Page 57 of Lost (Powertools: The Shields 2)

Sola looked at Aarav, her head tilted. But when he still didn’t speak, she dusted herself off and turned her attention to the newcomer. “Oh, hey, Jake. I’m fine. Is that for me?”

He held the rose out to her sheepishly. “Uh, yeah.”

What. The. Fuck. She’d invited a plus-one? A douche-y bastard who hadn’t even sprung for an entire bouquet? Sola was going to eat that guy alive. Fuck. Maybe that’s what she wanted. And if so, Aarav had been right to stay away.

“Let’s get you something to eat.” Sola took his elbow and steered him away, giving Aarav one last lingering glance before talking about inane bullshit she couldn’t possible give a damn about.

“Iwould never leave a woman waiting like that,” Aarav grumbled to no one in particular. In fact, he hadn’t realized he’d said it out loud until his teammates called him on the lies he tried to tell himself.

“Aarav, I mean this in the nicest way possible…” Ruby propped a hand on her hip. “Fuck off. You’ve been keeping her waiting for months and months with no indication that you’re ever going to get off your ass and see where that spark between you might lead.”

“Huh?” He looked up then, surprised.

“Don’t screw tonight up for her when she’s finally willing to take a chance on someone else.”

“Someone else?” No. That wasn’t how things worked between them. They were single. Partners. And they didn’t screw around with other people.

It was at that exact moment Aarav realized how foolish he’d been. The reflexive possessive feelings that blew away his unflappable mask proved that he was more than infatuated with Sola, and now he had to make sure he didn’t lose his chance to tell her so.

Aarav marched over to Sola and said, “Can I speak to you out in the hall?”

“I’m kind of busy.” She angled away from him toward the too-pretty guy who was rambling about the boring and inconsequential business deal he’d been making when he should have been meeting up with Sola. He had no idea that what she did everyday was ten thousand times more important.

“Just a minute.” Aarav gritted his teeth. “Please.”

“Fine!” Sola whipped around, her hair smacking him for her. Over her shoulder she said to her date, “I’ll be right back. Get yourself something to eat.”

And when they were alone, the music muted by the closed boardroom-turned-ballroom doors, she snapped, “Are you seriously going to fuck this up for me after screwing with my feelings for months?”

“What?” Aarav hadn’t meant to do that.

“I can’t decide if you’re clueless or heartless.” Sola crossed her arms, her cheeks flushing with ire.

“Is everything all right here?” Her date peeked in from the gathering. When he caught the exchange in progress, he winced. “It looks like maybe I’m not welcome. Do you know how many giant dudes in there are glaring at me like I’m trespassing?”

Damn straight. Aarav would have to thank them later. This dweeb was no match for Sola. She deserved far better. Even more than he could ever hope to give her.

Sola blinked at Jake as if she knew it too. Her shoulders slumped, making Aarav even madder. She wasn’t the quitting type.

“I’m just…gonna go.” Her date edged for the door, then pivoted on his heel and practically ran for it, leaving Sola clutching that sad flower.

“What the hell are you smirking for?” Sola spun around to face him again, this time stalking closer as if she might take a swing at him. “If you had any chance before tonight, you sure as shit don’t now. I didn’t even get to fuck that guy before you scared him away.”

“He probably would have been a two-pump chump anyway.”

“Two pumps is better than none,” Sola growled. “Whatever. I can take care of myself. I don’t need you or any man. I’m plenty by myself.”

He’d never meant to make her feel like she wasn’t enough for anyone, especially not him.

“Sola…wait. I’m sorry.” Aarav reached for her, but when he did, he saw Jordan standing in the shadows.

“Boss.” Sola lifted her chin and put on her armor, all hint of her emotions disappearing so thoroughly she might be the one they started calling a robot next if she wasn’t careful.

Jordan stepped closer and cleared his throat. “Are you two finished?”

“Never got started.” Sola tossed her hair over her shoulder.

“I didn’t mean to make a scene,” Aarav told their boss, but he wanted Sola to hear it too. “Don’t worry. This won’t impact our ability to work together.”

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