Scars Of The Past || Jerrie

Twenty-One

Jade

      "Hello. My name is Karla Hayes, and I'm trying to reach Jade Thirlwall. I'm writing a book about female soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Obviously I think you've got an amazing story and no doubt have a very interesting perspective on the role of women in the military, their participation in combat, and the issue of acceptance by your male counterparts. I'd love to interview you for the book, if you're willing. I know you haven't done any interviews before and I totally get that, but I want to assure you that I am taking on this project with the utmost respect for your service. My only goal is to illuminate the challenges women face in war and the roles women play."

Heart pounding, I deleted the message without taking down the phone number Karla Hayes left. I would not return her call. This was the first time someone had contacted me for an interview since I moved to Bodega Bay. How the hell had this woman gotten my cell-phone number? I kept it as private as possible, for exactly this reason.

Now a new fear gnawed at my gut. No matter how nervous I still was about going out in public, I had started to believe that interest in my story was waning. The initial onslaught of media coverage and recognition on the streets had diminished, and the national attention span being what it was, it seemed as though I might be able to live out the rest of my life in obscurity. Logically I knew that one author contacting me was hardly a sign of widespread interest, but emotionally, I all of a sudden felt in the spotlight again.

Right when I was finally moving on with my life and inviting someone else into it. I pocketed my cell phone, sick to my stomach. When I heard a knock on my door, I exhaled shakily. The last thing I wanted right now was to leave my house.

I walked to the front door on legs that felt disconnected, as though I weren't in control of them anymore. Peering through the peephole, I relaxed when I saw Perrie. As much as I didn't want to go out to dinner, I was glad to have her here. I didn't want to be alone with my fears.

"Hey." Her radiant smile faded when she saw my face. "Is everything okay?"

She wore a cable-knit cardigan over a form-fitting top, and for a moment a warm wash of arousal distracted me from my worries. I was staring at her breasts, but I couldn't help it. Now that I had noticed them, I couldn't look away. I remembered grazing the firm flesh with my hand the evening before and shivered.

She put a hand under my chin and lifted my face so our eyes met. She was biting her lip, clearly holding back laughter.

"I'm sorry," I said. "You look amazing."

"Keep staring at me like that and we won't make it to dinner."

I wished like hell we could just stay in and make out. Even the prospect of taking our physical relationship farther made me less nervous than going to the restaurant. "Would that be such a bad thing?"

She closed the distance between us, kissing me softly. "Not bad at all. But I'd love to go out, if you're up for it."

Dizzy from the feeling of her lips against mine, I was ready to agree to anything. "Sure."

"I called ahead and told them we would be bringing Jackson. They've got patio seating with outdoor heaters, so we figured that would work best."

This would be Jackson's first time at a restaurant. Relieved that she had thought to clear everything in advance, I said, "Thank you."

She stepped back and took my hand. Looking me up and down, she murmured, "You look pretty amazing as well, by the way."

I blushed. I didn't own anything dressy, so my jeans and sweater were just shy of casual. But she was being sincere, and I recognized the desire in her eyes. "You're very easily impressed."

She squeezed my hand. "Enough."

I knew I needed to work on my confidence. Self-deprecation wasn't attractive. "No, you're right," I said. "I'm pretty damn hot, if I do say so myself."

"That's more like it. You guys ready?"

I grabbed Jackson's leash off the peg just inside the door and steeled my nerve. Ready or not, I was committed to doing this. For Perrie. "Let's go."

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Hello my lovely readers! So, what do you think? 😇😇

- R xx