Page 10 of Turbulent Fires

Both Chloe and I turn to look at her. She’s stunning, with a dark braid slung over one shoulder, aviator sunglasses perched on her nose, and flawless brown skin that can’t be bought. Her confidence might even exceed mine. She lifts her iced coffee in a silent toast.

“Thank you,” Chloe says with a laugh.

“Don’t mind me eavesdropping 'cause you two are much louder than you might think,” she says. “I’m Dana.”

I gaze at her for a moment, her face seeming very familiar. My eyes widen in shock as her name registers. “Wait! Are you —?”

She cuts me off. “Dana Jensen.” She pulls off her sunglasses. “Used to be CIA. Now, I’m simply a badass female looking for my next adventure.”

Chloe’s jaw drops. “I know you. You were a huge part in taking down that—”

Dana waves her hand in the air. “That’s all in the past. What’s important is you,” she says as she points at me. “Take it from a woman who finds it incredibly hard to find a man equal to me, let alone, tougher. That man sounds like a dream, and if you aren’t going for him, please send him my way.”

I’m instantly jealous, which I don’t understand. I’m not intimidated by most females, but this woman could give me a run for my money. “I didn’t say I won’tevergo out with him. Just not right then,” I tell her.

She laughs as she raises her brow. “Did he walk away with his tail between his legs?”

“No,” I admit. “It’s why the man’s still on my mind. I’d normally have forgotten him by now.”

“Then he’s worth a date,” Dana says.

“And, you’re clearly interested,” Chloe adds.

“I’m not saying I’m interested; I’m just saying, I’m not fully dismissing him.”

Dana stands as she gives us both a once-over. “Here’s some unwanted advice from someone who’s been shot at more than she’s been kissed — if you feel a spark of something real, don’t run. Otherwise, you’re going to have that naggingwhat ifwhispering in your ear for the rest of your life as more and more people fail you.” Then, before we can respond, she turns and walks off, her empty coffee cup tossed with perfect aim into the trash can about twenty feet away. I turn back and look at Chloe, not sure how to feel.

“She was terrifying,” I say.

“And sexy as hell. Almost makes me want to switch teams.” We both laugh.

“If I could find a man that strong, I’d be a goner.”

“You might have, but you ran.”

I sit back and watch people stroll past as they laugh and sip drinks, living their lives like everything is perfectly normal. They don’t have the internal struggles I deal with every moment of my life. Then again, maybe they do. We never show our true selves to strangers. We want them to only see the best in us because, for some strange reason, we care more about what strangers think about us than what those we love the most think. How messed up is that?

“Okay, maybe I am scared.”

Chloe instantly reaches over and pats my hand. “That’s the first step in fixing yourself.”

“It’s not that I don’t want to have something meaningful. I don’t want to lose myself or compromise to the point that I don’t know who I am.”

“You’re far too strong for that, Aud. Just as I am. Plus, we have each other to help pull us out of sticky or messy situations, if, or more accurately when, we land in the wrong place.”

“I don’t know why any of this matters. I most likely won’t see this man again. He was simply a passenger on a plane going to a destination. I don’t even know where he’s from.”

“Then maybe he isn’t the one, but this can be a lesson for the next time. I think the strongest women are those who stop running and face whatever is chasing them.” My phone rings and it’s a blocked number. I hit end, but my heart skips a little beat. Chloe looks at me.

“Mystery call?” she asks.

“Most likely a sales call.” I can’t help but wonder if this mysterious Wolf really will track me down. I don’t see how it’s possible, but maybe that’s what I’m waiting for. Again, I don’t understand what’s wrong with me.

I sip on my latte and continue to stir, gazing at the swirl of vanilla and espresso like it can give me answers or hypnotize me into being a bit less stubborn.

I look up and grin at Chloe. “Okay, if I run into this mysterious Wolf again, I might accept an offer of a date...ifhe’s bold enough to make it.”

“And if another man asks you out who makes your stomach flutter?”

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