Page 28 of Saving Sarah (Blissful Bets)

Gavin slid the picture back in his wallet. “Don’t be. I get to see my daughter when I choose. Plus, I have Sarah.”

Devon nodded, agreeing. Not wanting to waste any time, Gavin stood. “I need you to drop me off at her office. Someone needs to be there, and since I haven’t really gotten to see her, I would like to be the one.”

“Of course, but do you really think she’s going to want someone tagging along while she’s trying to do her job?”

Gavin raised his eyebrow. “I don’t think she really has an option. It’s that, or I’m throwing her over my shoulder and bringing her home. There’s no way I’m risking anyone catching her alone.”

“I like the way you think.” Devon smiled at him and grabbed his keys. “So, where are we going?”

Gavin’s eyes widened. “I don’t know. I thought you’d have a better idea where her office was considering this is where you’re from. I guess I can call her.”

“I have her phone, and she has mine. I’ll look through her numbers and maybe call Evelyn or Stephen. They’ll give us the address.”

Gavin followed Devon outside and got into his truck. The sound of the loud diesel felt oddly fitting for a place like this. He looked around at the palm trees and the seagulls flying in the gray sky. He never felt more at home. Now, once they found Sarah, he’d feel even better.

Chapter 13

If Sarah played one more game on her computer, she’d scream. Looking at her watch, she grabbed her purse, ready to meet her friends for their daily lunch ritual. Evelyn hadn’t come into work today, and Melissa was out showing a house, so she called explaining she might be a little late. Julie and Natalie were already on their way.

“If I have any calls, just take a message. I don’t have my phone on me today,” Sarah said, stopping at the receptionist’s desk.

“Will do, honey.”

The older woman smiled as Sarah grabbed a peppermint out of the woven basket on the counter and waved goodbye. Stunned, Sarah stopped and stared. Devon and Gavin leaned against the truck, both looking good enough to eat. She smiled at the warmth crossing their faces and walked to meet them.

The heels of her stilettos clicked against the sidewalk as she slowed her pace. It wouldn’t look too good if she acted as excited as she felt.

“What are you both doing here? I thought you’d be off doing… guy things.” What exactly they’d be doing she couldn’t imagine, but her guess consisted of them being together. She needed the bonding to happen quickly. Every minute without feeling their presence ate away at her until she felt the compulsion to rush home to see them.

“Well, Stephen stopped by.” Devon didn’t say anymore. She noticed how he studied her face.

“And? What did he say?”

“We’re at a dead end. The car didn’t reveal anything.” “

Oh, so what does that mean?”

The guys looked at each other and then looked back at her. “I’m going to spend the rest of the day with you until you’ve finished work.”

“Oh no you’re not,” Sarah laughed, shaking her head no.

Gavin’s eyes narrowed, but the smile remained.

“Yes…I am. With Tom still on the loose, I’m not risking leaving you alone. Either I can stay with you at the office or you can call an early day, but it’s your choice.”

Sarah turned to Devon, who raised his hands in surrender. “You’re kidding me, right? You can’t be serious.”

“I’m dead serious.”

Gavin walked over, dropping his head. “Sarah, please don’t make this harder than it has to be. I want to keep you safe. Please allow me to do that. If something happened to you, Devon and I would never forgive ourselves.”

Placing her hands on her hips, she tilted her head, maintaining eye contact. “Is this just for today, or are we talking about tomorrow and the next day and the day after that?”

“For as long as it takes,” Devon said, coming up beside them. “Sarah, I’m not going to pretend you’re not pissed right now. I know the temper you keep hidden but do us a favor and think about this. There’s a man who’s after you. He knows where you live and probably where you work. He’s seen your car, and more than likely, he’s waiting to make his next move. You possibly might not be the only target. If he saw you with your friends, they’re at risk, too. Why do you think Stephen kept Evelyn home today?”

Shaken, Sarah let the words sink in. It was one thing to assume everything would be fine, but the situation changed when she thought her friends might be at risk.

“All right,” she whispered. “Fine, you both can take turns coming to work with me, but right now, I’m headed to lunch with the girls. I’m assuming that means Gavin’s coming with me so why don’t you follow us, and we’ll all have lunch together? You can get to know my friends. They’re a big part of my life, so I guess you’ve just inherited them, too.”

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