Page 47 of Saving Meadow

“Damn,” I whispered.

“See you tonight, Red. Have a good day at work.”

He gave me a brief kiss, put me in my car, and waited for me to drive away before he got in his. I loved that too, Nick taking care of me, even if it was to watch me safely drive away.

When I pulled into the parking lot at work, I was ready to turn around and crawl back into bed. Beth was getting out of her car, and the way she slammed her door told me she was going to be on the warpath today. Geez, I hated that woman.

My phone beeped in my purse, a brand-new Michael Kors number I’d splurged on; it might not have been a Coach, but it was a step up from the cheap off brands I normally bought. I pulled my phone out and saw I had two missed texts from Veronica Venus and one from Nick.

Nick: I love you, Red. Have a good day and remember do not take shit from Beth. Tell her to shove it where the sun don’t shine.

I snorted a laugh as if I’d actually tell her that. She’d probably tattle, and I’d get fired. It was amazing how my boss couldn’t see through her shit. If she kissed his ass any more, she’d be milking his prostate. Hell, maybe that’s what she was doing.

Me: I love you. Thanks for last night. xoxoxo

I held my breath when I scrolled to VV21. I used to look forward to Veronica Venus’ messages, but these days I never knew what I would find.

VV21: I hope your sleep over went well. 😊

VV21: Please let me know you’re safe. Haven’t heard from you. Hope Mr. FBI man doesn’t have you tied up in his basement. By the way, how is the search going? Any new leads on who attacked you? You’re not going to let them try and hypnotize you again, right? I mean, it’s been so long, no use in trying to remember now.

I read and reread the message a few times trying to figure out if she was trying to be protective or backhanded by bringing up my attacker. Did she not want me to remember? I decided I didn’t have time to decipher what she meant, besides I had to deal with a bitchy Beth this morning.

Me: All is well. The sleepover was AMAZING. I’ll fill you in later - meeting in ten minutes. Thanks for checking in.

21

I love you, Meadow

“Now that’s a look of a satisfied man,” Mike laughed, coming to sit next to my desk, petting Sally when he did.

“Really?” I looked up from the list of storage providers that Meadow had checked off.

“You’re too easy. What’s wrong with Sally?” he asked.

“Man, she’s been on edge since I left the house last night. When I got home, she was sleeping in front of the bedroom door. After Meadow got up, Sally was pacing the kitchen, following everywhere she went. Meadow didn’t notice until we got outside, and Sally was still sticking close. I think she’s bonded with Meadow which is going to make the exchange with Gabe difficult.”

“Let me understand. You got a call out at 3 a.m. and left Meadow in your bed.” Nosy bastard. I’d played right into his hand. “When Meadow climbed out of your bed this morning Sally was acting weird.”

“Yep.”

“How many women have you had spend the night since you got Sally?” Mike’s smile couldn’t be any more smug.

“None.”

I hadn’t had a woman in my bed ever. Not that I was a monk, but I was careful who I allowed to know where I lived. Occupational hazard.

“You think Sally’s jealous?” he asked.

“I’d say yes, but she wasn’t sticking to me, she was on Meadow. Hell, she whined when Meadow drove away.”

“Well, you’re fucked. Your dog likes your woman more than you.” He laughed.

“That’s a problem. Sally’s not mine. She goes to Gabe next week.”

“Maybe she has to take a shit,” Ben added, stopping at my desk to give Sally a rub down. “I had a Golden Retriever that would circle and act weird when he was constipated.”

“Really? We’re talking about the bowel movements of canines?” Mike laughed. “I’m so happy I’ve never had a dog. That’s worse than new parents talking about the color of their baby’s shit.”