Page 68 of Very Special Forces

"It wasstill pizza," I slurred. "We don't order pizza anymore."

"I'llget the door," said Lily, hugging me.

"Youcan't. You're my bridesmaid. You can't get shot!"

"Sit,"ordered Lily, maneuvering me over to the couch. "Deepbreaths."

"I'm notpanicking!" I panicked.

"Closeyour eyes for a moment. Deep breaths, Lexi. Count with me. One...two... three..."

I wasasleep by four.

~

I awokeand stretched, then wriggled. This wasn't my bed. Also, why wasn'tI wearing my pajamas? And from where was the scent of fresh coffeeemanating?

"Goodmorning, sleepyhead," said Solomon. He walked into the living room,wearing the black, hip-hugging jeans I liked best on him and a darkink-blue shirt with the sleeves rolled up. He placed a large cup ofcoffee on the small table next to the couch.

I pushedthe blanket covering me down and shuffled into a sitting position.My head throbbed, my mouth was dry and why did I smell likeraspberries? "Did I fall asleep on the couch?" I asked.

"Itrained you well. Your powers of deduction are second tonone."

"Hah-hah," I said flatly.

"Yes,you passed out."

"Ididn't have that much to drink!" My head, however, told meotherwise.

"Lilysaid you had a rough day."

"Oh."The memory of Bryce trying to coerce sexual favors from me filledmy brain quickly and unpleasantly. I could hardly wait to have thatconversation with Jas. She would be just as appalled as I was buthow badly would it damage her friendship with Julia? What if Juliadidn't believe her? No one wants to believe their fiancé was thatkind of man!

"Lilyfilled me in on what happened. I'm not going to lecture you on whydidn't you come to me, or why you were there alone in the firstplace. It seems like you dealt with everything to the best of yourability."

Ishrugged and reached for the cup.

"Wouldyou like to go to the police department and file charges?" askedSolomon.

"I haveno proof."

"Youthink Montgomery's finest won't take you seriously?" Solomon raisedhis eyebrows.

"I thinkit will become a 'he said, she said' firing match and I have noproof to offer."

"Lilysaid you told her you ran out of the office. Someone will have seenthat and they can be forced to testify."

"Andrisk losing their job? John, nothing happened. I'm fine. Bryce isan asshole who tried to get away with it and I'll make sure he goesdown some other way but I don't think this is it."

Solomontook the cup from me and placed it on the table, then took my handsin his. "Lexi, did he try to force himself on you?"

"No, notexactly. He grabbed me. He made highly suggestive remarks aboutwhat he expected from me in order to get a job at his firm and heunbuttoned his pants. I kneed him in the balls and while he wastemporarily incapacitated, I ran."

"Are yousure that's all?"

I lookedSolomon squarely in the eyes. "If he sexually assaulted me, I wouldtell you. I wouldn't keep quiet about it. It wouldn't be my shameto bear. It would be his."

"That'sright," said Solomon. He squeezed my hands. "I'm glad you're okayand I'm glad Lily made sure you had a good night even if you didturn the living room into a nightclub. You left a very suspiciouslooking stain that smells heavily of alcohol on therug."

---