Falling

by Kris Bryant

  Marisa laughed. “No. Fraud. Boring stuff. We get some exciting cases, but most of the time it’s pretty low key.”

  “Did you always want to be in law enforcement?” Piper asked.

  “Oh, no. Not at all. I wanted to be a teacher,” she said.

  I coughed to hide my laugh. Marisa shot me a look. I held my hands up in surrender as if I didn’t know anything and what I did know, I wasn’t about to share. Jason and Piper smiled at me.

  “Okay, when we were in college, I got into trouble a few times partying too hard,” Marisa said.

  “I tried to stop her, but she wouldn’t listen to me,” I said.

  “You were too busy with your girlfriend to pay any attention to me. What was her name? Christina? Alicia? Kelly?” Marisa grinned.

  “Now you’re just naming judges off The Voice. Her name was Leah. And she was adorable,” I said.

  It was Marisa’s turn to snort. “Anyway, my best friend here didn’t pick up her phone when the cops were calling her to come and get me because she was too busy trying to seduce poor Leah. My drunk ass spent the night in jail. I found the whole process fascinating, so I switched majors and got a criminal justice degree instead.”

  “Not law?” Jason asked.

  Marisa shook her head. “Too much work. I want a life, too.”

  “So, what happened to Leah?” Piper asked.

  “Absolutely nothing. She was one of those girls who wanted a boyfriend and a girlfriend but wanted the girlfriend in private only. I wasn’t down with that. But damn, did I try. If nothing else, I was persistent.”

  “Were you going to school to be a teacher, too?” Jason asked.

  “No, I got a business degree. I didn’t know for sure what I wanted to do, but I knew I wanted to make money. I got into commercial real estate after getting a job as a marketing director for a small real estate company in Colorado Springs. The rest is history.” Success was addictive. I sacrificed a lot to have nice things.

  “What about you, Piper?”

  “I love my studio. It’s very relaxing and I have a nice client base. We have classes for beginners and even professional-level classes.”

  “Do you have a staff?” I asked.

  “I have four instructors and a part-time clerical worker who helps with memberships and general accounting work.”

  “That’s impressive,” Marisa said.

  When the bill arrived, Jason took it and paid. I fought him, but he was insistent. “It’s my treat.”

  We all objected, but he handed his credit card to the waitress first.

  “Thank you for including me tonight. I know the circumstances were awful, but it’s nice to find good out of the bad,” Piper said.

  I touched her arm. “Thank you for coming. I’m very sorry for your loss.”

  She smiled sadly and nodded. “Thank you.”

  I expected my good-bye hug with Jason to be emotional, but my hug with Piper surprised me. I didn’t want to feel anything when I held her to my body, but a warm tingling sensation washed over me and I ended the hug quickly.

  “If you need anything or just want to talk, please give me a call.” I couldn’t believe I was handing Piper my business card, but I told myself it was strictly because she needed a friend who understood her situation. Marisa and I watched her slip into her car and drive away.

  “Well, this was an interesting night,” Marisa said.

  “Yeah, you gushed over Jason.”

  “Really? Because I’m pretty sure you just hit on a woman who just lost her girlfriend in a very tragic way.”

  I sighed. “You mean her fiancée, and I wasn’t hitting on her. I just feel terrible for her. I can’t imagine losing somebody so violently.”

  Marisa put her arm around me and walked me to her car. “I’m so thankful you’re still here. We still have too much trouble to get into. Maybe not like before, but definite trouble.” She opened the door for me and carefully shut it after I was safely inside.

  “You never said anything about Jason. What did you think about him?” I asked when she got in the car.

  She stared at me for a few moments, then sighed. “I was going to say he seemed genuine and play it off, but he’s sexy as hell and has an incredible body. I would go out with him, but he lives too far away.”

  “It’s less than a two-hour drive. Totally doable. And he’s really nice. Maybe we could take a weekend and go visit the ranch.”

