Page 101 of Hidden Ascent

“I don’t know. That—um—that was…wow.”

She couldn’t disagree but would never admit it. When he looked at her, she knew he was working hard not to grab her again. She couldn’t let that happen.

“We’d better get back in there.” She picked up the chair and kept it between them.

“You’re right. We need to stay focused.”

“I hope you understand this can’t happen again.”

“What? But I thought you said—”

“I said we aren’t changing the rules. It doesn’t matter how we feel, we have a job to do. I’m not ready for this. I can’t do this.”

“You can’t tell me you didn’t just feel that.”

She’d definitely felt it. In the moment of haze, she had considered the possibility of giving up the fight. She hadn’t realized how dangerous falling for someone could be. How easy it made it to turn away from what needed to be done.

“It was just a kiss.”

“Just a kiss? Right.”

“I’m gonna get a drink of water. You go ahead. I’ll be in shortly.”

He shook his head and left the room while Isla leaned back against the counter, gripping it like her life depended on it. After a couple of deep breaths, she steadied herself.

No matter what else happened, she needed to make sure that never happened again.

Chapter22

Isla knockedon the door to the third-floor office.

“Come in,” a voice boomed from within.

Isla smiled at Whitlock when she entered. “Good morning, sir.”

He looked nervous. “Is it?”

“I’m not happy about this either. But it’s what we need to do. I trust Jay explained the situation satisfactorily?”

“I wouldn’t be here if he hadn’t.”

“We appreciate your help with this, sir.”

“You may as well call me Lloyd, considering what we’re about to do.”

“I’d rather not.”

He laughed. “You want to know something funny?”

“Sure.”

“My wife’s less worried about this than I am.”

“Really? I feel sick to my stomach. No offense.”

“None taken, believe me.”

Isla went to the window and dropped the blinds but turned the slats so she could see out.

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