Chapter 8 #2
She sniffed again, raising her gaze to his. “I’m not. It’s true. Either way you slice this, I’m–”
“Overthinking it.”
“I don’t overthink,” she claimed with a pout.
He traced her chin with his finger. “You do so. Remember the breakup with Adam?”
“I’ve tried to block that from my brain.”
“Because you went berserk overthinking things. Absolutely nuts. We were up until three in the morning before you finally admitted the guy was just a stupid jerk.”
“He was a stupid jerk, huh?” she asked as Alex nodded.
“He really was.”
“Good thing I married someone who isn’t.” She shot him an apologetic glance and a half-smile. “I’m sorry you married an overthinker.”
“Sometimes it comes in handy. Except now. Forget about Chris, okay? And forget about all the nasty stuff he said when he left. He was angry and bitter.”
“He was sort of right.”
“About what? What was he right about?”
“I’m selfish, and self-centered. Everything is about me–”
“Stop,” Alex said, waving a hand in the air. “Stop right there. You are none of those things. If you were, we would never have been friends.”
“Because you’re really good at picking friends?”
“I am excellent at picking friends. I have the best friend in the world. She is awesome. She’s smart, funny, loyal…”
She raised her eyes toward the ceiling. “Keep going.”
He laughed. “She is–”
“I’m kidding,” she answered, patting his shoulder. “I get it. I’m overthinking. I’ll quit. Especially since we have to focus on this ridiculous drop at the beautiful spy exhibit.”
Alex rolled his eyes. “I hate this. Raven is another man who has instalike for you.”
Ava clicked her tongue. “I don’t think so.”
“Sparky, that exhibit name isn’t a coincidence. Our feathered friend has a thing for you. And I no longer have to hide how jealous I am.”
“Jealous? You can only be jealous if I return his feelings which I do not. Raven is not my type.”
“How do you know? Maybe Raven is a strong, confident alpha male–”
“Not my type. I don’t appreciate the secretiveness either. There’s no reason to be jealous. Plus, I don’t think he has a thing for me.”
“We’ll see,” Alex answered as the plane began its initial descent, and they headed back to their seats. “So, are you feeling better?”
“Much. I’m focused on this drop, and then my next task learning about the Bancrofts.”
“I’ll help you with both because I’m needy and overbearing. See, I overthink too.”
She grinned at him as the wheels lowered. Within minutes, they were on the ground and headed to the gallery where Ava had been instructed to drop the flash drive.
Alex studied the exterior as he slowed his car in front of it.
“Looks okay,” Ava said, ducking to view it.
“Nothing about this is okay,” he answered as he slid into a parking space along the street and tossed the shifter into park. “I hate it.”
“I don’t like it much more than you do,” she said, her eyes shifting around as she searched for anyone who could be the mysterious Raven. “But we need to keep playing this game.”
“I don’t like games.”
She locked eyes with him. “You love games. You love gaming.”
“I don’t love these mind games. I hate them. And I want them to stop.”
Ava waved the flash drive in the air. “Maybe they will soon.” She kissed the drive. “For luck, not that you need it. You are the ace of cyberspace.”
He offered her a flattered smile, his cheeks reddening.
She pinched one with a grin. “You really don’t take flattery well, do you?”
“Am I blushing?”
“Yep,” she said with a nod.
He slid his eyes closed. “I hate being pale.”
“I think it’s cute. I always have.”
“Well, I hate it. See? I’m insecure, too.”
With a satisfied murmur, she leaned forward and kissed him. “I’ll be right back.”
“Wait, wait, you’re not going inside alone. I’m going with you.” He hurried to unbuckle his seat belt.
“Raven’s going to get jealous,” she said with a chuckle as she slid out of his SUV.
“Good.” He wrapped a protective arm around her before they crossed the street. “You know, it feels sort of good if he is, actually.”
“It does?”
“Yeah. Someone’s jealous of me because I got the girl.” He beamed at her.
She returned his smile, but only for a second before she glanced over her shoulder, the prickling sensation of being watched making the hairs on the back of her neck stand up.
“Oh, that reminds me,” she said as they pushed through the gallery’s glass doors, “there’s a good book called Chris Gets the Girl and–”
“Nope. I will read the other one. The princess and billionaire thing. But not a book with that title. I hate it just from the title.”
“It’s not the same Chris as my Chris.” She glanced at a few of the exhibits as they passed, searching for the one entitled Beautiful Spy.
“Please don’t call him your Chris, Avs.”
“Sorry. Okay, we won’t read the other book.”
“Tell you what,” he answered as she spotted the colorful pop art image of a modern woman with a 1940s gumshoe look, waving a finger at it, “I’ll write a program that changes the book to Alex Gets the Girl, and then we’ll read it together, okay?”
“I’m not sure how the author will feel about that, but okay,” she said with a shrug as they approached the bright image.
“Maybe the author would prefer it. Maybe she has a thing for guys named Alex.”
“Or tech geniuses with hearts of gold.” Ava grinned at him as she pulled a manila envelope from behind the painting. Her brow furrowed as she stared at the package that clearly contained something.
Alex snatched it from her. “There’s something inside there. Let me open it.”
She peered over his shoulder as he undid the clasp and flipped up the flap. He clicked his tongue, his shoulders slumping at the sight within.
“What is it?” Ava asked, lifting her chin as she reached for the envelope.
Her heart skipped a beat as she caught sight of red petals. Reaching inside, she withdrew the red rose, finding a note attached.
She scanned the words, her features pinching. Leave the flash drive, keep the rose, though it pales in comparison to your enduring beauty and resilience. Always watching, always admiring. Raven
Her breath caught in her throat as she shot a searching glance up to Alex’s face. His features went taut as he shook his head. “I told you. This does not bode well at all. This guy is a problem, Ava. This has just taken on a whole new level of danger.”
She swallowed hard, staring down at the rose in her hand. Alex had a point. If Raven’s interest went beyond professional, could it become a problem not only for their own fragile new start but for her very life?