“Most of the guests have arrived,” he said. “We’re still waiting for Hayes and Savannah, and for Wheeler. But everyone else is asking for you.”
“Thank God,” I said, glancing at Gina.
She continued to smile as she looked out the glass door. “It looks like my husband and Logan are having a good talk.”
“Yeah, I think Logan actually likes Vince.” Kyle shook his head. “That’s a new one for me.”
“I’m sure he likes you,” I told Kyle. When he arched an eyebrow, I went to him and gave him a kiss. “Well, I like you.”
“That’s all that matters,” he said, and gave me a very earnest kiss back.
“Okay, well, if you two need to try out a stunt bed, Darla and I will entertain the masses,” Gina said.
“Don’t ask,” I told Kyle, then helped him carry food trays out to the deck.
Our friends were spread out across the lawn. Bella was making the rounds, begging for food and occasionally succeeding. I knew better than to allow it, but she was so happy and outgoing among a crowd of people who loved her, I didn’t have the heart to curtail her fun. And she didn’t even know yet that her favorite playmate, Rocky, would be coming along with Ryan.
I spent the next twenty minutes greeting everyone. Kat and Gage were chatting with Alisha Gore and Sarah Pickney, the new full-time vets at the practice. Both women had also been victims of Scott. But more importantly, they were wonderful vets and truly good women. Together, the threeof us felt stronger for what we’d been through, and we were excited to be working together.
Pasco introduced me to Jason Jensen, whom Kyle had told me was the head of IT at HEAT. Pasco referred to him as the world’s second-best hacker and worst bartender. Jensen argued about the first but seemed unperturbed by the second.
“We’ve made a special drink in your honor,” Jensen said.
“Oh.” I smiled tightly, having tried Pasco’s concoctions more than once and been warned by Savannah about Jensen’s role in creating the team-building exercise of enduring terrible cocktails together. “Can’t wait.”
Jensen laughed. “I see my reputation precedes me. Don’t worry. It’s nothing dangerous. Bond wouldn’t allow it.”
Catching her name, Samantha, standing several feet away from us, shook her head at her friend. “I’m not sure we should inflict your skills on civilians.”
“These are no ordinary civilians.” I turned to see Logan Lang approaching. He shook hands with Jensen, then turned to me. “You have good team, Cami. How are the new docs working out?”
“It’s been great,” I answered as Logan and I walked a few feet away from the others. I had the sense he wanted to speak with me privately. “What’s up?” I asked him.
“Just checking in,” he said. “Rogers mentioned you’ve talked to a PTSD therapist.”
“Yes,” I said. “X recommended a therapist who has been a huge help to all of us.”
“Glad to hear it.” He lowered his voice. “I also wanted to say, although it’s none of my business, you’re good for Rogers.”
“Thanks.” I grinned. “You like him, don’t you? Don’t worry, I won’t tell him if you don’t want me to.”
He scowled, then returned his face to neutral. “I’m good with having him as my second.”
I nodded solemnly, pretty sure that was high praise coming from Logan.
By the time I’d circled back to the deck, Savannah and Ben had arrived. Every time I saw her, which was at least once a week now that she and Mai had officially adopted Gina, Darla, and me into their girls’ night out group, she looked more pregnant. And every time I ran into Ben, he looked happier.
“Sorry we’re late,” Savannah said when she hugged me. “We have so much trouble getting out the door these days.” She winked at her husband.
I didn’t ask any follow-up questions, suspecting that their reasons for running late were personal, and wanting to respect boundaries, unlike my bestie.
Savannah brought me up to date on Mai’s schedule, and promised another fun girls’ night out with my friends and I along with Savannah, Kat, Samantha, Mai, and Mai’s HEAT partner Cynthia.
“She’s another kickass woman,” Savannah said. “You two willloveeach other.”
Was that how she saw me, as a kickass woman?
Before I could ask, Ben said loudly, “Where the hell is Wheels?” He used the nickname Kyle had come up with for Ryan Wheeler. “How are we supposed to perform our song?”
