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.

at night, and Josie

regular sleep

was jolted awake by her phone ringing. She furrowed her brow as she answered the

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

anxiety when she heard Laura’s crying on the other end of

was sobbing so hard that she could barely

up in bed, her eyes wide

Laura quavered,

now?” She swept her hair out of her face and asked in a frantic tone. ‘Give me the address. I’ll be there as soon as I can. Don’t panic”

in disarray, and her clothes were

changed her clothes, and left her house in

Laura’s situation, Laura said out of the blue.

1/2

Mon, Aug

535 Laura

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

was thick with tension. All Josie could hear was Laura’s

residence, aren’t you?” Josie was