Galilee Rising(19)

"What?" He turns around, and when he spots me, his mouth opens a little. "Oh, shit. Sorry," he says, standing.

"No worries."

"Joanna, Brendan. Brendan, Joanna," Lexie says.

He walks over to shake my hand. I'm a dwarf beside him. "Nice to meet you," he says. "Lexie's been sitting outside for hours waiting for you to show up."

"I was working on my tan, thank you very much," Lexie says.

"Yeah, right. I told you to just call." He returns his attention to me. "She's very impressed by you."

"Why?" I ask.

"You saved all those women," she says, rounding the couch to reach us. "I mean, I didn't see it or anything because I was cowering in the bathroom, but I heard all about it!"

"I really didn't do anything," I say. "It was mostly Lady Liberty. I just disarmed KitKat."

"Even still. You ran into that room to help your friend. That's huge. That alone makes you a hero."

"Or a moron," I counter.

"You should know there's nothing you can say to change her mind," Brendan says, wrapping his arm around his wife's tiny waist. "Once she's made it up, you're doomed."

"Doomed you, babe," she says with a smile. He leans in to give her cheek a peck. If they start making out again I am so out of here. She looks at me. "Sorry. We're shameless."

"It's okay."

"Bren, can you go get that fruit salad in the fridge? I'm starving."

"Be right back," he says before leaving.

Lexie grabs my hand and yanks me toward the couch. "Sorry, I'm totally kidnapping you right now. I am dying for girl talk, and you are the only person in this godforsaken city I even remotely like." We sit on the couch. "So, new best friend, what on earth possessed you to run into that room the other day? I mean, I know a little about your history, but still. You must really like that Bitsy woman."

"I guess. I didn't really think about it."

"So you're just one of those insanely brave people who run into burning buildings to save people. I so admire that."

I sip my water. "Well, you got the insane part right at least."

She falls back in the sofa. "You're being modest. Admit it, you rule. Hell, if half the crap I heard you went through last year is true, I'm shocked you're not in a padded cell. Kidnapped twice, getting shot at, watching your best friend die, that's like a lot." She licks her lips. "I knew him, you know. Justin. We met him at a few parties through the years. He was quite a guy."

"Yes," I say, gazing down.

I drink my water. I know what the next question is. "Did you know?" I always say, "How could I not?" and excuse myself.

Instead, she asks, "Are you still in love with him?" I almost choke on the water, coughing it all up onto my shirt. Lexie gasps and reaches across to get me a tissue. "Oh, crap. I am so sorry! Me and my damn mouth! Brendan's always telling me I have no filter. It's just that someone told me you were crazy in love with him for decades. I totally get why, he was a major babe. I can't even imagine what that must have been like for you. I guess you'll always love him, huh?"

I have no idea what to say. "I-I suppose."

"I get that. If something happened to Brendan, I'd never get over it. Widow's weeds for life. And I look dreadful in black."

"Are my ears burning?" Brendan asks as he walks in. He has two bowls of cut up fruit and forks. "You surviving the Spanish Inquisition there, Jo?"

"She hasn't strangled me yet, so that's a good sign."

He kisses the top of Lexie's head. "It's early yet, babe."

"Oh, go away."

"I live to serve." He kisses her again. "Nice to meet you, Jo. I have a feeling we'll be seeing a lot more of each other. Scream if you need back-up."

"Pretty sure she can take me, babe." We watch as he walks out. "Hot, isn't he? You can bounce a quarter off his ass. Literally."

O-kay. I clear my throat. "So, how long have you two been married?"

"A little over three years. We were friends for about a year, lovers for another after that, then made it official. I mean, we drive each other nuts, but that's part of the fun."

"You seem very much in love," I say, eating a piece of cantaloupe.

"Love of my life. No question." She shifts on the couch. "So, what about you? Your heart healed enough to let someone in yet? Got your eye on anyone?"

I gaze down at the fruit. "No. Not really."

She examines me, then laughs. "You are so lying! I can tell. My bullcrap detector is never wrong. Drives Brendan nuts. So, who is he? Is he handsome? Is he a playboy? Lawyer? Maybe a doctor?" My grip on the fork tightens. "Oh, a doctor! Nice. So, what's his name? Is he cute? Have you gone on a date yet?"