by Susan Stoker
He groaned. “And you biting your lip isn’t helping. I need to get you home.”
“Don’t wanna,” she mumbled.
He chuckled. “We can’t stay out here all night. We’ll be a bug feast.”
He had a point. Bugs freaking loved her. Taking a deep breath, she pulled back so they were looking at each other. “Thanks for bringing me out here. It’s beautiful.”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart.”
Then he slipped his hand out of her pants and guided her back up the trail to the truck. Once again, on the way back to her condo, they were silent. He walked her up to her door and waited until she’d unlocked it and turned to him to speak.
“I had a good time,” he said.
“Me too.”
“I’m off tomorrow,” he hinted.
She smiled. “Want to come over for dinner?”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
She laughed, then sobered. “Is this weird?”
“What?”
“This,” she said, gesturing between them. “Us connecting so fast.”
He shrugged. “Maybe. But I don’t care. Do you?”
“Not really.”
“Good. I’ll see you tomorrow evening then. Around five again?”
“Sure.”
“Want me to pick up something on my way?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“What?”
“Anything.”
“Okay. I’ll text you and let you know to make sure it meets with your approval.”
“Sounds good.”
“Come here,” Taco said and pulled her into him.
Koren stumbled slightly and fell against his chest, but he held her secure and was kissing her before she could take a breath. It was short and sweet compared to their last kiss, but no less profound.
“See you soon,” he said, righting her and making sure she was steady on her feet before taking a step back.
“Bye, Taco.”
“Bye.”
Once again, Koren found herself closing her door and leaning against it. Every time she saw Taco, she fell harder. He wasn’t anything like the men she’d dated in the past. He was…more. In every way. And she liked more.
Chapter Seven
Six days later, Koren’s cell phone rang.
“Hi, Koren. It’s S-Sophie.”
“Hi,” Koren said as she moved the phone from one ear to the other. “Everything all right?”
“Yeah. I’m having an impromptu thing at m-my house tonight and wanted to invite you.”
“Oh,” Koren said, the disappointment easy to hear in her voice. “My friend Vicky is coming over for a few drinks. I haven’t seen much of her lately.”
“Let m-me guess…a certain firefighter has been taking up all your s-spare time?” Sophie asked.
Koren wanted to deny it, but Sophie was right. Every night that Taco hadn’t been working, he’d spent with her. They’d gone out to eat again, stayed in at her place, and she’d even been over to his house. It was almost scary how well they clicked. Things were moving quickly with him, but it felt right. “I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Koren said in an overdramatic voice.
Sophie laughed. “I don’t blame you. Our guys are pretty awesome. Anyway, s-since they’re all working tonight, we thought we’d have our own little get-together. You’re welcome to bring Vicky if you want to.”
“Really?”
“S-Sure. Why not? The m-more the m-merrier.”
“What should I bring?” Koren asked.
“Just whatever you want to drink. Beth is in charge of the grill, and I’ve got a m-million hamburgers and hotdogs we can eat.”
Koren frowned. “Is that smart?” she asked quietly, as if Beth was sitting in the next room and might overhear her.
“What? Oh! Actually, Beth is the best person to have in charge of the grill. S-She’s extra careful with fire now and s-she never lets the flames get too high and burn our dinner.” Sophie chuckled. “S-Say you’ll come.”
It felt good to be invited. “I’ll talk to Vicky, but I’m sure she won’t have a problem with it. What time?”
“Yay!” Sophie exclaimed. “Whenever. I think Adeline’s coming s-straight from work. Blythe worked in the library this m-morning, but s-she s-said s-she was going to take a nap before s-she came over. I s-swear that kid is s-sucking out all her energy. Beth will come over once everyone else is here and Quinn is on her way now. Oh, and Penelope will be here too.”
“Really?” Koren asked. “I was under the impression that she always worked the same shifts with the others.”
“S-She does usually. But for s-some reason, s-she asked the chief to s-switch her s-schedule around. M-Moose was none too pleased.”
“So she and Moose are dating?” Koren asked. She’d seen the two together, and it kind of looked like they were dating, but since they’d been arguing at the time, she wasn’t sure.
“Not really. I m-mean, they are and they aren’t. It’s complicated.”
“Right.”
“And I’m not s-saying that to blow you off. It really is complicated. I don’t think any of us really know what’s going on with those two.”
“Maybe I can ask some stupid new-to-the-group questions tonight and find out,” Koren said.
“Yes!” Sophie exclaimed loudly, then laughed. “I knew you’d be an awesome addition to the group. Call your friend and I’ll s-see you later.”
“Want me to text when I’m on my way?” Koren asked.
“No need. S-See you s-soon.”
“Later.” Koren hung up and found herself smiling. She liked Sophie already.
Koren texted Vicky and asked if the change of plans was okay, and got an immediate, “Hell yeah!” response.
For the rest of the afternoon, Koren took care of the pending requests for quotes and service that had come in overnight and that morning. Then she spent half an hour finalizing the details on some options for Blythe’s short romantic getaway. Time was quickly ticking, and if she and Squirrel didn’t go on vacation soon, their baby would arrive and they’d lose their chance.
