Unbreakable (Unrestrained 4)

“Do you want me to ask Dave about Dawn and Kurt?”

“If you don’t mind,” she said. “I’m worried about her. For her to be with Kurt, well, I don’t know what to think about it, considering how she

felt about me being with you.”

I went over and sat on the bed beside her. “You really are worried about her?”

She nodded. “At first I was kind of happy because if she could see her way to being with Kurt, maybe she could accept you and me. But now…”

I sighed and brushed hair from her forehead. “What do you want to know?”

“Don’t make a big deal about it,” Kate said, as if she’d reconsidered. “I don’t want to get too involved with Dawn. Just casually ask him about them.”

“I’ll be the epitome of discretion,” I said.

“Thanks,” Kate said. “I didn’t want to pry when she wrote me so whatever he knows.”

“I’ll do some sleuthing,” I said with a smile. “I have my little birds who like to sing, both at the hospitals and Doctors Without Borders, if you want me to find out more.”

“You do, do you?” she said, her eyes narrowing. “I’ll keep that in mind if I ever decide to misbehave.”

I laughed at the expression of mischief on her face and the leaned down one more time to kiss her, unable to resist her when her hair was mussed and her eyes sleepy.

“Later,” I said and ran my fingers along her jaw. “We can laze around and drink coffee and read the papers.”

“I can mentally steel myself for tonight’s interrogation.”

“I’ll prepare you,” I said with a laugh. “Go over your speaking points, give you some sound bites.”

“Sounds like a plan,” she replied with a grin and lay back down.

I stopped at the doorway. “Seriously, don’t worry about dinner tonight. Everyone will love you because I do. And because you’re lovable. They’re all so happy I found someone, you’ll be treated like a princess.”

“If you say so,” she said, her voice doubtful. “I still think I should go over my speaking notes, as you say.”

I shook my head. “Just be yourself.” Then I blew her a kiss and left.

Dave was waiting for me at the health club, already in his shorts and t-shirt, and was lacing up his shoes.

“There you are,” he said and glanced meaningfully at his watch. I was running a few minutes late. “Couple of guys wanted to use our court when we weren’t in it right away.”

“Sorry,” I said and made a face. “I’ll be quick.” I tried to strip and get dressed as quickly as possible. While I was lacing up my own shoes, I decided to broach the subject of Kurt and Dawn. “So what do you know about Kurt and Dawn?” I kept my voice light, watching him out of the corner of my eye.

“You mean the chick he was with at the fundraiser? Kate’s friend?”

I nodded and slipped on the other shoe. “Yes,” I said. “Kate was surprised that they were together.”

Dave pursed his lips. “I know she’s really cute. She’s a nurse. Kurt’s a medivac pilot. Sounds like the two of them are made for each other. Didn’t she tell Kate? I mean, if they’re friends…”

“They used to be friends, but haven’t seen much of each other for a while. I wondered what was up.”

Dave nodded and examined his racket. “All I know is that they went to the fundraiser together. They seemed quite into each other, by the way they were talking and holding hands.”

I finished tying my shoes and grabbed my racket. “Let’s go,” I said. I didn’t want to push Dave for any more gossip, preferring him to volunteer information.

Dave nodded, and that was that.

I hadn’t played a game of racquetball for ages, and I was out of shape and rusty so he won every game.