Man, she was never staying late again. From now on, her cell phone was programmed to chirp every half-hour all afternoon on work days, reminding her to leave on time with the rest of her co-workers. Talk about scary.
She hadn’t wanted to stay overnight for observation at the hospital, either, but the ER doctor had insisted after he found out she lived alone. He’d been worried. She had a small concussion, which explained why her head still throbbed more than the shallow slice on her throat stung. Actually, once her avenging angel had bandaged her, she hadn’t thought of her neck again. Only how warm and sure his hands had felt on her skin. How adeptly he’d cleaned the shallow slice, then applied that sticky gauze. How he’d smelled of spearmint and musky male. How he might have kissed her if only...
Her lungs expanded at those delicious memories. Of all the men in the world, she’d met someone who resembled an archangel. Wasn’t that just her style? Hide from every other guy, never date, never even think of dating or going out for coffee or… anything. Then find a man worth taking the risk, on the worst, well, second worst, day of her life. Only to realize he wasn’t from the same planet or dimension or… whatever.
Ashley shook her head, dismissing those crazy thoughts. Not going there. The adventure was behind her. The cut was already healing. She smoothed her hand over her neck to prove it. Because of her buttoned-up collar, no one would ever know she’d been attacked Friday night. It was Monday morning, and she had a job to do. She was Alexandria, Virginia’s one-of-a-kind, outreach coordinator, and she could do this. Deep breath.
Autumn weather was humid, not yet unbearable. It’d be the perfect day if not for the nasty task at hand. But she’d get it done, by heck. She’d already called Terry. He knew she’d be in late, that she was handling her assignment. She was prepared to face down any belligerents who might not appreciate the invitation she was about to extend to them. There were three men on her list of bad boys who’d thought they could defy Health Department orders. Not anymore.
She was strong. She was determined. What happened Friday night would not get her down, not like that other time. That encounter had nearly ruined her. To say she’d come a long way from the traumatized woman she’d been back then, was like saying the hurricane currently stretching up the Florida coast was a spring shower. There was a day not long ago she never would’ve stepped outside her apartment, not even to go to work. But a woman couldn’t let past mistakes define her. She knew that now. Not that she’d made a mistake that day. She hadn’t. But after two years of extreme caution, mixed with months of confidential counseling that her employer offered, she was ready to take her old life back.
Okay then. Another deep breath. If one of these three men thought they could push her around once they heard what she had to say… Well, her trusty can of mace was back in her over-the-shoulder messenger bag, and this time, she’d use it. It was unfortunate the men on her list hadn’t yet responded to her phone calls or written notification to come in for check-ups and blood tests. They should have, or she wouldn’t have to pay them personal visits today, would she?
Deep, deep breath. Then another and… Oh, fudge. Inhaling that deeply was only making her dizzy. Hyperventilating wouldn’t satisfy her nervous body’s need for O2. It wouldn’t get the dirty job ahead of her done any quicker, either. The only way was through.
Yeah, yeah, yeah…
Ashley glanced down the empty hallway of her safe, secure apartment complex, contemplating a round of good old procrastination. But that wasn’t her style, either, and…
Oh-kay then. You got this.
No, I don’t.
But you’ll still do it. You always do what you’re told. You’re a good girl. Why change now?
There is that…
Despite her upbringing, or maybe because of it, Ashley girded up her invisible loins of courage, swallowed hard, and knock, knock, knocked on the sturdy apartment door next to hers. Unfortunately, it belonged to her neighbor, the to-die-for handsome, sandy-blond haired man, with shoulders so wide he had to let them pass through doorways one at a time. Mr. Tripp McClane. She was sure he was former military, and that he’d been created with muscles to spare. But the absolute last way she’d wanted to meet him was by handing over the incriminating, accusatory invitation in her now sweaty hand.
This was all his fault. His failure to comply was the only reason she was here today. If he’d answered any of the numerous calls, emails, and letters she’d sent him, he could’ve saved himself, and her, a ton of embarrassing trouble. But since he hadn’t, she was here to make sure he knew he had to be tested. The sooner, the better. Privately, by a doctor of his choice, or by one of the doctors at the clinic. It’d be free, and it would only take a couple minutes. No one else would know unless he told them. He just had to be a man and man up and… Do. It.
A rowdy gang of street urchins, Ashley’s gentle term for ladies of the night, which was another fairly obtuse misnomer for prostitutes, had recently invaded the lovely, tourist-friendly streets of quaint Alexandria. Because those enterprising women had taken their kind of stalking to a fine art, a