Vicky was coming over to the condo around five-thirty, and then they’d head over to Sophie’s. She was going to follow Koren, because she needed to get home by eight to tuck her little boy in. Koren would never give her grief for that because Vicky and her husband had tried for years to have a child, and when her son was finally conceived, Koren had cried with joy right along with Vicky. Her son was the center of her world, and while Vicky was no longer able to spend as much time with her as they both wanted, Koren wouldn’t change a thing about her best friend’s new life.
It was getting close to five-thirty when Koren’s phone vibrated with an incoming text.
* * *
Taco: Heard you’re heading over to Sophie’s tonight.
* * *
She wasn’t sure if he was happy or not about the fact she was going to be spending time with the other ladies. She didn’t think he would be upset; in fact, he’d been telling her for a few days that the others wanted to get to know her better, and they’d accused him of monopolizing her time.
* * *
Koren: Yeah. She called earlier. I assume you’re not texting to scold me for not asking your permission.
Taco: Hell no. First, you’re a bit too old for getting permission to go “play” at a friend’s house. And second, I’m thrilled.
Koren: Thrilled, huh?
Taco: Maybe that’s not the right word. I’m very happy that you’re getting along with them. They didn’t like Jen…for good reason.
* * *
Koren hated his ex, and hated even more that he was obviously still affected by what she’d done.
* * *
Koren: Well, I like them…what I know of them. And I get to meet Beth tonight. She kinda scares me.
Taco: LOL. She scares me too sometimes. But honestly, she’s mostly harmless. And there’s no one I’d rather have at my back if
the shit hits the fan.
Koren: Is there a chance of shit hitting the fan?
Taco: No! I’m done with drama. All of it.
Koren: Good. I’m allergic to drama.
Taco: Something happen?
Koren: Nothing recent. But when I was in high school, one of the cliques decided to spread a rumor about me that wasn’t true. It was extremely hurtful and it stuck with me a couple years. Kids can be really cruel. I’ve avoided drama at all costs since then.
Taco: I’m sorry you had to go through that.
Koren: *shrug* It seems like a rite of passage. But I decided then and there to do whatever it takes to stay away from drama or the people who cause it.
Taco: Then it’s a good thing I’m drama free.
* * *
She wasn’t so sure about that. After all, his ex was currently in jail for killing several people and trying to kill his friend’s fiancée. And she was making a huge exception by befriending all the other women. They’d all definitely had their share of drama. But it was in the past, and she was counting on it staying there.
* * *
Koren: A very good thing.
Taco: Have fun. Will you text me when you get home?
Koren: Sure. You be safe tonight.
Taco: Always. Talk to you later.
Koren: Bye.
* * *
She really liked how attentive Taco was. He wasn’t smothering, didn’t insist that she text him whenever she left her place when he was working or anything crazy like that. He just wanted to know she was safe. And that felt good. Yes, her parents, brothers, and friends worried about her, but Taco’s concern was different.
Putting the phone down, Koren finished up with what she was doing and logged off her computer. She changed into a pair of jeans and a comfortable T-shirt and put on a pair of plain flip-flops. By the time she was ready to go, Vicky had arrived.
She gave her friend Sophie’s address and soon they were on their way. By the time they got to the house, there were several cars parked on the street. They headed for the door and it opened before they even got there.
“Hi!” Sophie greeted them warmly. “It’s great to s-see you again. And you m-must be Vicky! Come in, m-make yourself at home. Ice and glasses are in the kitchen.”
Koren smiled and followed the bubbly woman into the house. Sophie made introductions for Vicky, and when she was done, she said, “Beth and Penelope aren’t here yet, but they’re both on their way. I’ve got s-some finger food in the kitchen, help yourself.”
The second she was out of earshot, Vicky leaned in and said, “She certainly has a lot of energy.”
Koren chuckled. “Yup. From what I understand from Taco, though, she wasn’t always like this. I think her confidence has come from having friends like these and from her fiancé.”
“Well, I like her.”
“Me too,” Koren said with a smile, relieved that Vicky was already taking to Sophie. It wasn’t that she hadn’t thought her friends wouldn’t get along with Sophie and the others, but thinking it and seeing it firsthand were two different things. And if Vicky liked the women here, then Sue would too.
With a smile, Koren turned toward the door when she heard it open. Her smile died, replaced with a gasp when she saw who’d entered. It was Penelope—and she was leading a donkey.
Blinking to see if her vision cleared, Koren watched Quinn head over to greet the newcomers.
Koren had never seen a donkey so small. He was adorable! She and Vicky hurried over to the crowd at the door to meet the little guy.
“Hi,” Koren said to Penelope. “This is my friend, Vicky.”
“Good to meet you,” Penelope said with a smile. “This is Smokey, and he’s my PTSD service donkey. Well, not officially, but that’s what I call him. Sophie’s nice enough to let me bring him when I come over.”
“Can I pet him?” Vicky asked.
“Of course.” Penelope then went on to tell them the story of how she’d found the donkey burning in the middle of a forest fire. “We figured he belonged to a rancher nearby, but when we were driving away, Smokey ran after our truck crying in the most pathetic way. I couldn’t leave him.”
