“I know that. We’ve known one another for years.”
“No, Amanda, I think they really care. Like a lot more than just as friends.”
Amanda’s eyes widened and then her cheeks turned red. “No way. They’re huge and wild and crazy and very well known with the ladies, if you know what I mean?”
Sage chuckled. “You aren’t exactly a lightweight in the sexual partners department,” Sage teased, and Amanda nudged her arm.
“Thanks a bunch.”
“Hey, you’ve got nothing to lose. Don’t push them away, Amanda. It could be the worst mistake you make.”
“I think I already made the worst mistake ever, by hooking up with some guy I didn’t know and letting him suave his way out of the crowded bar and away from my friends.”
Sage softened her expression. “Don’t focus on the past anymore. Just focus on your future, and all the possibilities.”
Amanda smiled. “What about you? You can’t possibly want to leave Pearl, now that you’ve fallen in love with Quaid, Matt, Dale, and Virgo.”
Sage took a deep breath and released it as she looked across the room toward the group of men talking. Matt locked gazes with her, and she shyly looked back at Amanda.
“I think I’ll be sticking around for a while. After what just happened in Dallas, I’m probably going to have some issues about traveling alone, anywhere.”
“Me, too. I don’t even want to think about tonight. The nightmares are terrible, and so real. I haven’t told anyone about them. I asked Mom and Dad not to say a word.”
“I know what those are like. I bet if you told Doc he could give you something to take at night to help. He’s over there. I would ask him.”
“I think I will.” Amanda held Sage’s gaze and then hugged her. She whispered into her ear, “I love you so much. I’m so glad we both survived. I’m going to be a lot more careful from now on.”
“Me, too,” Sage said, and then Amanda stood up and made her way over to Doc.
Sage looked up again to see Matt watching her, and making his way over to her at the table. He sat down next to her, and took her hand into his own. Leaning closer, he kissed her cheek.
“Everything okay?” he asked.
“Everything is just fine, Matt.” She cupped his cheek, and felt safe and happy. She couldn’t wait to go home with them, and start getting things back to normal.
He squeezed her thigh and held her gaze.
“How is Amanda doing? Really?” he asked, and she laid her head against his shoulder, and smiled.
“She’ll get through it. I’ll help her,” Sage stated.
He hugged her against his side.
“Are the Feds still going to keep you abreast of the investigation?” she asked.
He nodded. “Marc will definitely keep me posted. There was some chatter last night about another location that could possibly be harboring other women.”
She sat forward, instantly feeling the tightness in her chest. “More women? When did you find this out?” She was upset, angry, she wanted to know more.
“Baby, it’s not for you to worry about. There are lots of law enforcement agencies involved. As far as what’s going on closer to home, Dale and Virgo will be working on securing the final surveillance cameras on the borders of town. Millie, Stacy, Lena, and Anna will be working with all of us to ensure that the women in the shelter are more careful, and also trained. He squeezed her thigh and winked at her. “We need to give the women a fighting chance, just like you had. But they also need to not place themselves in potentially dangerous situations.”
“Like Amanda did.”
“Yes, like Amanda did. Education is power. Sometimes it takes a situation this intense for the reality of the dangers that are out there to really hit home. We could have lost both of you.”
“I want to help. I know there has to be something I can do. I didn’t get to tell you guys much about Dallas, and the companies I visited.” Matt took a deep breath and released it.
Dale joined them, taking a seat on the opposite side of her. “Hey, baby.” He kissed her softly on the lips. She smiled.