Page 22 of Unlocking Hope

Jessica smiled at her, making her feel at ease for the question. “Yes, Brock hates when we can’t get the seat in the back so he can watch the place.”

Brock squeezed his wife’s hand. “I don’t like when I can’t fully protect you.”

“Because someone’s going to grab me at the ice cream shop,” Jessica joked.

Brock’s brows drew together. “You were taken at a bar, your friend had a bomb strapped to her at the grocery store, and someone tried to put a sleeping agent in the ice on a plane.”

Jessica frowned for a second. “You’re right. I shouldn’t have joked about that.”

On the way over, Cole had told the story about Jessica smelling the ice in the cups from the flight attendant and it smelling wrong. He was able to signal his teammates not to drink anything on the plane. The airplane would have been hijacked, and Jessica had helped save many lives that day. Zoey was in awe of the woman, and meeting her in person was even better.

“Cole told me earlier about the plane. I can’t believe how brave you are.”

Jessica shifted in her seat. “Instincts kicked in when it was the heat of the moment.”

The night continued, and Zoey relaxed. Jessica and Brock were terrific people, and she understood why Cole liked them so much. Bella thanked him again for helping save her from the crazy people who’d kidnapped her and taken her to San Francisco. She was enjoying herself, and when she saw Amanda walk into the bathroom, she wanted to talk to her. Not sure if it was the second margarita, she had a little courage.

When she excused herself, Jessica joined her. “You know us women can’t go by ourselves.” She turned to her husband. “We’ll be back.”

Bella waved and stayed with the three men.

Jessica gripped Zoey’s arm and leaned in. “Are you going to talk to the waitress? You saw the way she was acting, didn’t you?”

Zoey wasn’t sure she understood the meaning behind Jessica’s question. “You’re not going to stop me. I think she needs help, and even if it’s an ear, I’m going to try. I’ve been the one thinking nobody was here for me, and I don’t want to see someone else go through that.”

A smile spread across Jessica’s face. “I like you. No, I noticed it earlier too, and I’ve been waiting for her to take a break. Now let’s go find out before Brock figures out what I’m up to.”

The two women headed toward the bathroom and waited outside the stall for Amanda to finish. When she walked out, she had tears running down her face. She quickly wiped them away when she saw Zoey and Jessica. “Oh, I didn’t hear anyone come in.”

“Why are you crying? Who did this to you?” Jessica demanded.

Amanda stepped back and flinched.

Zoey stepped forward and took her hand. “We were both worried about you. Something seemed off, and we wanted to know if you need help.”

She let out a sigh. “The only help I need is a plastic surgeon. No… sometimes, the customers can be rude, but in time, it will get easier.”

“Fuck them,” Jessica said. “You’re beautiful, and if they can’t see it, who cares? They only say mean things to make themselves feel better.”

“That would be easier to think if I didn’t have this down my face.” She pointed to the scar.

After taking a quick glance around the empty bathroom, Zoey said, “You are gorgeous, and when you find the right man, he won’t even notice the scar. Is that all that’s bothering you?”

The woman glanced back at the door. She crossed her arms across her body and let out a sigh. “Nothing is the problem. I’m just having a bad day.”

Zoey didn’t believe her, but she wasn’t going to call her out. Instead, she reached into her purse and pulled out a piece of paper and pen. “Here is my number. Call if you need anything or even someone to hang out with.”

Jessica grabbed the piece and quickly wrote down two numbers. “That number is mine, and the other is a man named Brock. If you need help, he can help, no questions asked. Tell him I gave you the number.”

“Thank you,” Amanda said before rushing out of the bathroom.

“She’s hiding something.”

Zoey nodded. “But she doesn’t know us well enough to let us help.”

The next thing she knew, Jessica was hugging her. “You’re one of the good ones. Cole’s lucky to have found you.”

Excited to have made another friend, Zoey laughed. “I’m happy I shot at him.”

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