12 SUSPICIOUS OF THINGS

Toni didn't get much sleep and now she was preparing for a lunch she wasn't even sure was still happening. She'll find out in an hour anyway so it doesn't help worrying about it now.

She dressed carefully, a white sundress with red flowers, courtesy of Claire. She put on some lip-gloss, and then saw her scars. She should start seriously considering Claire's suggestion to get rid of them through plastic surgery. She put on a pair of cuff bracelets from one of her lines. She liked these ones; they were not flashy. Platinum band, small ruby stones forming a ring of red roses around the band. She picked a pair of black Dolce and Gabbana ballerinas and found a matching purse. Her phone rang just as she was finishing putting her hair up in a ballerina bun.

"Hello."

"Miss Mathews, I have a Joe here to pick you up. He says you are expecting him."

"Of course. I'll be right down."

She couldn't help the relief she felt at knowing Aidan still wanted to see her. She was also a little nervous that she might upset him again. She locked her door and got into the elevator to went down to the lobby.

Joe was a giant who looked a lot like a linebacker instead of a bodyguard. But then again she wouldn't know what either looks like. Aidan was just as big and she had gotten used to his size.

"Miss Mathews."

"Toni is fine."

"This way please."

He opened the door for her and led her to the town car waiting on the street. He opened the door for her and she was about to enter the car when she remembered how very trusting she was. How sure was she that this was the same Joe Aidan had meant to send?

"Could you please call Aidan?" She asked at his questioning look.

"Of course. Is something the matter?"

"Nothing at all."

He took out his phone and pressed a number. He must have him on speed dial.

"Mr. Booth, Miss Mathews would like to speak to you."

Joe handed her the phone. Toni was starting to feel foolish for being so suspicious but she needed the reassurance.

Aidan could feel a little panicked now. He had started feeling that way when he saw Joe's number lighting up his phone and wondered if Antonia had refused to accompany him. Now he was thinking that perhaps she wanted to turn him down herself.

"Antonia?"

"Aidan." He could hear what sounded like relief in her voice and couldn't figure out why that would be.

"Is something wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong. I just … I wanted to make sure."

Aidan was confused now and the panic was slowly subsiding now that he knew she wasn't cancelling.

"Make sure of what?"

"That you are the one who sent the car."

Aidan couldn't help wondering what Toni had been through to be so suspicious of things but for some reason he felt glad that she had called to make sure before getting into the car. Her safety had become paramount to him.

"I'm definitely glad you checked before getting into the car. I should have called first to give you a heads up." She laughed softly at that.

"I'm glad you don't find me weird then."

"Never." He heard a little shuffle and the car door closing behind her, a few seconds later, a little thank you obviously directed at Joe.

"I'll see you in a few minutes then."

"Ok." She hung up then and Aidan couldn't help the excitement that rushed through him.