“Speaking of Bailey, she and Marco have been inseparable lately. I think they might be in it for the long haul.”

Viv laughed. “That’s an interesting way of putting it.”

Layla was thrilled that Bailey had found someone. Even if it meant they now had to share her with Marco. Their friendship was strong enough for anything.

“Thanks for helping me take my mind off things,” Layla said. “Even if it was by bringing up an equally difficult topic.” She laughed.

“Anything for you.” Viv smiled.

They’d been through a lot together, and Viv had become like a sister to Layla. “Enough about me. How was your week?”

Before Viv could answer, a loud explosion rocked the restaurant, throwing Layla backward onto the ground. She took a deep breath as the air filled with acrid smoke, and then her world went black.

CHAPTER
TWO

NCIS Agent Izzy Cole was almost at the Old Town Grille when the explosion happened. Without hesitation, she started to run as fast as she could toward the billowing black smoke, her heart pounding.

“Call 911,” she yelled to a few onlookers as she flashed her NCIS credentials.

As she made her way to the front of the building, a few flames were still burning, but she plowed forward. She had to find her friends. These women had welcomed her into their lives with open arms only months ago. She’d never had real girlfriends before, but now she didn’t know how she could live without them.

Izzy stepped through the rubble and saw multiple injured people on the ground. She stopped to check the pulse of one young woman, and when there was nothing, she kept moving forward.

One man was conscious, his arm bleeding. She squatted beside him. “Put pressure on it. Help’s on the way.”

He nodded and did as she directed.

She scanned the restaurant and spotted two women under piles of debris to her left. Fearing the worst, she ran over and started pulling away the pieces of wood and rubble until she could see Viv’s face. Her friend’s hazel eyes flickered open.

“Viv, can you hear me?” Izzy asked.

Viv nodded.

“Are you hurt? Can you move everything?”

Viv still didn’t speak but took a moment to flex her limbs and then tried to sit up. “Yeah, I think so. Layla. Where’s Layla?” Her eyes widened.

Izzy feared shock was setting in. “Let me check. I think she’s right over here.”