Page 32 of Chain Reaction
Raven awoke early, just as she always did. She enjoyed mornings to herself—having time to drink some coffee and center herself before things got too crazy.
The fact Jake was sleeping in her living room made her linger in bed longer. After they’d eaten their ice cream last night, she’d told him there were two spare bedrooms. He’d insisted on taking the couch, had said it was the best place to keep an eye on things.
Then he’d grabbed some extra pillows and blankets and made himself comfortable.
Cassidy had also stopped by to pick up the bomb remnant so she could keep it at the station. Raven had run her initial testing on it. The rest would be done at a lab.
She felt better knowing the evidence was safe.
Though Raven really wanted to get some coffee and go about her normal routine, Jake had thrown all that off. If she allowed, he could send her emotions into another tailspin.
Just pretend I’m not here.
Yeah, right.
She still couldn’t believe they’d run into each other again. This wasn’t supposed to happen. She wanted to put that part of her life behind her. But it appeared she’d have no such luck.
Finally, after lying in bed entirely too long, she decided to get dressed.
She hopped in the shower and then threw on some black jeans and a white top—an outfit that was professional yet functional.
With a touch of hesitation, she opened her door and stepped out.
It was only 7:30, so there was a chance Jake could still be asleep. However, back when she’d known him, he’d never been much of a sleeper either. Maybe things had changed.
When she walked into the living room, Jake was sitting on the couch with a steaming mug of coffee in front of him and a book on his lap.
She paused and squinted. That was a Bible, wasn’t it?
Back when they’d been together, he’d said he was a believer, but he hadn’t gone to church consistently or ever even talked about his faith or the Bible.
Raven’s faith had always been the most important thing to her, and she’d known there was an imbalance between the two of them.
However, she’d still allowed herself to get swept up in the moment.
Now she knew without a doubt that faith was the most important thing she could have in common with the person she fell in love with. In the time that had passed since they’d last seen each other, she’d matured.
And, apparently, so had Jake.
Jake glanced up at her, and a slow smile spread across his face.
Her heart pounded harder.
Why did he have to be so handsome? Just the sight of him made her throat go dry. And when she smelled that sandalwood and citrus cologne . . . she forgot everything else.
That wasn’t a good thing . . .
She pulled herself together and nodded. “Good morning.”
“I made some coffee if you’d like some.”
“That sounds great. I’m just glad there was some coffee here.” Raven hadn’t been sure how stocked the kitchen might be, and she hadn’t had time to go to the store, as Jake had pointed out last night.
“I had one of my colleagues bring some by along with cream and sugar. I was operating under the assumption you still made your coffee that way. If not, I apologize.”
Something about his thoughtfulness made her nearly stumble over an imaginary log on the floor. “You remember.”
She couldn’t hide the shock from her voice.
