The Bound Between Us

Chapter 563

Monica shot Anastasia a suspicious look. "Ana, why are you always trying to set me up with Jason? Spill the beans. Is there some kind of plot? Did Jason bribe you or something?"

"Given your history with guys, I just don't want you to get hurt again. A cop like Jason seems like a safe bet to me. Who's gonna mess with you then?" Anastasia chuckled. "You're sharp when it comes to suspecting me, but with guys, you're an open book-no caution at all. Friendship over romance, huh?" "Come on," Monica looped her arm through Anastasia's, grinning. "You'll always be my number one. Guys just get whatever's left. Oh, and Jason invited me over for dinner the other night." "That's progress, isn't it?" Anastasia teased. "And here you were saying you're not into him."

Monica sighed. "Ana, that's what I wanted to talk to you about. The dinner was actually cooked by his housemate, Alisa. And let me tell you, it was the most awkward meal I've ever had."

"His housemate doesn't like you?" Anastasia caught on quickly. "Jason's an only child. What housemate are you talking about?"

"That's the messed-up part," Monica said. "I didn't piece it together until I got home. Alisa... she's got a thing for Jason. She's the widow of his army buddy, Will, who died saving Jason. Now Jason's looking after Alisa and her daughter, like they're his own family." Anastasia understood. "Knowing Jason, he wouldn't just abandon Alisa and her kid."

"I'm not that into Jason to begin with, so I'm not going to step into that mess," Monica declared. "Alisa works at the grocery store and relies on Jason's support. He's her rock, her lifeline. Why would I go and snatch that away from her? Plus, if Jason were my guy and he's still financially supporting another woman, I definitely wouldn't be cool with that."

Monica was known for her sharp tongue but soft heart, always feeling for those less fortunate.

"You'll find someone else. There's no shortage of good

so Anastasia didn't stick around. After some idle chatter,

fickle as ever-pouring one minute and clear the

the rain started again,

her to pull over. She popped the hood in the pouring rain, quickly realizing she'd need a

wind howled like a pack of

car,

in the alley, and she could hear crying, but was it just

only to find she had

wasn't a remote area; why would there

her spine as

restarting her phone, oblivious to the figure