Free Protecting the Enemy by Christy Newton

there.” He made a U-turn. “Do you get headaches often?”
    She pressed her fingers to her temples in a circular motion. “Ever since the night we tried to erase each other.”
    He gave her a concerned look. “But not before that?”
    She groaned again. “Not really.”
    “Your brain is trying to remember.” He paused. “Maybe someday you’ll get your memory back.”
    Maybe, but what if she didn’t? What if she never knew who she really was before six months ago? Too bad she couldn’t trade her short term memories for her long term ones.
    He pulled into the busy parking lot. Blondie’s bakery was covered in white siding with an oval painted sign hung over the door. The teal and white striped awning topped off the bakery. It was a cute place, but she didn’t remember ever having gone there before.
    They looked around for any sign of being followed. They had to stay on high alert no matter where they went. It was exhausting. Reid opened the door for her signaling a bell. The delightful aroma of fresh baked breads, donuts and brownies filled her nose. She looked around and still didn’t recall the place. Julianna stepped up to the glass and gazed at all the sweet treats.
    A plump lady in a hairnet walked over. “I haven’t seen you forever! Did you move to another area?” She studied Julianna. “You look different, more… relaxed.”
    Realization washed over Julianna. She had lived in this city, even frequented places. Everything Reid had told her was proving to be true.
    The lady’s face reddened as if she had inserted her foot into her mouth. “The usual?”
    Reid nodded. “Make that two.”
    Julianna stepped aside. Reid grinned at her. She wanted to trust him, wanted to confide in him everything she knew. Maybe it was time.
    Reid handed her a thick frosted brownie nestled in waxed paper. They walked back out to the car. She let her teeth sink down into the most amazing chocolate she’d ever tasted. The sweetness swirled across her tongue making her eyes snap shut in delight. It was worth every calorie and more. She licked her lips to make sure she didn’t have any leftover frosting on them.
    “Are you trying to torture me?” Reid shoved the rest of his brownie into his mouth.
    “What?”
    “Licking your lips like that.”
    Must have been the intense sugar overload. “You mean like this.” She slowly traced her lips with the tip of her tongue.
    He shook his head with a smile on his face. “I guess your headache is gone.”
    Hmm. Funny, it was.
    ***
    “Brownies and shopping? Are you trying to seduce me?” Julianna walked next to Reid inside the strip mall on edge of the city.
    He raked his fingers through his is hair. “Is it working?”
    She stopped at a window to admire an outfit displayed on the mannequin. “It could be.”
    He followed her into the store. They both needed a few new outfits. The clothes on their backs were overdue for a change. They’d need a place to stay too, until they could devise a better plan. Julianna grabbed some clothing and went back to the dressing room. As the clock ticked by, he stood watch to make sure they weren’t being followed, stalked like prey.
    She walked out, smiling. “Your turn.”
    The look on her face was priceless. He loved seeing her happy. Reid shook his head when Julianna held up a reddish-pink sweater and again when she held up purple.  He could wear sweaters, but drew the line at pink and purple. She frowned and lifted the same sweater in green.
    “Okay.” He walked over to the table and found pants in his size. Unlike Julianna, he wouldn’t be trying anything on. They’d wasted enough time today already, but seeing the grin on her face as he paid for their new clothes made it worth it. 
    When they got out to the parking lot, Reid handed Julianna the bags, so he could comb the loaner car for any devices. He was taking every precaution. All his training and experience had prepared him for just about anything, but Boss had been their