Page 23 of Abandoned

“Uh. Never mind that. Are you okay?”

She wandered into her bedroom and picked up a few things while they talked. “I’m fine, just a little creeped out. Not sure I’ll be able to sleep tonight.”

“Why don’t you come to my place? I have a couch, so you can sleep, and Harry’s here to keep you safe.”

“Harry?”

“My Smith & Wesson.”

Zara laughed. “I love it. I feel safer already.”

“Can I come help you clean up tonight, or do you want to leave it until tomorrow?”

“Will and I did a little while the detectives were here.”

“Is Will still there?”

“Yes. And I’m not sure I can sleep anytime soon.”

“If Will is all right with it, I can come over and help now if you want.”

“I think that would be good.”

“Ask him though.”

“But why?”

“We haven’t always gotten along the best. I want to respect boundaries.”

“I want that story.”

“One day.”

Zara stepped back into the living room where Will sat on the couch, texting. “AJ offered to come help with this mess but wanted me to make sure you were okay with her coming.”

“She really asked that?” Confusion flashed on his face. “You aren’t going to be able to sleep anyway. And I don’t really want to leave. It would be good if she came.”

Zara relayed his approval and hung up. She wanted to press him for details, but maybe it was a personality thing or one of those stupid high-school things that just hung on forever.

When AJ arrived, Zara let her in. “Thanks for coming over.”

“Sure thing. I know what it’s like to not have a lot of people you can call on to help when life is sideways.”

They walked to the kitchen where Will had started cleaning. He smiled at them. “Hey, AJ. Thanks for being willing to come help.”

“My pleasure.”

Will laughed. “You worked at Chick-fil-A too long.”

AJ joined in his laughter.

While Will continued in the kitchen, AJ helped Zara with her bedroom. They chatted about random things, and AJ told her about life at Fire Station Seven. A new firefighter was starting soon, and AJ was nervous about how the dynamic would change. Around two a.m., Zara yawned, and once one came, she couldn’t stop.

AJ said, “Will, you need to pull rank on her and tell her to get some sleep.”

He looked up from the movies he was organizing and chuckled.

Zara dropped to the couch. “Fine. I admit it. I’m tired.”