Operation Endurance

CHAPTER 27

The next day, Chris was working in the office for a few hours while Julie napped when Colton cornered him. “Was Julie okay last night? Penelope said something seemed off with her toward the end of the evening.”

He wouldn’t break Julie’s confidence by spilling about her breakdown in the bedroom. “She’s just wiped out. Everything in the last few months has finally caught up with her and it’s going to take a little bit before she’s fully recovered.”

Colton gave a sharp nod. “That makes sense, but you need to tell us if it becomes something more. We all love her and want to be there for her, too.”

“Thanks, Colt. I’ll let her know.”

They stood in the reception area and Toni handed a file to Colton for him to sign before turning to Chris. “I plan to bring y’all dinner tonight. I haven’t gotten to see Julie since she got out of the hospital. I’ll give you a break for a little bit and buy us some girl time.”

He nodded. “That would be good. Julie would enjoy seeing you. Thanks, Toni.”

She began to walk away before she turned back around, “Oh and Colton, the guy called to verify they definitely want to use Mad Rob for that late flight on Wednesday.”

“Sounds good. Thanks, Toni. Can you bring that paperwork into my office in just a minute so I can make sure that we’ve covered all of their requests?



* * *



After dinner that night, Toni and Julie were hanging out in her living room. Toni said she didn’t cook, but she had obviously mastered the art of take-out. She’d brought an amazing dinner of almond crusted salmon with pomegranate glaze on a bed of raw spinach salad. It had been perfect. They’d all three thoroughly enjoyed eating it, but then Chris disappeared to allow the girls some private time.

Julie snuggled into the couch under the blanket. “So, tell me what’s going on between you and Pete. Are you still going out? I haven’t had a chance to catch up since the wedding and you two looked very cozy there.”

She nodded with a sweet little shy smile. “We’ve gone out a few times since then. He’s just such a sweetheart and the perfect gentleman. He hasn’t even tried to make a move on me yet besides a single goodnight kiss, even though I’ve tried to send him signals that I’d be open to more.”

Julie waggled her eyebrows at Toni. “Oh, really?”

“Well, of course. Have you seen the guy? He’s super-hot. Who wouldn’t want to tap that?”

Julie laughed. “Are you sure you’re not a guy?”

“Like I haven’t heard that before.” Toni grimaced. “I think in this relationship, I definitely am. I want in the guy’s pants. Desperately. It’s been entirely too long of a dry spell and there’s only so much that B.O.B. can do for me.”

Julie giggled. “So what is he up to tonight?”

“Detective Barnes has him working late on the rapist case.”

“Have there been any more attacks?”

“I think there was one over the weekend, but he isn’t allowed to talk to me about it, so I just kind of have to go by his work load to know when something is going down. His hours seem incredibly erratic. I had no idea cops worked such different hours every day.”

Julie frowned. “Hmm, they usually don’t at Pete’s level, but I know they really want to catch this guy so that may affect the way they normally do things. I hate it when they have to work long hours. I worry that exhaustion will cause them to make a mistake. So much of what they do could turn dangerous so easily.”

At Toni’s worried look, Julie winced. “I’m sorry, Toni. I don’t mean to scare you. It’s been a long year, so I tend to look at the negative side of things. Ignore me.”

“Okay, let’s go with positive things. Enlighten me. You and Chris?”

Julie ducked her head. What could she say? There were moments when it seemed like there was something there, but then others when it seemed like Chris was just a friend. They’d shared a few kisses, but they’d never developed into anything more. She didn’t know what to think anymore. Aaron told her everything happened for a reason. She was just trying to hold onto that, but having Chris live with her in her house? Geez, this was a special kind of torture. She wanted more and wanting was dangerous.

“Julie?” Toni prompted.

“Sorry, I must be getting tired. Chris and I are just friends.”

“Hmm, I don’t think so. He doesn’t look at you like you’re just friends and you should have seen him before you woke up in the hospital. The guy was out of his mind with worry. He cares way more for you than just friends, I promise you that.”

And there it was again, that hope.