  Marisa held up her hand. “Okay, let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. He hasn’t invited us and we don’t know that he’s even interested in me.”

  “Cut the crap. You’re perfect. My mother is still trying to hook us up even though I tell her all the time that you bat for the wrong team.”

  “Trust me, if I wasn’t so straight, your mom could have planned our wedding years ago.” She squeezed my hand.

  “I love you. One day we’ll find people worthy of us. One of us sooner than the other.” I squeezed her back.

  Chapter Five

  “If you think I’m getting on a plane anytime soon, you are fucking crazy.” I enunciated each word to ensure Brittany got my message loud and clear.

  “Look, I know you had a bad experience, but you’re on the schedule and it’s not fair to the team if you skip it again. And isn’t the best way to overcome a bad experience to jump right back in?” she asked.

  I stood and leaned forward, my fingers splayed on the mahogany conference room table. “Bad experience? I didn’t fall off a bicycle. I don’t think what anybody here has on their schedule is more important than my recovery. So find someone else.”

  “Brittany, I can go.” Peter Curtis stood and faced Brittany.

  “Peter, you are busy enough. We need you to scope out areas along the Platte River. And find out why Boulder Real Estate is interested in properties in Todd Creek,” she said.

  “I’m sure Shaylie can handle that. I’ll attend the conference and give the speech. It’s no problem.” He looked at me and winked. We weren’t great friends, but we respected one another and he had basic human compassion. Brittany acted as if the plane crash was an inconvenience.

  “That sounds like a good solution. If there’s nothing else, let’s get this week started.” Travis, the owner of Mountain View Commercial Real Estate, squelched any further discussion.

  “Thank you, Travis.” I gathered my notebook and stormed out of the room.

  “Shaylie, your lawyer’s office called again. They said you weren’t answering your cell phone.” Ginny, our receptionist, had zero discretion. Everyone turned and looked at me.

  “Thanks, Ginny. Next time, just email me my messages and try not to share with the entire office.” I didn’t even make eye contact with her. I just marched by and straight into my office. I shut the door with enough force to let everyone know I was not to be bothered. Instead of sitting and relaxing, I paced the tiny office. Why would Brittany even think I would be willing to get on a plane? It had only been six weeks since the crash. I still cringed when I heard cars brake harshly in traffic.

  My cell phone dinged. It was my lawyer, Charles Tern. He was anxious to sue the airline and wanted me on board. I didn’t care. I didn’t want or need their money. He wanted to at least get my health deductible back. Legally, he couldn’t file any lawsuits for forty-five days, but we were getting close. Piper’s face flashed into my mind and I wondered how she was doing.

  I texted him. I was in a meeting. I think we should wait and see what the airline finds out before we do anything.

  Tern and Associates had contacted me as soon as they learned my name. I was certain Charles had contacted other survivors as well. He taught me more about passenger rights than I wanted to know. If the plane crashed because of mechanical issues, then the airlines tried to settle. Charles was banking on it being mechanical since they already narrowed it down to an issue with the left engine and had a list of fabricators to sue once the FAA ruled the official cause. I really didn’t feel the need. I was just grateful I
got out of there alive with scars I could live with.

  My phone buzzed with a message back. I’ll call you later in the week to schedule a time to come out there and meet with you.

  I tossed my phone on the desk. I just wanted to move forward and forget about everything. I sat and pulled up my email. Peter had forwarded me the addresses I was going to scope out for him. I thanked him for taking over the conference and for understanding. I printed the list and grabbed my purse. I was going to be out the rest of the day. Thank God, because if I had to listen to Brittany’s grating voice one more time, I was going to snap. Today wasn’t pretty, but I’d kept my anger in check. She didn’t want to see my fury unleashed. I knew I wasn’t in danger of termination, but seriously, who would fire a plane crash survivor because she didn’t want to fly?

  “Ginny, I’m gone for the day. Please text me if something important comes up,” I said on my way out the door. I didn’t even wait for a response. I slipped into my Audi and plugged in the first address on the list. I didn’t get far before my phone rang.

