Rock Chick Rescue (Rock Chick #2)(55)

“How’s your Mom?” Amy asked, picking up a pile and counting it to double check.

“She did a couple loads of laundry and emptied the dishwasher yesterday and she’s walking around a lot more.” I lifted my head and Amy and I smiled at each other.

I’d been giving her a bi-weekly update on Mom for months, we both knew how important this was.

Then I went back to counting.

“When she gets back on her feet, are you gonna come back to work for us? It hasn’t been the same since you’ve been gone,” Amy told me.

It took superhuman effort to keep my eyes off Eddie.

He didn’t know anything about my past life and I didn’t want him to.

Some way, somehow, by the end of the day, I was going to have to let Eddie know where I stood, which was far away from him once this al blew over.

I hadn’t figured out how to do that yet, but I’d find a way.

I’d decided in the shower that what happened that morning couldn’t happen again. Ever again. It al had to stop, and soon, or I’d likely lose my mind (not to mention my heart).

“Maybe,” I said to Amy. The answer was more like

“probably”. As much as it would hurt to leave Fortnum’s, Fortnum’s meant running into Eddie and that I couldn’t do.

Amy turned to Eddie and smiled.

“Jet was a hoot to work with. Not so much here. Can’t real y have much fun here. But…” She turned to me and her smile broadened, “remember that time when we went to visit Donna’s kid when he was getting chemo and you got al the kids on the ward together and pretended to have a shoot out in the elevator bays using your hands as guns?

That was hysterical.” She turned back to Eddie, “Jet even did a tuck and rol on the floor and accidental y knocked over a male nurse. I nearly peed my pants laughing.” Her face flushed as she realized she’d just told a hot guy she’d nearly peed her pants.

My face flushed as I realized Amy had just told Eddie about my tuck and rol in the hospital corridor. It was not a crowning moment of glory for me.

I stopped counting and stared at her in horror. It was definitely not the time for a trip down memory lane.

Eddie smiled at Amy. The effect was mesmerizing (even for me, and the smile wasn’t pointed in my direction) and it was al the encouragement Amy needed.

She forged ahead, turning to me, bright-eyed and firmly in the throes of a mini Eddie Daze.

“And when we played that practical joke on David when he had that new girlfriend?” Amy looked back to Eddie,

“She was a screaming bitch, by the way, she totally deserved it.”

“That was a good one,” Jody chimed in, licking her finger and counting bil s.

“Amy…” I started but Amy was warming to her theme.

“He was having dinner with her at Wazee Supper Club and Jet walked in wearing curlers in her hair, ratty slippers and an old bath robe and started shouting at him about going out with his floosies while she was at home with their six kids.”

“I’l never forget it,” Jody said, “We al went down to watch. That was worth missing the Broncos on Monday Night Footbal .”

Amy went on, “Now he’s married to Lisa and we al like her.”

I closed my eyes and silently asked the Good Lord if he was busy and maybe could he help me out.

“And remember when…” Amy started.

The Good Lord asked me to leave a message.

“Amy, Eddie doesn’t want to hear this stuff,” I interrupted.

“Yes I do,” Eddie said.

Wonderful.

Jody’s head came up and she looked closely at me.

“See, he does,” Amy went on, oblivious, and she made to start talking again but Jody came away from her drawer and into Amy’s station.

“I’l help you count, Jet. I’m sure you’ve got a lot to do, what with your Mom and al .”

I felt the tension ease out of my body and I would have kissed her if I didn’t think she’d bitch-slap me for even trying.

“Thanks Jody,” I said.

“I’m so sorry, Jet. I didn’t think,” Amy mumbled and smiled tentatively at Eddie then started to concentrate on my deposit.

I guess the Good Lord got to his messages quickly and sent an angel in the form of Jody as his stand-in.

Whatever. It worked for me.

* * * * *

We walked out of the Credit Union, I threw myself into Eddie’s truck and snatched my travel mug out of the drink holder, taking my first sip of caffeine for the day. I needed it.

I actual y needed it laced with Jack Daniels but I’d take it as it came.

Eddie got in and turned to me.

“So, you used to work there.”

I avoided his eyes, looked out the windscreen and sipped more coffee.

“Yeah,” I answered.

“You’l have to teach me the tuck and rol . Maybe I can use it during a shoot out.”

Where were freak flashes of lightening when you needed them? At that point, I didn’t care if it took out me, or Eddie, or both of us.

I turned to him. “Do you get in shoot outs often?”

“Not real y.”

“Then you’l be safe.”

He grinned.

“How’s the kid?” he asked.