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After speaking with the police, I replaced some of Kaylee’s gifts and headed home.

What a shitty day.I was so pissed. Who had sent them after me?

“Excuse me,” said the woman who sat next to me. She had a pretty face with wavy brown hair and sharp eyes. “Are you okay?” She gestured to my neck. “You have a scratch.”

I didn’t need to see the EMT for a minor scratch. “I’m more angry than hurt. Thanks for asking.”

“It’s a good thing you know self-defense. I would’ve been bruised all over. My name is Elena Sanchez, and I’m a journalist for the local news station.”

“Vivian Vo. It’s nice to meet you.”

She smiled. “I also run an online newspaper called the Musepaper that empowers women and shares inspiring news. I would love to interview you for a write-up on women defending themselves. Not right now, of course.” She gave me her card. “Whenever you’re ready. People need to hear good news. People need to be inspired these days. There’s too much bad stuff out there.”

I took her card and placed it in my purse. “Thanks. I’ll think about it.”

“Brace yourself for your fifteen minutes of fame,” she said.

“What do you mean?”

“People were recording the incident on their phones. You know how social media can twist things around. It could also go viral.”

Shit.I didn’t want this to affect my dental practice.

“Thanks for the warning.”

As I got into my car,my phone rang with Kaylee’s name flashing across the screen. Several text messages came from my friends’ group chat.

I picked up the call. “Hi, Kaylee.”

“Was that you fighting those women?”

“Did it look like me?”

“I recognized you even though your face wasn’t clear. It was your snake and crane stances. Who the hell were those women?”

“Language.”

“Sorry. But I’m so mad!”

Warmth bloomed in my chest.

“I’m not hurt.”

“Yeah, but you could’ve been.” She huffed. “If I’d been there, I would’ve kicked their asses . . . I mean butts.”

“You don’t know self-defense yet.”

“But I will. Ugh!I’m soooo mad.”

I could imagine her face turning red. It felt nice to have a little sister wanting to defend me.

My anger subsided.“They were on drugs, and the police got them. So it’s all good.” I frowned. “Where’s Violet?”

“Violet went to the bathroom. Her mom got roped into talking to some lady trying to sell lotion. I’m sitting in the massage chair browsing the internet. The fight has over a million views already on Real Rumors!”

Kids these days spent too much time on social media. “Don’t believe everything you see or read online.”

“I know, but this time it’s real. And you were attacked.” Her voice softened.