“I don’t trust easily.”

Ginny made the comment to June and waited for the counselor to speak. When she did not, Ginny continued, “And not just men.”

At that statement, June nodded and said, “I can certainly understand the trust issues with men, although we have talked about differentiating between those who hurt you and all men. But tell me more about the not trusting women.”

“I told you how we women banded together to gain justice. We filed complaints together, worked together and, I thought, really bonded. But in the end, most got scared…or tired of fighting. Anyway, one by one they started begging me to just let it drop. I didn’t, but I felt really alone.” Shrugging, she added, “I always thought women would stick together…should stick together.”

“Everyone handles their pain differently. For each of those women, the pressures inside and from the outside would have brought out different responses. For some, flight. For others, like yourself, fight. As a police officer, you know that is why many women don’t report sexual assault. The response is different for everyone.” June watched Ginny fiddle with the stress ball in her hands before asking, “Why does this come up now?”

Ginny shook her head in derision and said, “God, the reason is so stupid.” Continuing to squeeze the rubber ball, she finally placed it back on June’s desk, heaving a sigh. “I’m supposed to meet up with some women in town…friends of mine, but I’ve never hung out with them before.”

“And that scares you?”

“Terrifies me!”

“Because?”

Huffing, Ginny said, “What do I talk about? If I talk about myself, how do I know I can trust them? So, do I just sit there and listen to them talk about wedding planning and say nothing?”

June leaned forward and asked, “Do you want to meet with them? Do you have any feelings for them or do you feel forced to hang out with them?”

“No, not forced. And they’re really nice. Always nice to me. Some are with my co-workers. Most are in the Auxiliary, so I know them from there too. But that’s different. That’s business. And they’ve been friends for a long time…I’m just a newcomer.”

June smiled at Ginny as she leaned back and said, “I think you need to identify what about them bothers you. Why you are so nervous.”

Hesitantly, Ginny replied, “It’s…what if I really have a good time…and…you know…”

“What?”

“And then I really like them…and they…” huffing out a breath of air, Ginny sat up straighter and said, “This is dumb. I’m not afraid of a bunch of women. The truth of the matter is that they intimidate me. There. I’ve said it.”

“But you are afraid of…?”

Pinching her lips for a moment, Ginny replied, “Tori, Jillian, and Katelyn all exude such confidence.” Seeing June’s wide-eyed surprise, Ginny hurried, “I’m confident as a cop…but as a woman? Fun small-talk with a group of women? What the hell do they talk about? I don’t know fashion. Makeup for me is a swipe of mascara and lip gloss. My nails haven’t seen polish since before the Army. My clothes include my police uniform, exercise clothes, and a few pairs of shorts and t-shirts. My shoes are steel-toed boots and running shoes. I have one pair of flip-flops and one pair of dress pumps. I think I own two dresses…one I bought for a funeral and one is a simple wrap dress bought for Tori and Mitch’s wedding last year and re-worn for my date with Brogan.” Huffing, her shoulders slumped at her admission.

“Wow,” June said. “You hate being objectified as a woman and, yet, did you not just do that with the other women? Assuming they only talk about makeup and clothes?”

The small room became quiet as Ginny’s mouth opened and closed several times, wanting to refute June’s observation but unable to do so. June appeared satisfied to allow the silence to slide over them, giving Ginny time to consider her tangled thoughts.

Dropping her head, staring at her hands, she sighed heavily. “Oh, wow. You’re right. I did to them exactly what I hate being done to me.”

“So…” June prodded, “what really bothers you…what really holds you back?”

“I guess I hate the idea of having a good time and then having them abandon me. By the time I got out of the Army, I was alone. Almost completely alone. Like I had some kind of contagious disease. I got used to being alone.”

June nodded in understanding. “No one can promise that you won’t meet others in your life that abandon you at times, but only you can decide if this group of women is worth the risk of friendship. Because friendship, like love, is a risk.”

