Page 63 of Too Much In Common
Pollyanna tugged on Dana’s towel. “There are no drinks allowed in the pool area.”
Chris forced all of his face muscles not to react. He couldn’t wait to tell Tian the joke, but by the time he was relieved from duty that night it was too late to call her.
Chris: Sweet dreams. Hope to catch you tomorrow.
* * *
Tian didn’t miss Chris her first day back. She was too busy taking catnaps, trying to get her body over the two all-night flights and change in weather. The second day, she had an early morning self-defense class with Abbie at the estate. Abbie complimented her on her practicing and her practical use. Another former bodyguard, Deidre, joined them.
Deidre demonstrated a move that would down an attacker. “Most attackers are not thinking offensively. Given your stature, they won’t expect you to pull them anyplace—especially closer. After physics, surprise is your best friend.”
“Don’t try to use this move if someone is standing. You need to use their momentum,” said Abbie, and she demonstrated on her brother Alex.
“I could stand here all day and my sister would never move me.”
“True, unless I tickled him. But he’d get me back.” Abbie pushed her brother’s shoulder to prove he had a steady stance.
“Ready to try?” asked Deidre.
Tian appraised Alex. He was taller and broader than Chris by the slightest margins. “How will it work when he’s expecting it?”
“I know I am practicing with you, and I remember how it was the first time Abbie took me down. I try to go with that, not making it too easy.”
Abbie folded her arms. “After all these years Alex has come up with several counter moves; however, it’s unlikely that your average assailant has learned them.”
“Okay, then let’s try this.”
Three tries later, Alex sat on the mat. “Good job. You would’ve had me the second time if your left hand had been higher.”
Abbie and Deidre high fived each other and Tian.
“If you ever want to switch careers, I could train you,” said Abbie. “With your height and build...”
“No, thanks. I love flying.” Although there are some aspects of the job she wished she didn’t have to put up with.
Alex gathered his things. “I’ll see you later. Are we practicing again?”
“I don’t fly until the thirteenth, so if anyone can, my schedule is open. As long as I can fit in some simulator time.”
Abbie scrolled through her phone. “I thought you were dating Chris Johnson. Don’t you have plans with him?”
“He’s in Seattle.” Tian’s answer meshed with Alex’s.
Alex continued, “He should be home Saturday afternoon.”
News to Tian.
“What about Friday at noon?” asked Abbie.
Everyone agreed on the time, and Alex took off.
“Do you have time for breakfast? Deidre is staying.”
Tian looked from one woman to the other to decide Abbie’s invitation was genuine before answering. She wished she’d brought another shirt, but the offer seemed sincere.
“Sure.”
Abbie led them into what Tian could only call a breakfast room, not that she’d ever been in one. A house as large as this one had to have a formal dining room, and this was much too small.
