Page 112 of Even Ground

“Are you two …?” she asks.

“I’m not sure what we are yet. But he’s in so much trouble for this.”

She laughs. “He’s got Judith eating out of the palm of his hand.”

I knit my fingers together and squeeze. “I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not.”

Judith claps to get everyone’s attention seeing as they’re all now focused on my interloper.

“Have a good break, everyone. Relax and come back refreshed and ready for new challenges.”

This time, I have to apply pressure with my hand to stop myself from laughing; she sounds like an entirely different person.

And then I wait as the class empties, but not before some of the women ask Reece for selfies. He obliges every single one and then saunters toward me.

“Ready to go home?” he asks.

Sam’s still standing nearby, staring at us.

“What are you doing here?”

“I forgot to take the key with me when I went out. So, I took an Uber.”

I grin. “You knew damn well you were making a scene.”

He places his palm on his heart. “Who, me?”

“Yes, you, Reece Evans. You shit stirrer.” I laugh. “There’s someone I want you to meet.”

I hold my hand out toward Sam. “Sam has been with me through my whole training, and she’s a friend.”

He smiles. “How’s it going, Sam?”

“Great.” Her face tightens, but her eyes are bright. I’m not sure she knows how to handle this situation.

He holds his hand out to shake and she takes it. It makes me think back to the day we met. He didn’t intimidate me, but I was a little star-struck. I can empathise with how she’s feeling.

“It’s good to meet you. Any friend of Pania’s is a friend of mine.” He lets go of her hand and slips his arm around my waist. “Ready to go?”

“After I take a photo of you and Sam.” I turn to her. “Give me your phone.”

Sam’s eyes widen as I take the phone from her and Reece moves next to her. He talks softly to her, and she giggles before his arm goes around her waist and they pose for me.

I take a bunch of photos before giving her the phone back.

“Thank you,” she says to both of us.

Reece winks. “You’re welcome.”

She grabs her bag and smiles at me. “See you after the holidays.”

I wave. “You bet.”

Picking up my bag, I take Reece’s outstretched hand and we walk toward the exit.

Reece plants a kiss on my temple. “You’re a good person, Pania.”

I let out a contented sigh. “I know. Just don’t tell anyone.”