Free The Deception by Fiona Palmer Page B

Anna reached out and hugged her again. ‘I love you, Jaz. I’m glad there’s no more secrets. There aren’t, are there?’
    ‘Not secrets, but there is more to tell.’ Like Pakistan and the operation she was tasked with.
    ‘Hello, lovely ladies,’ said a voice.
    They turned to see Taylor walking up the street. His walk was slow and casual, his hands deep in the pockets on his loose jeans. He’d changed out of his uniform and was wearing a casual grey t-shirt and his white Nikes.
    ‘Tay, what are you doing?’ Jaz was surprised to see him without his Mustang.
    ‘Got bored at home and thought I’d see if you were back.’ His eyes went straight to Anna. She launched into his arms and squeezed him tightly.
    ‘Oh, Tay. I’m so sorry,’ she said.
    Tay shot Jaz a confused look. ‘She knows Tay.’
    ‘Pax and Jaz told me everything. I can’t believe it! But It’s okay, I’m here for you now,’ she whispered into Tay’s neck. His eyes softened as her words sunk in. Dragging his hands out of his jeans he wrapped them around Anna.
    His tension fell away as he savoured the hug and pressed his lips against her shoulder. Jaz couldn’t keep the silly grin off her face. They looked so good together.
    He sighed. ‘Thank God. I hated not telling you.’
    Anna leant back so she could see his face. ‘You were amazing to save Jaz. I’m so glad you had her back.’
    Jaz cleared her throat. ‘How about you take Tay home to the tree house and talk?’ she suggested. Somewhere quiet and private. ‘I have to go home and help do dinner.’
    Anna finally pulled away but her hand found his. ‘Good plan. Come on, Tay. See ya tomorrow, Jazzy.’
    ‘Bye Anna, see ya Tay.’ Taylor shot her a massive smile, his eyes grateful. As her best friend strolled towards her house with Tay in tow, Jaz couldn’t help but be thankful that she had both of them in her life. Things didn’t seem so life crushing when you had dedicated friends to share your pain with. And having them by her side is what was going to get Jaz through her new life and all the changes. She could survive her nightmares with those two in her corner.

Chapter 7
    At school the next day Anna never left their sides, as if they would collapse in their own grief if she wasn’t there to hold their hands. It was nice. Things were like before Anna started dating Ricky; they sat at their table at lunchtime together again, laughing and telling jokes. Jaz felt better and she knew Taylor did too. Anna was the distraction from their thoughts.
    Ricky walked past and gave Anna a weak smile before dropping his head and leaving the cafeteria with a sandwich.
    ‘You could have asked Ricky to eat with us,’ said Jaz.
    Anna rolled her apple around her hand, engrossed.
    ‘I promise I’ll behave,’ said Tay. ‘If you want him to join us.’
    She shrugged. ‘No, it’s fine.’ Anna cleared her throat. ‘We’ve actually just gone back to being friends. I don’t really want the complications of a boyfriend right now.’
    Jaz and Tay shared a glance, both forcing their smiles to remain hidden. ‘We’re sorry, Anna. Are you sure you’re okay?’ So much focus had been on them lately, and Anna was always so bubbly that it was easy to forget that it wasn’t always the case.
    ‘Gosh yeah, don’t worry about me. It wasn’t that serious. It’s not like I loved him or anything.’
    Tay wrapped his arm around her shoulders. ‘You still have us.’ He kissed her head before letting her go.
    Minka walked passed, witnessed the exchange and faked a gag. Anna turned a shade of pink.
    Minka sashayed away, her uniform skirt pushing the boundaries of ridiculously short. ‘Some days I wish it was her dad we were investigating,’ Jaz whispered softly. She’d rather Minka suffered than Marcus. While she was thinking of him, she pulled out her phone and sent him a text, explaining that she was studying with some friends after school and couldn’t meet up but would call him before she