Page 43 of Breathless
“Idon’tknow, bro,”Rafferty said.“Justus had a meltdown when she tried on her swimsuit because of thembeing forcedto wear bikinis and high heels during their abduction. Idon’tknow if going to the pool would be a good ideaor not. Chaney might not handle it well either.”
“Ididn’tthink of that,”Rawlins pointed out, then he recalled Chaney probably wouldn’t be able to get into pool either.“You might be right. Webettergo to a restaurant then. Just meet us in the parkandwe’lldecideonce we aretogether.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
After the call ended, he checked his watch and saw it was almost time for her to come out from her session. He got up from where he’d been sitting and walked back across the park toward the building to wait for her.
A smile was on her face when she exited the building and sprinted toward him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“Wow. Was your session that good?”
“Uh huh.”
“Maybe I need to schedule one with Dr. Saunders if she gives these results,” he said.
“She makes a person feel like life isn’t so hopeless, especially when I feel like I don’t know which way to go where my parents are concerned and paying for college.”
“I see. Well, you aren’t alone. I’m here for you,” Rawlins said. “And I have a surprise for you.”
“You do?” She cocked her head to the side. “What is it?”
“We’re going to meet up with Justus and Rafferty for lunch. They’ll be here soon so we can decide where to go eat. In the meantime, I think we need to discuss how much of what has been going on with you we are going to share with them. Do you want Justus to know you are changing majors? Volunteering at The Village? That you were stabbed?”
Chaney pulled away from him and blew out a breath like a deflated balloon. “Gee, thanks for bringing me down. But those are good questions. I don’t want to get into it with her. Not that I won’t eventually share, but right now, The Village and changing majors is mine. Does that make sense?”
“It does.”
“And I can’t tell her about getting stabbed or about Josie and Roger because then I’d have to tell her about The Village. It’s a little catch 22,” Chaney said.
“You’re right,” Rawlins agreed, taking her hand in his and walking her over to the park bench where he’d been sitting. “So, we will get together with them and get caught up. All I told Rafferty is that we’ve been dealing with your parents.”
“Good,” Chaney said. “That is enough for us to talk about if they should bring it up.”
An hourlater,Rawlins and Chaney slid into one side of a booth while Rafferty and Justus were sliding into the other.They’ddecided on an Italian restaurant in downtown Colorado Springs. The girls werechattering awayinstead of looking at their menus and it took longer than necessary to order in Rawlins’ opinion.
Once the waitress brought their drinks, they were finally able to get the girls to stop talking long enough to give their orders.
“Ican’tbelieve anyone would try to snatch For All away from the groomers,”Chaney said.“You must have been terrified when you got that call.”
“Iwas,” Justus said. “This is just one more reminder as to why Ican’twait until the trial is over and we can get on with our lives.”
“Me either,”Chaney agreed.If only you knew half of it, my friend.
“Does that mean you want tobe ridof us?”Rawlins teased, looking down at her adoringly.
Chaney smiled at him.“Nowdid I say that?”
“It was sort of implied,” he replied.
“Never,” Chaney said.
Justus reached across the table and grabbed her hand drawing her attention away.“Come with me. I need to go to the ladies.I’drather not go alone forsafety'ssake.”
“Sure,”Chaney reluctantly agreed. She could have sworn they’d just shared a moment and she regretted that Justus wanted to pull her away right this very minute.
“Five minutes or we will come after you,” Rafferty warned.
“Five,”Justus repeated, holding up her hand and spreading her fingers for emphasis that she understood.
