Free Keep the Faith (Bulletproof #1.5) by J. L. Baldwin

seem to focus on. Sarah walks over to me and winks before continuing on into the back room. “Hey, I need help,” I say in a weak voice.
    “That’s the understatement of the year,” Sarah jokes making me shoot a glare her way but she can’t see it. “Smartass, I’m being serious,” I say in a sharper tone. Sarah laughs then walks back out holding a bottled water. “What is it?” She asks, scooting up onto the wooden desk and crossing her legs. Should I tell her what is on my mind? Would that make me a terrible friend if I told her that I can’t concentrate because of Gwen’s brothers?
    “Ahh, I see,” she assumes with a smile. Cocking my head to the side, I gauge her reaction.
    “You like both the Falcon brothers, don’t you? Ronan is sweet and tender but Ryder is rough and wild. Or from what I’ve learned about them,” Gwen makes a gagging sound from behind us causing us to turn in her direction.
    “Y’all, those are my big brothers. Don’t go grossing me out now,” she says, returning to her desk carrying a cup of coffee and a manila folder. The sweet aroma of the caffeinated beverage hits my nostrils and makes me envious. Coffee is what I need. Lots of fucking coffee to numb these feelings. Not as good as vodka, but being at work doesn’t give me too many options.
    “Sarah! What do I do? I don’t know if I should go for it with everything going on or what but I know nobody has affected me the way those two do. Damn it all,” I yell in frustration.
    “Your guess is as good as mine, Anna. I know Jayde would want you to be happy and to live your life the way you normally would if she were here. Being her sister and sharing that bond, I know that’s exactly what she would want. So in my opinion, you should go for it. One of my favorite quotes is ‘shoot for the moon, even if you miss you’ll land among the stars,’ ” Sarah says and I smile.
    “Norman Vincent Peale?” I ask, giving her a side glance. Sarah nods proudly. “Jayde isn’t the only one who has picked up a book or two. I’ve been known to be my own little bookworm. Where Jayde reads smutty romance, I read non-fiction,” Sarah says smiling.
    “Oh I know. I remember you attempting to drill your knowledge into my brain the times I was over at your house and it didn’t work.” Sarah shoves me gently but giggles.
    “You were always a stubborn one, just like Jayde.” She says with amusement filling her voice.
    Jayde would agree with Sarah if she were here. It’s no wonder her and I always got along so well. We’re both stubborn as mules, her dad used to say.  It was one of the many things I loved about him. Sarah nudges me playfully and for the first time in a very long time, I miss their dad. Hank always kept me level headed. Even though I had my own father, he was the final glue who kept me sane.
    “Daddy would be so proud of you, Anna. He always said you were like his own flesh and blood,” Sarah says to me proudly, making my heart swell with emotion.
    “I hope so. Your father was like my own at times and he always kept me sane. For that, I’ll forever be grateful to him.” Sarah smiles proudly before hopping down off the desk and straightening her skirt.
    “I have to go check in with the café in the morning to see how poorly they are doing without me. Want to tag along?” Sarah asks me. I hate when she tempts me with that delicious brew and those sinfully delicious pastries. My pants are already getting tight on me from all the emotional eating I’ve done since Jayde went missing. It’s one way to cope, that’s for sure.
    “Sure, you can count me in. I’ll put Gwen in charge for tomorrow morning. I’m sure she will accept when I bribe her with a banana nut muffin and a skinny vanilla latte,” I say with a laugh. Gwen was a downhome country girl to the roots and loved her southern pastries just the same. Looking around the newspaper floor, my mind is a buzz with activity. Ryder’s card still sits glued to my