Page 40 of The Spy Ring

Jagger nodded.

Tom sighed. “She knew. One day she sat me down and talked to me about burnout. It’s not an easy life, and most agents don’t do it long-term for a reason. I thought it odd after our talk that she invited me to a barbeque she was having that weekend.”

“Katlin Chester? The walking, talking, government robot. She invited you to a party at her place?” Jagger asked with wide eyes.

“I know, crazy. I didn’t even realize she owned a home. I just thought she slept at the office. The woman is all work and zero emotion. Anyway, I go to the barbeque and that’s where I meet Nina. After dating her for a few months, I knew it was time to walk away.”

“I guess when you two met, you were ready for something new, both professionally and personally,” I said.

“Not so much new. More like, I was ready to face my fears and open my heart.”

We stood for a moment in silence. I smiled up at Tom. His gaze flipped between Jagger and me before he slapped him on the shoulder. “I’ve got to get back. I’m glad you found happiness, Jagger.”

Once he left, Jagger turned and as his eyes landed on me, it all came back at once. The heat. The electricity. And all that intensity seemed to drown out the noise and melt away the people around us.

“I need to talk to you, Tiffany. I meant to tell you three days ago when I came over and David invited me here.”

Something propelled me forward, away from him. I needed the sounds and the lights and the zip of the karts as they raced by. Anything to ground me. To hold me up as I knew Jagger was about to knock me down.

I stood at the edge of the track. A hard, thick, white plastic fence kept the speeding vehicles from plowing into me. Something about that was thrilling and terrifying at the same time. And yet, I’d rather feel that, be dangerously close to that edge, than hear what Jagger had to say.

“Okay, so talk.” I forced the words out.

He was going to leave us. What Tom had to say made it obvious. It was too dangerous for him to be close to David and me. I should be happy about that. It’s what I wanted.

Why would I rather be hit by a speeding kart than hear his last words to me?

“It’s about the ninja lessons and me coming over to your place,” he said.

I closed my eyes to steel against the impending blow. This was going to devastate David. He talked about Jagger all the time.

“What about that?”

I could barely breathe as I forced the tears back. He wasn’t right for my family, but that didn’t stop me from caring about him. This was for the best. I just had to tell myself that over and over again until I believed it.

“I can’t be David’s ninja instructor anymore. I only came here today to wish David a happy birthday, drop off his gift, and give you something. Then, I’m afraid, I can’t see you anymore.”

I nodded. My eyes burned but I couldn’t look at him.

“I’ll leave David’s gifts with the others,” he said, and I glanced over at the table full of presents against the wall. “But this one, it’s for you. Please understand, we can’t happen. As much as I want . . . never mind. We just can’t.”

I felt his hand on mine and when I looked down, I noticed a gift bag hanging from my curled fingers. When I turned around, he was gone. Glancing toward the front of the building, I saw the door closing and a tall figure leaving.

Sitting, I opened the bag. There was a note which I ignored. I knew what he had to say in it and I didn’t want to read that right now. So, I opened the box. It was a candy bracelet. My lips curled into a sad smile.

Taking a breath, I got the courage to pick up the note.

You’re like this candy bracelet, Tiffany. A never-ending loop of sweetness and joy. And I don’t want to spoil your goodness with my bitter life. I’ll never forget you. - Jagger

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