Page 103 of Reset

“Ellie Blue,” he called back, letting her know this was his best friend.

Elle ran at Ryan, jumping up to throw her arms and legs around him, laughing loudly when he caught her. Her eyes shone with pure joy.

Ryan said something to Elle, and her gaze shot to Sarah. Next thing she knew, Sarah was being hugged by a woman she’d never met.

“You’re Ryan’s Sarah,” she exclaimed. “I’m so happy to meet you.” Then she turned somber, holding both Sarah’s hands in hers as she looked up at her earnestly. “If I’d known about you, I would have told you he was in a coma. I’m so sorry that I didn’t think to check his online profiles to find you. I can only imagine what you must have thought, and it’s all my fault.”

“No—” Sarah started to say.

“Yes.” Elle nodded. “This is on me. Which means you get favors for life. Just ask and it’s yours. You want someone on the no-fly list? I can do that. You want to hack some top-secret facility? I’m your woman.”

She was so earnest that all Sarah could say was, “Thanks?”

Ryan’s laugh caught both of their attentions, and they turned to see him pull a pristinely dressed woman into a hug.

“That’s Rachel,” Elle said. “She doesn’t hug.”

“This is how normal people show affection,” Ryan told Rachel, laughing as he did so.

“This is how a perfectly good Prada suit ends up in the rubbish bin.” Rachel curled her lip. “Stop touching me and take a shower.”

“She’s an acquired taste,” Elle said with affection.

A scary blonde woman, who turned out to be Dimitri’s wife, Megan, sidled up to Sarah.

“I’m glad you’re alive and safe,” Megan said. “But if you ever hurt Ryan, I’ll use you for target practice.” Then she was gone.

“Is that normal?” Sarah asked Elle.

“It’s how Scottish people tell you they care.” Elle nudged her. “Speaking of scary Scottish people, don’t let this one freak you out. Really, he’s a teddy bear.”

A sandy-haired man strode toward her on mechanical feet, holding out his hand as he scowled. When Sarah hesitantly took it, he clasped her hand between both of his.

“This is our boss, Callum,” Elle said.

Intense green eyes met hers. “You shouldnae be standing,” he said gruffly. “You look like you’ve been through hell. Let’s get you some help.” Then he turned and bellowed at a paramedic to get his arse over there and do his job.

Sarah honestly wasn’t sure what she was supposed to do. Was she supposed to head over to the terrified paramedic or stay with the scary Scottish guy?

“Let go of Sarah,” an American man said. “You’re freaking her out.”

“I am not,” Callum barked before looking down at her.

“Maybe a little,” she admitted.

With a grump, he dropped her hand and headed over to harass the poor paramedic.

“I’m Joe,” the American said. “This is Julia.” He held hands with the woman at his side.

Everything about Julia called to Sarah. She had kind eyes and a soft smile that instantly put her at ease.

“The first time Callum barked at me,” Julia said, “I fainted.”

“You did?” Sarah could totally understand that.

“Yeah.” Joe grinned at Julia. “And then spent almost a year hiding under her desk or behind office plants so she wouldn’t have to deal with him.”

“Or you.” Julia batted her lashes at him before giving Sarah a wry look. “Or any of the men. They can be a little…intimidating.”