.” Jana hugged me. “I don’t want you to end up in my mortuary.”

Tears welled in my eyes at the pain in hers. I hugged Jana back. “I will do everything in my power not to end up on a slab.”

“Pinkie swear?”

I hooked my little finger with Jana’s. “Pinkie swear.”

“Where is Dutch taking you?”

“Hilberto’s. Monday is all-you-can-eat fajitas,” I replied.

Jana’s mouth dropped open. “Are you shitting me?”

“No.” I didn’t like the crazed look in her eyes. “What’s wrong with Hilberto’s?”

Jana yanked the clothes out of my hands. “Forget changing. Homeless is the perfect look for this so-calleddate.”

“I thought I was the ideal woman for Dutch and he was sex on two legs?”

“He’s a cheap bastard.”

The doorbell rang. “Coming,” I shouted.

“No! I’ll get the door.” Jana stormed out with Tinkerbell on her heels.

I picked up the red silk blouse and held it up. Yikes! The color only highlighted my bruises.

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