Page 36 of Rescuing Sophia

As we talk, Max settles at Carter’s feet. His watchful gaze never leaves Jenna.

“Yeah, they’re something else. Where did they put you up?” Jenna’s tone is warm and friendly.

“One of the dorms. It’s a whole apartment.”

“Have you thought about helping out at the shop?”

“I don’t know if I can help. I know nothing about coffee.”

“She’s right about that.” Blake chuckles. “Her coffee is foul, with a capital F.”

Jenna laughs. “I’ll teach you everything you need to know. I thought it might give you something to do rather than sitting around all day twiddling your thumbs.” She pauses, her expression softening. “Not that you have to, of course. I just… I thought it might be nice. For both of us. We could hang out and catch up.”

Her smile falters slightly, a shadow passing over her face as she realizes what she said. The memories I’d share aren’t pleasant ones.

“Thanks. I’d like that. Maybe we can make new memories instead of revisiting the past.” I force a small, reassuring smile, hoping to ease the tension.

“Then it’s done.” Jenna beams at me, relief evident in her tone. “Wonderful. Oh, and I wanted to invite all of you to the grand opening next week.” She turns her attention to the men.

“Guardian HRS moves fast.” Blake raises an eyebrow in surprise. “One week? You’ve only been here a few days.”

“This place does move fast, but Jenna moves faster.” Carter grins, reaching down to scratch Max behind the ears. “Once she sets her mind to something, there’s no stopping her.”

“It’ll be nice to have decent coffee around here for a change,” Gabe quips. “Any chance you’ll be serving your amazing blueberry muffins?”

“Blueberries have no business being in muffins,” Walt argues good-naturedly. “Do you make any with chocolate chips?”

“I do,” Jenna replies, her smile widening at the team’s enthusiasm. “They’re just as good as the blueberry ones, but I make scones, not muffins.”

The table erupts in laughter, and Max’s tail thumps against the floor, picking up on the jovial mood. As Jenna interacts with the team, her resilience amazes me.

A part of me aches for the life I could have had and the friendships I could have formed if my life had turned out differently—if I had been able to escape the way Jenna did.

As the conversation flows, I sit back and observe the group dynamics. Blake and Carter, so similar yet so different, share a shorthand language born of a lifetime together. Jenna, once a victim like me, radiates a quiet strength. And Max, ever-vigilant, is a constant reminder of the dangers lurking around the corner.

Max’s ears perk up at the mention of food as the conversation circles around favorite pastries and coffee blends. Carter slips him a small treat, earning a gentle nudge from the dog’s nose.

I lean back, taking it all in. The warmth of community, the easy affection between friends, even Max’s loyal presence—it’s everything I’ve ever wanted.

It’s the worst form of torture—showing me what my life could be like while knowing it’s something I can never have.

Ethan stands, clapping his hands to gather everyone’s attention. “Alright, folks, time to wrap it up. We’ve got a training exercise at the range. Let’s get moving.”

The team responds with groans and laughter. Everyone gathers their plates and busses the table. The camaraderie is palpable, the playful banter underscored by a shared sense of purpose.

“I’ve got to head out.”Blake’s hand finds the small of my back, his touch both comforting and unsettling.“We’re training at the range today.”

A flicker of disappointment crosses my face before I can hide it. Blake’s brow furrows with concern.

Rigel’s eyes light up. “Hey, if you’re interested in checking out some of that tech we mentioned, you could always drop in on Mitzy. She loves showing off her cool toys.”

Blake scratches his head, furrowing his brow. “I guess I could take her there, maybe after lunch?”

“She can come with us,” Carter says. “Jenna and I are headed there.”

Blake’s eyes find mine, searching. “What do you want to do?”

I pause, the question hanging heavy between us. The weight ofmaking my own decision, a simple choice, is as thrilling as it is terrifying.

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