Ranger's Bargain Chapter 8
Pulling out her cellphone, Steph dials Ranger's number.
"Yo."
"I don't need a bodyguard. I'm sure it's just somebody playing a joke on me. I have friends, you know."
"I know, Steph, but what if this person isn't your friend?"
"But what if it is, Ranger? It would be all over the burg within minutes that I brought a bodyguard to meet a friend. What would my mom say?"
"I'm sorry, Stephanie, but you need a bodyguard. There's a good chance that this person isn't a friend of yours. Now either you can choose the bodyguard or I will. Your choice."
"That's no choice, Ranger."
"So you want me to choose for you, Babe?"
"What? No, I'll choose."
Pause.
Greater pause.
"Your choice, Steph?"
"Hal. I'll take Hal."
"I don't think so, Babe. Not after what you did to him the last time you met him. Pick somebody else."
"Fine. How about Amy? At least that way it won't be as obvious that I have a bodyguard."
"She'll be there at 9:30pm." Click.
"Ugh. Not again. Stupid phone manners."
"Talk."
"New Assignment. Steph's 9:30pm tonight."
"What? No Boss. I'm not shadowing Steph because you screwed up again."
"I'm not asking you to. She's expecting you. You're to be her bodyguard to the Merry Go Round. Someone wants to meet her there at 10 tonight. I expect you to protect her with your life if needed."
"Yeah, yeah. I'm getting combat pay for this, right?"
"Of course."
Ok. I have about 3 hours to kill until I get my surprise. Crap. I only have 3 hours. Help! What am I supposed to wear? I'm sure it's just one of my friends playing a trick on me. What do I have that I would wear on a date? I'm thinking something dressy, but not too dressy and not slutty either. Mabye dressy casual. Yes, that would work. Now what do I have that is dressy casual? Leafing through her closet, Steph finally pulls out a dress she bought recently and hasn't had a chance to wear, yet. It was a pink floral print smocked sundress.
Nowwhat time is it? Crap I only have an hour and a half left to shower and tame my hair and put on makeup and clothes. I have to hurry. Steph grabs the dress and some underwear and heads into the bathroom to take a shower. She showers in a record 35 minutes. Well it was a record for her anyway. Then she proceeds to try and tame her hair for the next half hour. Finally, getting it to look semi-decent she finishes by putting on her makeup.
At exactly 9:30pm Amy knocks on Steph's door. Steph quickly puts on the finishing touches before looking through the peephole and then inviting Amy in. "I just have to grab my jacket and purse and I'll be ready to go." Steph tells Amy.
"Do you have your gun?"
"No, why would I need it?"
"Get it and make sure it has bullets in it."
"Why? I'm sure it's just one of my friends who wants to surprise me."
"Steph, it's always better to be safe than sorry. That's a lesson you should learn now, preferrably before you or someone else ends up getting hurt."
"Fine. Fine. I'll go get my gun and put bullets in it."