“I’m safe.”
Aspen frowned. Callie hadn’t really answered the question, and they both knew it.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t here.” Aspen pushed back a lock of hair from Callie’s face. “I should have come over like you offered, not gone out. God, I was at thebarwhen you were almost kidnapped. I’m an awful friend.”
“No, you’re not. I’m glad you weren’t here. You were safe at Meridian, and that’s the most important thing.”
“That’s not the most important thing. Your safety is important too. I’m glad Lock got to you in time to scare the guy away.”
“Me too.”
Antwan cleared his throat. “You’re really okay?”
She looked at him. “Better than I should be.”
“Any idea who it was?” he asked.
“No. Lock didn’t catch the guy, and he was wearing a balaclava, so he couldn’t see his face. He was also driving a stolen car.”
“Argh. That makes me so angry!” Aspen shouted. “I hate men. Hate, hate, hate,hatethem!”
“Hey! I’m a man, and you don’t hate me,” Jesse said, coming out from the hall with a grin on his face.
Aspen lifted her brows. “I don’t hate younow… There’s still time.”
He playfully shoved Aspen’s shoulder before turning toward Callie. “It’s good to see you looking better.”
He hugged her, and she returned the hug, grateful he hadn’t asked her if she was okay like everyone else.
When he passed Aspen, he grazed her side, and she smiled asshegavehima big shove. The dynamic between the two of them almost made Callie smile.
“All right, we need you two to clear out so Callie and I can have a one-on-one,” Aspen declared.
Jesse filled a glass with water. “I feel excluded.”
“You can feel whatever you want. You still need to get out.”
Antwan straightened. “Come on, man, let’s go out front and cut that wood Lock’s been bitching about.”
Jesse met her gaze. “We’ll stay close.”
She nodded. She knew they would.
Before they left, Antwan stopped in front of her and hugged her. “I’m glad you’re safe.”
She pulled back and nodded. “Thank you.”
As the two guys left through the front door, she saw Aspen frowning at them. Was her friend frowning at Antwan or Jesse? Probably Jesse. There was something going on there, even if she refused to admit it.
The door closed, and Callie stepped closer, touching her friend’s hand. “How areyou?”
Aspen’s head whipped around. “Me?”
“Yes, you. Have you seen Dylan lately? And how’s your mom?”
Aspen swallowed, her cheeks losing a bit of their color. “I see him every so often. Then I turn straight around and go the other way.” There was strain in her friend’s voice.
“I’m sorry.”
