Page 77 of Abandoned

AJ touched Zara’s arm. “Let’s go get some cake. I have to head to work soon.”

“I hope it’s chocolate.”

“You and me both. I’m sorry Will hasn’t come back.”

“Whatever. Cake.”

AJ chuckled, and the friends went back inside the pub, joined by AJ’s friend Emily, the EMT who had taken the baby from Zara at the fire a couple of weeks ago.

The noise level inside assaulted Zara. Under normal circumstances, she’d barely notice. But whether it was all the trauma from the last few days or just her nerves about Logan and Will, it was too much tonight.

She stuck by AJ and Emily, and the three got pieces of cake—which was indeed chocolate—and found a corner by the pool tables to stand and eat.

Observing all the people congregating, Zara said, “Megan must be pretty popular.”

“This is more my sister’s doing than anything,” Emily said. “But the police department definitely seems to have a tight-knit community.”

Zara nodded. “It seems that way. I’m still trying to find my place in it. Sister?”

“Jenna.”

“That makes sense. I did think at one point that you look a lot alike.”

Emily chuckled. “The older we get, the harder it is to tell us apart.”

“Not when you were little?”

“She’s nearly ten years older.”

“That would make a difference.”

The three finished eating their cake.

AJ scraped her plate with her fork and licked it. “Em, what is going on with Brennan and Megan?”

Zara spotted the two in question across the room. Brennan stood beside Megan, his hand propped high on the wall. She giggled and tucked a strand of her short blonde hair behind her ear.

Emily said, “You seriously don’t know? He’s been pining after her for a while. Remember when we responded to the call when her ex put her in the hospital? That was the final trip wire for him. He’s fallen so hard for her. Maybe he’ll finally get up the nerve to ask her out.”

“Her ex would not like that though.”

Brennan looked at his watch, and his sigh could be felt across the crowded room.

Emily also looked at hers, and AJ looked at her phone.

Zara snorted. “I guess that means you all have to leave.”

The women nodded. AJ said, “Thanks for hanging out with me. I know I’m not Will.”

“I’m sure he’ll show at some point. I think I’ll text him.”

“Good idea. I’ll see you at home tomorrow.”

Zara smiled at AJ. Home. She liked that. Zara hugged both women before they left.

Taking the last bite of her own cake, Zara considered what to do. Stick around and wait for Will or leave?

Before she could decide, Jenna came up beside her. “I’m glad you came.”