“And with a badge,” Orly added. “He’s already proven he can pretty much get away with anything. The last thing I want to do is put an innocent child in the middle of all that.”
“We get it,” Skyla said, reaching across the table to cover Orly’s other hand with hers. “And we’re all here for you. Having the three of you as my best friends, I don’t think there’s anything we can’t do as long as we stick together.”
Reese put her hand on top of Skyla’s, and Hallie added hers on top of Reese’s.
“Together,” Hallie said.
“Together,” Skyla said.
“Together,” Reese added.
“You guys are the best,” Orly said, her voice cracking.
“I just wish there was more I could do.” Reese said. He’d put Orly through hell, and then turned around and did the same to her. She and Garrett were nowhere near even thinking about starting a family, but Reese didn’t think she’d want to bring a child into the world either until things with Russell were settled, and she could be sure that her child would be safe from him.
“Don’t beat yourself up,” Orly said. “None of this is your fault. You’re a victim of his, too. I’m just glad I was able to help you when I did. I honestly didn’t think I had it in me to help myself that night, let alone someone else.”
“You were incredible,” Reese said. “I still can’t believe I spent most of the last year thinking you weren’t real. I just couldn’t fathom the idea of someone out there being able to do what you do. It sounds so surreal, like out of a movie or a comic book series. You literally save lives.”
Orly sighed, and there was a momentary heaviness in the air that made Reese’s heart break for the woman sitting across the table from her. Because no matter how many people Orly saved, Reese was suddenly sure that there had been at least one or two that Orly couldn’t help.
“Okay,” Skyla said. “Change of topic. What’s going on with you and Garrett?”
Even though Reese was keeping her gaze below eye level, she could feel all eyes instantly turn to her, and her cheeks went crimson from the unexpected attention. “Nothing,” she said a little too quickly. “He’s wonderful.”
“Wonderful?” Orly asked, perking up a bit. “How wonderful?”
“Yeah, because we heard he moved you into his house,” Hallie said.
Reese couldn’t help the giggle that escaped, and all the women quickly followed. More drinks were poured and one of the waitresses brought over new pitchers, and took away the nearly empty ones. “He did, but only for my protection. He’s such a gentleman. Always making sure I have everything I need. Reminding me that I can talk to him about anything. Whether it’s work or Russell or whatever. He’s just really been there for me, and I can’t even begin to tell you how much it’s meant to have him in my corner.”
“And?” Skyla asked.
“And what?” Reese asked.
“The man hasn’t taken his eyes off you since you sat down, and believe me, the guys have tried to distract him with all their antics. So, you’re either holding back the good stuff, or you're in for an incredible night,” Hallie said.
“Not that he would ever do anything you don’t want him to,” Orly added. “Garrett’s the best though, so if you don’t feel the same way about him that I’m pretty sure he feels about you, then you really need to tell him.”
Reese loved how protective the women were of the men. It just went to show how awesome the guys were, and especially how good to his core Garrett was. “We’ve kissed,” Reese admitted.
“I knew it!” Skyla practically screeched. “That man has had a thing for you since day one. Tell us everything.”
Reese couldn’t stop smiling now if her life depended on it. Her cheeks were burning, and there were butterflies in her belly. The kind she used to get when talking about a crush with her close girl friends back in high school. “It was everything,” she said, using the only word she could think of to describe kissing Garrett. “He’s sweet and caring, and he never pushes or makes me feel like he wants more than I’m ready to give.”
“I’m so happy for you two,” Orly said. “Garrett is one of the best guys I know, and he deserves someone who will make him happy.”
“Definitely. It’s been a while since he’s been with anyone,” Hallie said. “I mean it was before I met Caden, and Caden said his last relationship ended really badly.”
Reese nodded. “He hasn’t said much, but I kind of got that, too.”
“Garrett is strong,” Skyla said. “Whoever broke his heart all those years ago has no hold on him now. He’s yours for the taking, Reese. If you want him, of course.”
Reese wanted Garrett more than anything, but Orly wasn’t the only one hanging on by a thread, waiting for the other ‘Russell shoe’ to drop. Russell was her stepbrother, and he’d tried to have her committed, and when that didn’t work, Reese was sure he’d been the one to put Vivian on her trail. And when she managed to get away from Vivian, Russell had likely tried to have her kidnapped.
As much as she wanted to be with Garrett, she had no idea how she was supposed to settle down and plan out her life when Russell was still out there, probably planning his next move against her.
“Excuse me?”