  “Hey, sexy. Tell me something good. I’m having a shitty morning.” I was happy Marisa was calling because she always put me in a good mood.

  “I have a date. How’s that for something good?” Marisa sounded happy.

  I gasped a little, my excitement about matchmaking diminishing my bad mood. “Please tell me it’s with Jason.”

  “It is with Jason. We talked for a few hours last night and decided to get together Wednesday night. He is driving down to sign some papers.” She sounded like she was smiling.

  “I’m so happy for you. Where are you going?” In my head, I was planning the date. I knew the restaurant, I knew what she was going to wear, and I knew what kind of gentleman he would be with her.

  “We’re going to catch the rodeo.”

  “Well, that’s not the princess date I had figured out in my mind.” I sighed audibly to let her know I was disappointed.

  “Everybody loves barrel racing and bull riding. And just so you know, I’m picking him up,” she said.

  “Chivalry is dead. Why do I get the feeling that you instigated this whole thing?”

  “As a matter of fact, I did. I won tickets at a raffle at work and invited him. We’ll just grab barbecue or something there.”

  “Who are you and what did you do with the real Marisa?” This was a new side of her that intrigued me. Marisa liked to be wined and dined. A rodeo wasn’t something she was into.

  “To be fair, I thought of you first, but then Jason called me and it just seemed so…” She paused. “So perfect.”

  “What’s more American than a cowboy and a rodeo? You’ll have fun and I’ll expect a play-by-play, especially if there are other things that involve ropes,” I said.

  “Don’t be weird. He’s going to drive back Wednesday night and no, I’m not going to invite him to stay. I’m not that kind of girl.”

  We both laughed at that lie. I was happy for Marisa. Not that I expected a happy ending for them, but at least she was giving it a try. I was forever going to be rooting for Jason.

  “I’m headed out to check out a few neighborhoods we might broker or invest in. Get this, Brittany still wanted me to fly to Washington to give the presentation this week. Fly.” I still couldn’t believe it. When I didn’t show up for work on Monday after the crash because I was in the hospital, Brittany called Marisa because she was my emergency contact and bitched at her. Marisa hung up on her. She made the fifteen-minute drive to the office in ten minutes and stormed through the place until she found Brittany. I wish I could have seen Brittany’s face when Marisa slammed the door to Brittany’s office and unleashed.

  “Does she need another visit from me?”

  “No. She knew I wasn’t happy. Peter’s going instead. We switched jobs for the week. And I’m not going back to the office today, so if you’re free later this afternoon, let’s get together for dinner or drinks.”

  “Or both,” she said.

  “Definitely both.”

  * * *

  The neighborhood was charming, or at least had the potential to be. There were a few empty industrial buildings that could be converted into condominium lofts or zoned into small businesses with the right designer and the right money. I drove around to get a feel for the community and spotted a tiny coffee shop, Peak Brew, at the corner with an incredible parking lot. If this place boomed, they could charge a fortune for parking and people would gladly pay. I parked and took a few pictures of the occupied and unoccupied buildings to show Peter. I slipped into the coffee shop and immediately smiled at the décor and ambience. It was exactly what I expected, only better.

  “Welcome to Peak. What can I get you?” A cute barista with long hair and the bluest eyes I’d ever seen smiled at me and waited for me to make a decision.

  I looked up at the menu chalked above her head and ordered a small latte and a biscotti. I found a bistro table in front of a window and placed my suit jacket on the back of the chair as I waited for her to prep my order. The sweet, delicious smell of cinnamon and blueberries filled the shop and made me smile in comfort.

  “How long has Peak Brew been here?” I asked when she delivered my coffee and cookie.

  “About two years.”

  “Is it your place?”

  “My parents own it, but I run it. They are too busy with their art to be bothered with a business.” She pointed to some of the artwork on the walls.