Ginny thought on those words as she left the counseling office. She had taken a risk on Brogan…now it was time to take a risk on friends.

* * *

The group gathered at Mitch’s bayside cabin, which used to belong to his grandfather and was used as a fishing cabin many years ago. It was stark compared to the nice rental cabins, being furnished simply, but the family had enjoyed many meals on the wooden deck and sing-a-longs around the fire pit. Now, it belonged to Mitch and he used it to host parties and cookouts with his friends.

This afternoon, a group of friends, all belonging to the American Legion, met to have an informal officers’ meeting. Mitch, at the grill, was arguing with Grant over the proper way to cook fish, while Callan, Jason, Gareth, and Zac lounged around the deck drinking. Aiden and Brogan walked together, carrying a cooler of beer, setting it down amongst the friends. Ginny, as usual the lone female, carried out a platter of chips, a large salad bowl, and condiments.

Grinning, Brogan turned and took the platter from her. As he set it on the table, he noticed the stares coming his way. “What?” he groused, glaring at them. “Just ‘cause we’re dating shouldn’t make a difference to you all.”

“Hate to break it to you, Bro, but the way you’ve made goo-goo eyes at Ginny for the past two years, it’s hardly new to us to see the way you two look at each other. Nice, but hardly new,” Zac grinned.

Ginny blushed and Zac threw his arm around her shoulders and whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear, “If you ever get tired of dating the grumpy giant, just let me know.” He kissed the top of her head before ducking Brogan’s raised fist.

“Now, now, boys,” Ginny called out, slipping out from under Zac’s arm and sliding up to Brogan. “Play nice.”

Brogan wrapped his arm around Ginny pulling her into his side. “I’ll play nice as long as he keeps his hands to himself.”

Zac threw his head back in laughter as he slapped Brogan on the shoulder. Taking his beer, he headed back to his chair. “Good to see you two happy.”

Brogan glanced around, seeing the same expression on the others’ faces, before he felt a slight punch to his gut. Looking down in surprise, Ginny’s fist was still pressed against his abs. “You okay?”

Leaning over to place a light kiss on her lips, he grinned, “More ‘n okay, baby.”

“Fish is up,” Mitch called and soon the group was sitting around the deck, plates filled with fresh caught and grilled fish. Shouting greetings to Lance, as he walked up from the beach, they shifted their seats, making room for him.

After discussing the upcoming practices for the AL teams and the agenda items for the next meeting, the conversation rolled to the news article that had appeared that morning in the Baytown Herald.

“You see the mayor’s nephew in the picture, standing by Corwin? Says he’s here studying small town infrastructure. Guy looks like he’s never done a day’s work in his life. And I’ve watched him eye the girls on the beach as he walks through town,” Callan said, filling his plate before sitting back down. “And, hell, the teen girls are all over him. I noticed him at the harbor over the past couple of weeks as he goes out in his boat.”

“Just what we need, another Banks strolling through town as though they own it,” Zac said through bites of corn on the cob.

“Anything we should be on the lookout for?” Aiden asked.

“So far, we’re looking for a white male, but have no prints, no age, and not much to go on, although we got a partial shoe print from the last reported sighting,” Grant added.

“Yeah, but are you looking at more than one person?” Gareth asked. “What’d you find out on that one lead we found?”

“That appears to be a dead end. He’s not a person of interest.”

“I’m so frustrated,” Ginny admitted. “It’s like looking for a needle in a haystack. Even in this little town, we’ve got people who are out and about all the time, so it’s not unusual to see a man or teen walking along the street, cutting through yards and alleys. We’re a beach community with the only public beach in the area, so there are always visitors. On top of that, with the weekly rental, vacation houses, who knows who is walking around today and then gone tomorrow.”

“It’s someone here,” a deep, soft voice said.

Everyone turned and looked at Lance, stunned that he had entered the conversation, unusual silence hitting the group.

