Page 67 of Love Unbound
Jodi heaved a sigh before beginning. “He’s in a whole heapof legal trouble. He admitted to everything, the vandalisms, bugging the shop, stealing the video surveillance. They cut him some kind of deal to cooperate. He dropped the charges against Free,” her throat closed when she whispered his name, “and he had to sign over the bookshop to myself and Tessa. He isn’t allowed near me or the shop, or he will be violating his probation. He’s getting off pretty easy, but at least it’s finally over. I’ll take it as a win.”
Shaun nodded against her stacked hands. “I still think castration should be an option.”
Jodi laughed. “He doesn’t know how to use it anyway.”
Shaun made a face of disgust and Jodi chuckled again. Jodi motioned to Shaun’s stacked hands, the left that was home to the small diamond band. “Tell me what happened with Tommy last weekend.”
Her sister shrugged, though Jodi saw the involuntary movement of her left hand, as if Shaun had remembered the small diamond ring that was settled on her finger. “I said yes. It still feels strange, like it wasn’t me that said it. It makes sense though. I know Tommy loves me.”
Jodi’s brows pulled into a V as she stared at her sister. Her beautiful, exotic, fire-willed sister. Agreeing to a marriage proposal because ‘it makes sense’. She hated to admit it, but maybe Free had been right… there was that chemistry, that spark, lacking between her sister and her new fiancé. That fire that burned within her sister would be snuffed out, choked into smoke, without someone willing to fan it and keep it smoldering. She liked Tommy Chandler well enough, but he was kind of a wet blanket, almost smothering in his adoration. Shaun needed someone to test her, push her, instead of coddling her.
Perhaps they would talk about it later, when the newness of the engagement had worn off. When Jodi’s entire being didn’t feel it had been run through a woodchipper, when heartachewasn’t still suffocating her.
“You guys will figure it out,” she said instead, smiling gently.
“Tommy is driving Zoey insane,” Shaun said then, heaving a sigh. “He’s been… overwhelmingly protective of her. I know he’s only trying to help. With everything that happened, and their mom passing… Zoey’s struggling. But she’s trying.”
“Does she still have nightmares?” Jodi asked.
Shaun nodded sadly. “Not as often anymore, but yes. She was diagnosed with PTSD, but she said that therapy is helping. And her work is something that keeps her going. She’s stronger than she gives herself credit for.”
Shaun was quiet for a long time and Jodi closed her eyes in the semi darkness of the room. They’d left one dim lamp on across the room, which cast half the room in shadows.
“What are you going to do?” her sister asked gently, and Jodi’s eyes opened, gazing into the blue eyes that were so like her own. Jodi shrugged.
“I don’t know,” she answered honestly. “I was just so jealous. She’s probably one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen in my life,” Jodi laughed ruefully. Shaun smiled. “She actually seemed really nice. I understand why he had to go. Shaun, this girl’s face… I can’t imagine the pain and fear she must have felt, scared enough to fly halfway across the country to get away. Whoever did that to her… I hope they get him.”
“Do you think he’ll come back, like he said?” Shaun asked.
“I don’t know that either,” Jodi whispered. She sighed. “I said really hurtful things. I wouldn’t blame him if he doesn’t.”
“Well, I think he’d be an idiot not to come back,” Shaun said and yawned broadly.
Jodi smiled sadly and glanced at the clock, groaning. It was after midnight. She climbed out of the bed, crossing the room to turn off the lamp before climbing back into the bed, pulling the covers up to her chin. “Go to sleep.”
Shaun nodded, yawning again loudly. “You first.”
Jodi grinned in the dark. “Bossy.”
Shaun’s eyes closed, but Jodi could see her smile through the dark. “Don’t forget it.”
Chapter 50
“Why don’t you take the afternoon off?”
Jodi looked over at Tessa, who’s gaze was surveying her face warily. Everyone had been treating her like glass for nearly three weeks, and it was starting to grate on Jodi’s nerves.
Three weeks since Freeman had left. It seemed like a lifetime and only hours at the same time. Jodi snapped, “I’m fine, Tess. You can stop acting like I’m going to break any second.”
Her friend pursed her red lips and pushed her glasses back up her nose, her eyes narrowing. “You don’t have to be rude, Jodi. We’re just worried about you.”
“Well, don’t,” Jodi griped, turning away from the blonde. “I don’t need everyone looking at me like that.”
“Like what? Like we care?” Tessa snapped, hands on her hips. Today, she wore a calf length black skirt with a slit up to her thigh, and a Red Hot Chili Peppers band tee that was knotted at her waist, a pair of red low top converse on her feet.
“No,” Jodi grated, turning and taking the same stance as she continued, “like you all pity me. I’m fine.”
Her friend laughed darkly. “This isn’t pity, Jodi. And you’re not fine. When was the last time you slept? When was the last time you ate? When was the last time you put anything in your system other thancoffee?”
