Page 13 of Protecting Andie

“Tell me, are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I don’t want this to derail your wedding week.”

Emily pushed a strand of Andie’s hair out of her face, frowning as her bruised cheek was revealed. “Honey, you’re an amazing friend, and though this is horrible, it won’t ruin my wedding week. We’re going to have fun and enjoy the week together. That asshole can’t take this from us. We’ll survive and even thrive. Trust me, Tony may have meant to ruin you, but we’ll bounce back and make it even better.”

She pulled Emily into a hug, tears filling her eyes. “This is why you’re my best friend. I love you. You and Derik deserve all the happiness in the world.”

They both sat back, and Emily’s lips curved up into a smile as if she were amused. “I saw the way my brother took your hand.”

More heat poured through Andie. “I’m sure he was just trying to be nice.”

Emily chuckled before getting up to make herself a cup of coffee. “I’m getting my nails done today. Did you choose that service?”

“I did. They are supposed to have two nail techs, so maybe we’ll be in there at the same time.”

She had been looking forward to this spa day for months, and she wasn’t going to allow Tony to ruin it. She would focus on Emily and fun. Though Rider had left, he’d made sure she would be safe. She appreciated how thoughtful he was. She was sure he’d done it to keep Emily safe and not for her benefit. There was nothing between them, and she needed to remember that fact this week because they would be spending most of their time together after today.

8

Rider did his best to focus on fishing and having a good time with Derik, but he didn’t breathe easier until they were close to the coast and back in cell service range. He knew Cassandra could handle anything. She was a badass. Though he’d saved her from attack when they’d been stationed on the same ship, he knew she could handle herself.

“No messages?” Derik asked as he moved behind him.

Rider shook his head. “No. That means everything is going well.”

“I can’t believe her ex is doing this. She dumped Tony months ago, but he hasn’t been able to find her. I gotta tell you, when she left the jerk, Emily was really worried. In just a few short months of them dating, that bastard changed Andie. She tried to recover, but she’s still different, nowhere near as secure as she was before.”

“You knew her before that jerk?”

Derik nodded. “Yes. She was very lively and bubbly. Always fun, happy, a ray of sunshine. But that jerk did a number on her. She is much more self-conscious. She tries to hide it, but when the mask slips, you can see the pain.”

Rider rubbed his jaw and shook his head. “I shouldn’t get involved.”

“Ha, I knew it!” Derik pumped his fist in the air. “Emily owes me five dollars.”

Rider’s mouth fell open. “You bet on us?”

“Well, on you. I made a bet with Emily after seeing you two together the first time. It was very obvious.”

Rider shook his head. “Was I really that obvious?”

Derik shrugged. “To me, sure.”

“There’s no way it would work. I live in San Diego.”

“She could move.”

“But Emily is here, and I doubt she would want to move for me.”

Derik shook his head. “We weren’t saying anything until after the wedding. Andie knows, but no one else. We’re moving to New York. Emily got a new job. She starts two weeks after we get back from our honeymoon.”

“Oh, wow. I had no idea. What about your job?”

“I work remotely. They don’t care where I am. As long as I get my job done, they’re happy. And the position is one Emily wants. She’s moving up fast.”

“Wow, I’m happy for you two. That’s great.”

The fishing boat they were on pulled into the marina and up to the dock. The captain and his crew member tied them off and came over to shake their hand. Because they were staying at the hotel, the fish they’d caught would be given to a restaurant that had free dining for the homeless. He was glad it wouldn’t go unused.

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