Koren ran her hand over Smokey’s head. “I wouldn’t have been able to either. He’s so cute.”
Just then, Coco, Adeline’s black lab, came over and nosed Smokey’s snout. The donkey lifted his head up and down and brayed loudly, scaring the crap out of Koren. She took a huge step back, and noticed that Vicky had done the same.
Penelope and the rest of the women merely laughed.
“He’s been looking forward to seeing Smokey since we got here,” Adeline said with a chuckle. “Wanna play?” she asked the duo.
Smokey brayed and Coco barked.
“Well, come on then,” Adeline said and headed for a sliding glass door in the living area. She let the two animals out and closed the door behind them.
“Aren’t you afraid they’ll run off?” Vicky asked.
“The yard is fenced on the front and s-sides, and the woods out back are dense,” Sophie told them. “But they’d never wander away. They love their people too m-much.”
“And they know that you’re going to give them leftovers,” Adeline said with an eye roll.
“That too,” Sophie agreed.
Koren was smiling at the easy way the women teased each other and genuinely got along, as Quinn came up to her. “I’m glad you could come tonight.”
“Me too.”
“And just so you know, we didn’t invite you over to grill you, or to make sure you really fit in or anything. I admit that we’re all a little leery after the whole Jen thing, but we enjoy your company.”
“Thanks.”
“Wait—you aren’t sure Koren fits in?” Vicky asked.
“It’s fine,” Koren said, putting her hand on her friend’s arm. When Vicky got riled up, it wasn’t good.
“No, seriously. I want to know why they’d think that. Because you’re the most laid-back, easygoing person I know. You pretty much fit in with anyone because you don’t have a judgmental bone in your body. The other day, you helped a woman in a motorized cart in the grocery store when everyone else was ignoring her. You constantly take customers that your co-workers won’t just because they’re not from America and have thick accents that can be hard to understand. You even stuck up for Quinn in the grocery store when you overheard people talking about her birthmark. I think it’s you who needs to be grilling them and deciding if they fit with who you want to hang around with.”
Silence followed Vicky’s impassioned speech, and Koren wasn’t sure if she should apologize, cry, or laugh.
“You forgot to include that she recently planned a getaway for an LGBT group because they were having trouble finding a travel agent willing to do the research required to find a safe place for them to vacation. And after she met Adeline and Coco, she went online and made a donation to a service dog organization to sponsor training a puppy. And she spent hours looking up information on stuttering, homelessness, and agoraphobia, trying to understand all of us so she wouldn’t accidentally say something offensive.”
Koren turned to look at the newcomer in shock.
“Beth!” Adeline shouted and went to greet her at the door.
Beth didn’t take her eyes from Koren’s. “Yeah, I researched you. And I’m really sorry. But after everything that’s happened lately, I couldn’t in good conscience not do a little digging. Erin was kidnapped by that psycho guy so he could hunt her. There was Milena and Sadie’s shit, Hope and Blythe were both homeless…and don’t even get me started on the stuff I’ve had to deal with in regards to Penelope’s SEAL and Delta friends. Everyone here has had firsthand experience with someone lying about who they really were. I’m probably the last person who can talk, since I totally deceived Cade during my stint with pyromania, but I wouldn’t be able to handle it if something happened under my nose again.”
Koren got it. She did. She wasn’t thrilled
that Beth had used her computer skills to look into her life, but she understood why she’d done it.
Blythe wasn’t quite as understanding. “That wasn’t cool, Beth.”
Beth opened her mouth to respond, but Adeline beat her to it, turning to Koren. “Did you really donate to a service dog charity?”
Koren nodded. “Yeah. I mean, I’ve been lucky enough to not have any need for something like that, but I got to thinking about all our veterans who come home from overseas and have a hard time integrating back into society. Or about someone like you, whose dog literally changed your life for the better. I don’t make a ton of money, but I wanted to do something to contribute.”
Koren felt Vicky grab her hand in support. She didn’t exactly feel like she was being interrogated, but it was close.
Beth walked over to Koren. Then she did something completely surprising—she put her arms around her and hugged her tightly. Koren couldn’t do anything but return the embrace.
“I really am sorry,” Beth said quietly into her ear.
Then she pulled back and turned to the others. “Koren’s good. We’re all good. I’m gonna be out back with the ass and mutt, lighting a big honking fire if anyone needs me.”
She marched across the room and out the sliding glass door. They could all hear Coco and Smokey greeting Beth as if they hadn’t seen her in years.
“Well…Beth has s-spoken,” Sophie quipped. “Welcome to the family, Koren.”
“She’s not our spokesperson,” Adeline said a little grumpily. “I didn’t need her to tell me that it’s okay to like Koren.”
“Me either,” Blythe put in. “I’d like to think after all that time on the streets, I’m a pretty good judge of character. And let’s face it, none of us liked Jen from the start.”
Koren kind of felt like she was listening in on a conversation she shouldn’t be.
“Koren was super nice to me the first time I met her in the store. These asshats did what asshats do, made fun of my birthmark, and she was quick with a nice word. And believe me, I needed it that day,” Quinn said.