Her alarm went off at ten in the morning. We were able to start our day off right, and still had time for breakfast. Although it was Friday, I decided not to go in. Too much excitement from the day before, and my food truck was noticed. I felt sure, by now, the press would…

CONTENT WARNING Taking her chin in my hands, I raised her face so her eyes met mine. “I was waiting, like they told me to. I heard you on the phone, telling Monroe how many men were in there. I was so proud of you for having the nerve to do that. Then the dirt…

“If you were, you wouldn’t have rescued me.” “Very true. And we wouldn’t be sitting here sharing Chinese, we’d be in bed. Having spectacular sex,” I declared more loudly than intended. Wouldn’t you know, that’s when the buzzer sounded downstairs. Rowena hopped up to answer. I put the wine away, and set up a pot…

“You’re welcome. And thanks for your help,” I replied. “Anytime. That’s what friends do.” He left with another guy, who had come to pick him up. I walked Rowena up to the building door, assuring her I’d be back. “I can’t leave the truck on the street, and it won’t fit in the parking lot.…

It took Monroe a little while, but she rounded up the hostages, who were eating their dinner in the plaza, and me. She needed statements, and was determined to get them immediately. I poured her a coffee, handed her a cinnamon roll, and sat down with her and Rowena, while Jake worked the truck. As…