Blind Date Turned Proposal

Summer flounced off to change, leaving Dexter and Claudia alone. Claudia smiled at Dexter and said, “Thank you for taking care of Summer. She can be quite a handful.”

Dexter understood what she was implying behind her words. He knew why she had avoided him all these years.

“It’s part of my responsibility,” Dexter said simply.

Arnold had been listening to their conversation the whole time. He finally spoke up, his smile dripping with sarcasm. “I never knew you were so protective, Dex.”

Dexter raised his eyebrows in derision. “Of course, I had to protect her,” he said firmly, his voice rising. “She’s my responsibility. D

Dexter smoothly changed the subject, effectively cutting Arnold off.

Arnold’s lips tightened into a thin line, and he remained silent.

Dexter raised his glass in a toast to Arnold. “Congratulations on your new project,” he said in a courteous

manner.

Arnold’s lips curled into a smirk. “You must have your sources,” Arnold said as he leveled his gaze at him,

“It’ll only get more efficient, Dexter responded, taking a large gulp of wine.

night, and Josie

regular sleep schedule.

She furrowed her brow

Laura.

pinched her eyebrows when she finally registered Laura’s name on the screen of her phone. It was late at night, and Laura only called her this late if there was a problem at work. She answered

stomach churned with dread and anxiety when she heard Laura’s

that she could barely

sat up in bed, her

so scared, Laura quavered,

are you right now?” She swept her hair out of her face and asked in a

was in disarray, and her clothes were stained

out of bed, changed her clothes, and left her house in her bedroom slippers. She

of Laura’s situation, Laura said out of the blue. “Josie, you

1/2

Mon, Aug

535 Laura in

her tracks, her anger rising. “Where are you right now? Do

Josie could

aren’t you?”