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“But you do love him, right?” she asked, her voice slightly anxious.
I wasn’t about to lie to my best friend.
I’d already learned that once in a while I had to watch what I said to her so I never disclosed anything that Chase wouldn’t want me to tell. But these weremyfeelings. “Yes. I think you already know that, but you can keep it to yourself for now, please.”
“I’d never say anything that would betray our friendship, Vanna. Nor would I ever want to hurt Chase. I might hint or something when I want to knock your heads together, but I’d never want to do anything to overstep my bounds as your future sister-in-law.”
“Torie,” I said in a warning tone.
“Alright, alright,” she said jovially. “I’ll behave since you’re the woman who has made my brother happier than I’ve ever seen him. Now, if I could just get someone to take Wyatt.”
I chuckled. “I have a feeling he doesn’t want to be taken.”
I really liked Wyatt, but I’d known him since childhood. I knew that he had a heart underneath all that cynicism, but it was going to take a very smart, very brave woman to get to really know him.
“He has absolutely no interest in dating anyone,” Torie said, sounding thoroughly disgruntled.
“Maybe he’s happy that way,” I suggested.
She shook her head slowly. “I don’t think he is. He’s just never found anyone who really wants to get to know him. I think we both know that Wyatt is a softie beneath that rough exterior.”
I snorted. “You think that because he would always do anything foryou.”
“He’d do anything for the right woman, too. Mark my word on that,” she replied smugly.
She was probably right. I’d certainly watched Torie wrap both of her brothers around her little finger as a kid. Although I wasn’t certain I’d exactly call Wyatt a “softie.”
“So tell me about work,” Torie requested. “Are you really feeling okay about leavingDeadline Americanow?”
“Better every day. I just sold my story on the Darien Gap to the paper here in San Diego,” I informed her. “Actually, I had multiple offers from publications that have already accepted me as a freelance journalist. I’m going back and updating pieces that are still really hot issues. I was really nervous, but I think I can publish most of the stories I write, Torie. Chase was an enormous help with the legal issues.”
Torie frowned. “Was there ever any question about your ability to sell that story and any others that you write?” she asked, sounding confused. “Vanna, you’re probably the most talented journalist I’ve ever read. That story was so heartbreaking that I cried when I read it. You present the facts, but it all comes from your heart. You have a gift that you’ve worked at and honed over the last decade. There’s never been a single doubt in my mind that publicationswouldn’tbe fighting each other for your work. Do you think you’ll still have to travel?”
I smiled at her, grateful that Torie was my best friend. “Probably,” I replied. “But in a world where I can do interviews and research by computer, I doubt it will happen often or for very long. It depends on what the story is about. I’m throwing around some interesting ideas for local and regional issues to work on once I finish updating my previous stories. Who knows? I might decide to write books about the stories that mean something to me someday.”
“I think that would be amazing,” Torie said enthusiastically. “I think you were meant for even bigger things thanDeadline America.”
“For now, I think I’m pretty burned out on traveling around the world.”
I had a whole beautiful new life with Chase that I just wanted to enjoy for a while before I even thought about traveling for a story.
Torie snorted. “Well, at least you can travel by private jet now when you do have to go. You don’t think for a single second that Chase would have it any other way, do you?”
I smiled. “No. We’ve already had that discussion. I might be independent, but I’m not crazy. If it makes him feel better, I’d take him up on that offer. The bodyguard issue is a whole different thing. I’d go crazy having someone watching me all the time. I understand his concern because of the crazy letters he’s getting. I’m worried about his safety right now, too, but the human bodyguard is a no-go for me.”
“You can’t blame the guy for trying,” Torie said.
“Chase can be stubborn sometimes. If I didn’t know better, I’d think my name was ‘Dammit Vanna’ when we disagree. Did Cooper try?” I asked curiously.
“He already knows I’d never go for that, either,” she responded. “And Cooper really isn’t as high profile as Chase. Mining and luxury brands are two completely different industries. Now that Chase and Wyatt are the faces of the company, they are front and center when it comes to publicity. Especially Chase. Since Wyatt isn’t exactly social, Chase has willingly taken on the role almost singlehandedly. It makes sense that he’s a little worried about you. Not to mention the fact that you almost died when you were kidnapped in a foreign country not long ago. I think that experience is still pretty fresh for him, Vanna.”
“I know,” I said. “He still asks me every day how I’m feeling about the kidnapping. I still have times when I’d like to remember more of what happened, but I’m pretty okay with not knowing now.”
I’d also managed to conquer my fear of the dark with Chase’s help.
If I had to sleep alone now, I doubted that I’d need a nightlight anymore.
Torie was silent for a moment before she said in a quiet voice, “I saw a few of Chase’s scars the other day, Vanna.”
