Page 131 of Hidden Ascent

“Now that you’re being honest with me, I have a question for you.”

“Should I be worried?”

He grinned. “You remember the way you looked at Whitlock in that photo?”

“Yes.”

“You said it didn’t represent how you really felt. Was that true?”

“I lied.”

“Then I want you to know—” He took hold of her jacket and pulled her closer, looking into her eyes with a desperate longing that stole her breath. “Nothing about how I felt about you has changed,” he whispered.

“Why didn’t you come to Peter’s?”

“The same reason you were afraid to find me now. I wouldn’t have been able to face you if you’d moved on.”

“I haven’t. Not at all. I’ve missed you so much. I’m sorry for ever treating you like you weren’t good enough for me.”

“I’ll get over it.”

He dipped his head and kissed her, and this time, she didn’t worry about losing herself in it.

When they pulled apart, he took her face in his hands.

“I’m not usually one for public displays of affection,” he said. “But I think I earned that one.”

He slipped his arm around her and led her down the sidewalk. “Want to go watch a basketball game?”

She leaned into him. “Only if you take me out after.”

“Isla, I’m never going to let you go again.”

Epilogue

Isla pulledthe car over to the curb but kept it running while she checked her emails. They were having a heatwave, and she planned to savor her last moments of coolness.

Glancing across the park, she could see a group already gathering. Several large oak trees would offer shade during the training. That was something, at least.

A list of emails populated the screen, and she groaned. That’s what happened when you took a couple of days off work. She scanned for anything urgent and tapped on one that she’d respond to before heading for the park.

As she finished pecking out the message, a knock came at her window.

She jumped, then scowled at the window before buzzing it down. “You scared me.”

Jay grinned. “Don’t tell me I caught Isla Taylor, agent extraordinaire, off guard.”

“I’m finishing up an email, then I’ll be over.”

He leaned down and rested his arms on the window.

She looked at them. “You’re letting all the hot air in.”

“That’s a problem?”

“Is there something you wanted? Or are you here to bother me?”

“You’re touchy this morning.”

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