“Someone who has had the time to scope out the places where he’s most likely to find someone to stimulate him.” Lance looked at Ginny, and added, “They need overt stimulation for masturbation to lead to an orgasm.”

“Jesus,” Mitch said, staring at Lance, knowing his proclivity for privacy. Looking at the surprised faces of the group, he said, “We met in the Army and worked together on a case when I was with the FBI.” Gaining a nod from Lance, he continued, “Lance worked as a criminal investigator with CID in the Army.”

Stunned, the group remained quiet, but Ginny was now fascinated. “Do they always peer in windows to find someone when they need to masturbate? Why would someone peer into a living room window, for example?”

“Could be they just want to check out the inhabitants. They might be searching for a young teen, a woman, a child—”

Gasps resounded from the others, but Brogan cursed, “Oh, hell no!”

Lance nodded slowly. “Whether you want to face it or not, some men are only sexually excited with a child.”

Zac tossed his dinner back to his plate. “That’s so fucked.”

“I don’t think that’s what we’re dealing with,” Mitch said. “All indications are that he is looking for women.”

“He’ll slip up,” Lance said. “Sometime, he’ll make a mistake.”

“I hope it’s sooner than later,” Ginny replied. “Before he steps up his game.”

* * *

That night, Ginny walked hesitantly toward the front door of the Sea Glass Inn. Stopping on the wide, front porch, she looked around. Across the street from the large bed and breakfast was the town beach, the breeze blowing in from the Chesapeake Bay. She knew Tori had inherited the inn from her grandmother and when she came back to run it, had also run into her childhood friends. Mitch had been one of those and the two quickly took up where they left off over ten years ago. She and Mitch now lived in their own house nearby, but Tori was at the inn almost every day, even though she now had a live-in manager there. Glancing down at her shorts and flip-flops, she had second thoughts, realizing she would be grossly underdressed for one of Tori’s get togethers.

With her hand halted in mid-air before she knocked, Ginny was surprised when the door opened suddenly and Tori grinned. “I thought I saw you walk up. Come on back,” she invited and led the way through the beautiful old inn. “I’ve still got the kitchen, deck, and back yard as my private place where guests aren’t allowed,” Tori called out. “It makes for a nice gathering place.”

Ginny’s gaze darted around, noting the antique furniture, exquisite artwork, and homey touches from Tori’s grandmother’s day. Following Tori, she breathed a sigh of relief seeing Tori in denim capris and flip-flops on her feet, as well. Entering the kitchen, she grinned at the number of open wine bottles and accepted the glass handed to her by her hostess before they stepped through the sliding glass doors onto a beautiful deck. Flower pots lined the edges and the backyard held lights in the trees, offering a surreal, nighttime vision.

Suddenly nervous, Ginny blushed at all the eyes now staring at her. Jillian, Katelyn, Jade, and Belle were in loungers and, from the looks of their happy faces, were definitely not on their first glass of wine.

Belle was the only one in a sundress and, as though she could read Ginny’s mind, she swept her hand over her outfit and said, “I’m in nursing scrubs all day, so whenever I can put on a dress, I do.” Giggling, she added, “And since I buy them on sale at Walmart, I can have a closet full!”

“Come on, have a seat,” Tori invited, her smile indicating to Ginny that she must have noticed her reticence.

“Uh, sure. Thanks for inviting me.”

“Glad you joined us!” Jillian said, her eyes warm and inviting.

After a few minutes, Belle turned to Ginny and asked, “Before you came, we were talking about the article in the newspaper about the peeping tom. Should we be worried?”

Ginny looked at the pretty brunette, her shy nature seeming to lesson with her third glass of wine. “I think every woman should take precautions. Keeping your blinds closed or curtains drawn at night is key—”

“I also read that if you plant thorny bushes under your windows, especially the windows at your bedroom, it can help,” Jillian said. “Although, Grant resisted, saying he didn’t want to deal with thorns next to where he mows.”

