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“Hey,” he says in answer, his deep voice sounding sexy even nohen I’m frantic orry for Ro

“Hi,” I say breathlessly “My roomo get her”

“Where at?”

“Uh…” I get init on the seat beside me “All I know is she’s close to Caesars Palace”

“I’ll meet you there,” he says

“What? No, you don’t have to do that”

“You’re going to need help On the Strip, you can’t just pull up wherever you want”

“I don’t…uh…shit I can’t even remember which way to turn!”

I’ and crying on the sidewalk Tears are blurringoff with her purse while she’s immobilized—or worse

“Hey,” Maverick says softly “It’s gonna be okay It’s early afternoon, and there are lots of people on the Strip Someone will stop to help her I’ll meet you there, okay? Let me know exactly where she is when you can”

I burst into tears, which is so unlikehim I only want to be friends when in truth, I wantto the rescue of my friend just because I need him

“I will,” I say through my tears “Thanks”

“It’s going to be okay,” he says “I promise”

“I know, but she’s, I mean you and her are my only friends and I know that et close to anyone because then I care about them and I just hate that she’s hurt”

The words are flowing out of my mouth unchecked by my brain I wipe my cheeks as I stop at an intersection

“Gia,” Maverick says “Take a deep breath Don’t get into a wreck I was about to have lunch with a teammate at a place not far from Caesars, and we’re on our way there now I’ll text you if I find her first, and you do the same Okay?”

I inhale, exhale and say, “Okay I’m okay Thanks”

“See you soon”

“Okay”

I reach over and push the button to end the call, taking another deep breath Maverick is right The best way for et there to help as quickly as I can I press down onto re lot to Caesars is