"Alright, so how are we going to arrange this?" I asked.
"Let me just give him a call now and then I'll call you right back."
"Sure."
I hung up the call just as Lieutenant Todd approached me.
"Is everything alright, Miss Andrews? Was that your boyfriend on the phone?"
I couldn't exactly call Everett my boyfriend, but the way he was making sure I'd be protected sure felt like it. That realization suddenly made things seem a lot more real!
"Uh, yeah, it was," I replied because it was easier than trying to explain what Everett actually was...especially since I wasn't really sure myself.
"Is he going to be able to escort you home, or would you like us to do that? We're happy to help you out, but we do need an answer kinda soon."
"He's just asking a friend if he'll be able to help. He's going to call me back in a minute or two."
"Alright, we're just tying up all the loose ends around here."
He wandered off, and I waited for the phone to ring, which it did after about a minute.
"Hi, beautiful," Everett's voice sent a shiver of delight down my spine.
"Hey," I replied. "So what's the verdict? What must I do?"
"I spoke to Jimmy. He's happy to help out. What you can do now is ask the cops to escort you to Jimmy M. Knight's veterinary practice. They should know where it is. He's going to close up soon, and then he'll head with you to my place. We're near him right now, so I'll drop my house keys off with him. You and him can stay at my house until I get back, and then we'll figure out further details regarding what we need to do."
"Alright, that sounds good," I replied.
"Okay, you got that? Jimmy M. Knight's veterinary practice," Everett repeated.
"I got it. Thank you so much, Everett. I appreciate it. I'll let you know when I get to Jimmy's."
"Sure thing. I'll keep you updated about my situation too."
"Goodbye, Everett."
"Bye, Vivienne."
"Wait!" I blurted out.
"Yeah?"
"There's one more thing," I said, feeling a little nervous about how he would react to what I was about to say.
"Alright, what is it?"
"I... I miss you," I said, blushing furiously as the words came out of my mouth.
"I miss you too," he replied instantly, without hesitation, and I could tell from his tone that his words were genuine.
"I'm glad you feel that way," I said.
"I do... absolutely."
"I'll talk to you later, Everett."
"That you will. Let me know when you're there safe," he reminded me.