“A nice little cactus garden would work,” Jade surmised, only to frown at the laughter coming from Katelyn.

“Girl, a peeper isn’t going to be walking around barefoot. A little cactus garden would get totally stepped on by some pervert in boots. He’d be squashing your baby cacti and whacking off at the same time!”

“Why is the plural of cactus cacti?” Jillian asked, her fourth glass of wine kicking in.

“Who cares about cactus or cacti?” Tori said, turning back to Ginny. “I want to hear about the peeping toms. I can’t stand the thought that someone is doing this in our town.”

“That’s like octopi,” Jade said, looking at Jillian.

“I’ll bet it’s more common than we think,” Belle replied to Ginny.

“I know!” Jillian enthused. “That’s so crazy. But then I don’t suppose it should be octopuses.”

Jade snorted as she repeated, “Octopuses. That sounds like a female octopus.”

Jillian fell back on the sofa, her laughter ringing out as Katelyn stared at Jade, saying, “What the hell are you two talking about?”

“I think they’re still on cactus and cacti,” Belle said, stifling her giggle behind her hand as her blue eyes twinkled.

“Well, we need to get back onto the same friggin’ topic!” Katelyn huffed. “Ginny’s not going to want to come back to one of our planning parties if we can’t behave.”

“Have we actually talked about the wedding yet?” Ginny asked, her smile lopsided as the wine hit her.

“Nope,” Jillian said. Grinning, she added, “Actually, it’s mostly planned. This just gives us a good excuse to get together, drink, talk, and have a good time.”

“Getting back to what we were talking about before Jillian and Jade went on a sea-creature rant, what is happening with the peeping tom?” Tori asked.

“We’re investigating as best we can. I just don’t want him to escalate.”

Those words had the effect of a bucket of cold water dousing the others, sobering their expressions quickly.

“Oh, Jesus,” Jade said, flopping back, forcing the air out of her lungs in a rush. “I never thought about that.”

“A rapist?” Tori whispered, as though the very words would bring one forth.

“Not every voyeur becomes a rapist, but almost every rapist spent time as a voyeur,” Ginny explained.

“How can we help?” Jillian asked, her eyes flashing with anger.

Ginny smiled, “Stay vigilant, observant, and watch out for each other.”

“I hear the mayor and town manager want to run an article refuting that there’s a problem,” Tori said.

“Those two jackasses are such weasels, they should be stripped and run through the town to see how they like being looked at!” Katelyn hooted.

Jillian snorted, spitting out her wine, laughter spilling from her lips. “Oh, lordy, what a vision you just put in my head.”

By the third glass of wine, Ginny knew her smile was slipping out more often. She had dreaded the gathering, unused to a group of women talking and having fun. Their conversations covered the town, their jobs, the Auxiliary, and the upcoming plans for the block party.

She relaxed in the deep cushions of the outdoor furniture and watched as Jillian and Katelyn tried to teach Jade how to line dance. Jade was not very coordinated but began to get the hang of the steps, in spite of her tipsiness.

“Come on, ladies!” Katelyn called out to the others, running over to pull Tori up from her seat as Jillian pulled on Belle’s hand. “Time for dancing!”

Jade planted her hands on her hips and looked at Ginny. “The fact that you’re a cop is kind of intimidating, but if I have to make a fool of myself, so do you.”

Much to Ginny’s surprise, she allowed herself to be pulled up from her chair and began to dance, her laughter bubbling forth, mixing in with the other women’s.

At the end of the song, she turned to the others, her cheeks blushing, and blurted, “I need lingerie.”

The others stopped and stared, their silent questioning causing her to rush on. “I never worried about underwear, but now I’d like something pretty. All I’ve got is basic, boring white. No lace. Just plain Jane underwear.” Looking at Katelyn, she said, “Since I’m dating your brother, I guess that weirds you out, doesn’t it?”

Katelyn grinned sloppily and said, “Nope. It’s about time Brogan got some and I like you. So, you can give it to my brother anytime you want.”

