Page 86 of Irresistible Temptation
“But the office…don’t you need to be there? Everyone saw. Ugh, I’m so sorry, Chester.”
“Ineedto be here,” he said firmly.
I twisted my mouth as I looked up at him. He had come to bail me out. He had put me first, ahead of everything else. I could have cried right there.
“Juliet!” I heard Gabriella yell. I looked toward the door and saw her running toward me with tears streaming down her face.
Chester released me just before Gabriella flung her arms around me.
“Oh, my God!” she exclaimed.
“I’m okay,” I said, trying to breathe in her tight embrace.
“What the hell happened?” she asked, pulling back and looking at me, inspecting me just as Chester had. I waved her off to let her know I was fine.
“It’s a long story…but I’m okay now. Chester bailed me out.” I looked up at him, realizing he hadn’t met my best friend yet. This wasn’t exactly how I pictured it playing out. Gabriella quietly assessed him before she threw her arms around him.
“Thank you for getting her out,” she cried. “It’s so nice to meet you!”
Chester looked from her to me, his mouth open, and I stifled a laugh. The first laugh I had in a while.
“It’s nice to meet you, too?” said Chester, standing rigidly.
“Chester, this is Gabriella…” I motioned my palm toward her.
He nodded uncomfortably, which just made it more humorous. Gabriella let him go and looked back at me.
“I guess you don’t need me anymore.” She shrugged, wiping a tear from her cheek and letting out a breathy laugh.
“I’m sorry I had you come all this way,” I said regretfully.
“Don’t be.” She waved me off. “You two go. You probably have a lot to talk about.” She raised her brows suggestively and I shot her a look.
“I can have my driver take you home,” offered Chester. “He’s outside.”
“The stretch limo?”
“Er, yes.”
I bit back a smile as I watched them sort out her transportation home.
“Is there champagne?” she asked.
“Yes.” Chester smiled.
“Good. I need it.”
She thanked him and hugged me one last time before slipping out the front door of the police station, eager to soothe her nerves with some bubbles and a relaxing drive home.
“She’s…quirky,” said Chester, watching her go.
“Hey! Her best friend was just in jail…” I said, giving him a playful punch in the arm.
“Hey now,” he said, looking down at me feigning seriousness. “I could have you arrested for that.” His brown eyes then danced in amusement.
“Not funny,” I muttered.
“Too soon?” he asked, gesturing for the door.