  “They’re really good,” I said and meant it. Oranges, reds, and blues complemented the reddish-brown brick walls. Her parents had different styles. Half the pieces were abstract with large, confident brush strokes, while the remainder had a more delicate touch and muted colors. She shrugged but thanked me for the compliment. I watched as she hurried off to wait on a couple huddled in a corner. I dunked the biscotti in my coffee, but stopped before I took a bite. Piper Cole walked through the front door. I stood out of sheer surprise. My movements caught her eye and she shot me the sweetest smile. I couldn’t help but grin back.

  “Hi, Shaylie.” She surprised me by hugging me. I cursed my body for feeling a tingle at her closeness.

  “Piper. Hi. What are you doing here?” I offered her the chair across from me.

  “My studio is across the street. I come in here at break to rejuvenate and caffeinate as needed. How are you?” She squeezed my hand.

  “I’m great.” I lifted my wrist to show her it was free of the confining cast.

  She gently brushed her fingertips across the thin pink scar above my eyebrow. It was still sensitive to the touch. The fact that she was completely in my personal space and her fingers were on my face derailed me. I tried not to jump, but my body betrayed me.

  “I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?”

  I shook my head and gave her a weak smile. Chills raced across my body and I struggled to hold in the shiver. “No, it’s just a little tender still. I hate it.” I didn’t want to sound vain, but the scar was the first thing people saw on me.

  “Don’t hate it. It doesn’t take away from your beauty at all. It tells a story. You’re a survivor and you should wear it like a badge,” she said.

  The barista brought over a cup of tea that I didn’t hear Piper order. She took a sip.

  “Thank you, but I feel like it’s the first thing people notice about me lately.” I touched it gingerly.

  “The first thing people notice about you is everything else.” She took another sip while she stared at me contemplatively.

  I forced myself to maintain eye contact. I knew she was only being friendly, but it was so easy to take it the wrong way. She wasn’t interested in me. She’d just lost half of her heart and was far from recovery.

  “The scar on my knee is even worse. So much for wearing shorts this summer.” I tried to change the subject because I didn’t want her to know I found her attractive. She was off-limits.

  “Your doctor did a really good job. The stitches on your forehead are almost perfect and will only
leave a slight line. We all know scars are sexy,” Piper said.

  Again, not flirting, just being nice. “You’re too sweet. So, how are you doing?” I picked up my own cup, but waited to take a sip until she started talking.

  “I’m doing okay. Not great, but better. The services we had were wonderful.” She got lost in that memory for a moment before she came back to the conversation.

  “I’m sure everything was beautiful. I hope it allowed you to have some closure,” I said.

  “Talking to you really helped the healing process. Thank you again for that and for introducing me to your friends. They seem very nice.”

  I leaned forward and smiled. “Can you keep a secret?”

  She leaned forward, too. “Definitely.”

  “I’m playing matchmaker with those two. Jason and Marisa. I think they have a lot in common and would be good for one another.” I sat back, crossed my arms, and stared at her like I’d just shared the biggest secret of my life.

  “But very different lifestyles,” she said.

  “Opposites attract.” I winked. Stop flirting, I scolded myself. “I mean, a cowboy and a cop. That’s got to be all-American on some level, right?”

  “I think it’s nice that you’re looking out for your friends and that you and Jason are close because of what happened.”

  “I just want everyone to be happy, I guess.”

  “What about you? Tell me more about Shaylie. I only know a few things. What brings you out here on a Monday?” she asked.

  “Just looking at the area for another agent on our team. My boss had me scheduled to fly to Washington this week. Needless to say, I said no.”

  Piper set her cup down with enough force that it clanked against the saucer. “You’re kidding, right? I mean, I’m sure like one or two people can turn around and get right back on a plane, but that’s completely ridiculous.” Her brow furrowed in dismay. I almost smiled at her fierceness. Piper was a passionate person.

  “A guy in my office offered to switch tasks for the week, so that’s why I’m here looking around and he’s giving the presentation.”