Belle swayed, stumbling slightly, with a confused expression on her face. “Why is Ginny giving Brogan her underwear?”

Snorting, Jillian said, “She’s not giving him her underwear! She’s giving him sex.”

Belle blushed, then laughed as Tori grabbed her hand and twirled her around to the music.

Jillian threw her arm around Ginny and said, “No worries, girlie. We’ll get you sorted. We’ll go shopping!”

“I don’t get a lot of time off right now.”

“Victoria Secret online!” Jillian shouted, throwing her hands into the air as she danced around in a circle.

Within a few minutes, Tori had her laptop opened to the VS website and the ordering began. Embarrassed, Ginny attempted to call a halt to the proceedings, but the others were on a mission.

“You’ve got great boobs, so show ‘em off, sweetie,” Jillian said.

As the other women stared at her chest, Ginny blushed, giving them her measurements. She watched in awe as Tori began clicking.

“Do you want demi, push up, or just sexy?”

“I never really liked padded bras,” Jade said. “I always wondered what the guy would say when he got the girl naked and instead of getting what he thought was a big handful, all he got was small.”

“I agree,” Katelyn said. “Might as well let them know what they’re getting right away.”

Belle looked down at her chest and sighed. “Yes, but with my curves, sometimes I think that’s all a man sees.” Looking up, she added, “I try to minimize what I can.”

Ginny’s head darted back and forth, trying to keep up with the conversation, before giving up and leaning over Tori’s shoulder, seeing what she was ordering. “Wait, wait,” Ginny protested. “I can’t afford all that.”

Jillian’s smile slid over her face as she threw her arms around Ginny’s shoulders. “Sweetie, consider this to be an early birthday present from all of us. Or Christmas. Whatever.”

Seeing Ginny about to protest, Katelyn leaned forward. “Look girl, if you’re banging my brother, who was in serious need of getting some…and not just from anyone, but from you…this is truly a gift from a grateful sister!”

“Done!” Tori announced, closing her laptop with a snap, before draining her glass. “Now, dance time!”

Wondering if she should have tried harder to keep her mouth shut, Ginny began to dance with the others, secretly excited for the lingerie to be delivered.

Soon, the rumble of deep laughter met their ears as they turned, slightly inebriated, to see who was on the patio with them. Brogan, Mitch, Grant, Gareth, and Aiden were standing with their arms crossed, each fighting a smile.

Aiden opened his arms and said, “Looks like I’ll take care of these ladies’ tonight,” and hugged Jade and Belle as they fell into him. Looking to the others, he called, “I’ll get ‘em home safe,” before leading them back through the house.

Katelyn stood on her toes and kissed her brother before falling into Gareth’s embrace. With a giggle and wave, they left as well.

As Mitch collected Tori, he looked over at Ginny and said, “It appears I won the bet.”

Ginny grinned and nodded, “Yeah, seems I was wrong about how much fun I would have.” Looking at Tori, she added, “Thanks for including me.”

Grant snuggled Jillian next to him as Ginny walked straight into Brogan’s embrace. Before the others left, Tori said, “The girls are worried about the voyeur. Just thought I’d let you know.”

Mitch nodded, “Yeah. I decided to do a press conference tomorrow and see what we can do with public awareness.”

With a wave, the three couples moved out into the night, each heading to their vehicles.

Brogan looked down at Ginny, her smile warming his heart. “I was a little worried,” he said. “Wasn’t sure it was your scene.”

Laughing, she replied, “I wasn’t sure it was either. But I had a good time.”

After getting Ginny settled, Brogan climbed into his old truck and asked, “How drunk are you?”

“Just a little tipsy, why?”

“I don’t want to take advantage of you, but I sure as hell want you tonight,” he said, grinning.

His deep voice curled inside of her, waking her up as her core immediately tingled. “Oh, that can be arranged,” she agreed. “Just take me home, honey. Just take me home.”