Chapter 8
ACE
“You’re wrapping things up early today, aren’t you?”
I get up from my desk and sling my laptop bag over my shoulder before replying to Rafe’s question. He’s standing in the office doorway, watching me with an amused expression while holding a gold-wrapped box I’d put money on being a gift for Eden.
With a smirk, I retort, “I could say the same about you. Unless that gold box contains the diagrams for our next system install. Which would be an interesting way of storing them.”
Rafe chuckles. “It would be. But no.” He turns the box so I can see the word Godiva printed on top of it. “Eden mentioned she’s been in the mood for chocolate. So I thought I’d surprise her with some.”
“Nice.” I give him an approving nod. “And yes, I’m done for the day. I don’t work until six or seven every night, you know.”
“Just most nights,” he replies. “I can’t remember the last time I saw you finishing up work before five.”
“And?” I push in my chair and head towards the doorway. “Your point?”
Rafe grins. “None. I’m just giving you shit.”
“I know.” As soon as I’m within reach, I punch his shoulder—not hard enough to really hurt, but enough for him to feel it. “And you’ve decided to bust my balls about my work schedule, why?”
Falling in beside me, we start to make our way down the hallway. “Because I saw you packing up your laptop,” he answers. “And I thought, what better time to give Ace shit than now?”
I try to punch him again, but this time, Rafe dodges it. “Thanks,” I reply dryly. “Wouldn’t want to miss that.”
“That’s what I thought,” he agrees amiably. “Anyway. Aside from giving you shit, I wanted to know if you were up for a bowling tournament tomorrow night. Eden wants to order pizza and wings and make a whole evening out of it. What do you think?”
We exit the hallway that leads to the business side of the Blade and Arrow building and into the shared living space—a large, lofted living room that connects to a kitchen slash dining area we use for special events and team gatherings.
It looks like someone—Bea or Eden, at my best guess—has already started putting up holiday decorations.
White lights line the floor-to-ceiling windows that face out to the front yard, and the fireplace is adorned with garland and lights to match.
In one corner of the room, there’s a trio of birch reindeer, each one with a red bow tied around its neck.
Rafe follows my gaze and says, “Eden and Noelle did it. I’m not sure why, since it’s not even Thanksgiving yet. But according to Eden, once it’s November, putting up holiday decorations is fair game.”
“My mom’s the same way. The second Halloween is over, she’s up in the attic, getting out all the Christmas decorations. I learned early on that it’s better to just go along with it.”
Rafe nods. “That’s what I’m discovering, too. Last year, when I dared suggest it might be too early to start decorating, Eden called me a Scrooge.” He shrugs. “Now I know better.”
The mention of Christmas turns my thoughts back to Yara again, just as they’ve been pretty much all day.
From what she’s told me, the holidays aren’t the happiest time for her, which I understand—it’s a tough time of year when you’re missing loved ones.
But I hate the idea of her spending another Thanksgiving or Christmas alone, like she admitted to doing for the last couple of years.
She should be surrounded by people who care about her.
Like her best friend, Annaliese. Her old GB teammates. And me.
Rafe’s phone chimes from his pocket, and he slows as he pulls it out to read the incoming text.
He smiles, his hard features softening in a way that tells me the message is from Eden.
Then he looks back over at me and says, “So. Eden wants to know if I asked you about bowling yet. Are you up for it?”
I shake my head. “I can’t. I’m heading up to Seattle for the weekend. Tell Eden I’m sorry to miss it, though.”
Rafe arches an eyebrow. “Seattle again?” The corner of his mouth twitches. “Weren’t you just there last weekend?”
“I was.” I start heading up the stairs that lead to my apartment on the third floor.
One of the perks of working for Blade and Arrow is living in the same building as I work.
It cuts down on the commute, for sure—a three-minute walk to my office is pretty damn nice—and it’s helpful being close by in case an emergency comes up.
Plus, it helps when my ghosts are being especially noisy and the walls of my apartment feel like they’re closing in.
When that happens, I can head to the shared living room or down to the basement to work out in our fully-equipped gym, where I’ll inevitably run into someone who’ll help take my mind off things.
“So…” Rafe prods, following me up the stairs even though he lives in a separate house on the property, so he and Eden can have more privacy.
“Why are you going back to Seattle so soon? Hiking? Another training with the bomb squad? Or—” He smirks again.
“Are you going to Rainier Beach to visit someone?”
Asshole. He knows why I’m going. He just wants to get me to admit it.
I glance at my watch, noting it’s been about half an hour since I told Yara I was almost ready to leave. If I take a lightning-fast shower, I should be able to get on the road in under fifteen minutes, which will put me at her house a little past eight-thirty.
“I’m going to see Yara,” I reply. “But I’m sure you knew that already.”
“I suspected.” As we reach the second flight of stairs, he adds, “I know it’s not my business. But what’s going on with you two?”
Part of me—the part that wants to keep this fledgling relationship with Yara to myself until I’m more certain of it—wants to agree that it isn’t his business. That part wants to make up an excuse for going to see her; one that doesn’t carry implications of something deeper than friendship.
But Rafe is my friend. Not just my friend, but family in every way except blood. And that’s why I tell him the truth. “I’m not sure,” I admit.
His forehead creases. “You’re not sure?”
“I’m not sure.”
We reach the third floor and take a left down the hallway that leads to my apartment. “How are you not sure?” Rafe presses.
“We’ve been friends for a while now. I mean, I knew Yara before, of course. But ever since I stayed at her place last year, we’ve gotten… closer. Nothing romantic. But we’d check in with each other a few times a month, at least.”
Rafe watches while I unlock my door. Which I know isn’t necessary—this building has pretty much every security precaution in existence, from bulletproof windows and reinforced steel doors to a top-of-the-line alarm system—but it’s a habit I’m not sure I’ll ever let go. “But something changed. Am I right?”
“I guess so. In Tacoma, and then last weekend, things just felt… different.”
“And?”
“And I’m not sure where things are going. But I know I like spending time with her. So that’s what I’m going to do.”
Once I get inside my apartment, I set my laptop bag on the table beside the front door. Kicking my shoes off, I add, “I’ve got to get moving, though. I told Yara I’d be there around eight, eight-thirty. I don’t want to make her wait.”
Rafe lingers in the doorway. His expression is pensive. “You know she’s been through a rough time.”
“Yes. I know.”
He hesitates. “I’m just saying, if you’re not sure about her… Well, she could end up hurt. If she thinks things are going one way, but you’re feeling the opposite.”
“We’re on the same page,” I reply defensively. “And Yara’s an adult. She can make her own decisions about what she wants.”
“True. I guess all I’m saying is, be careful.”
Irritation jabs at me. “Did I tell you to be careful with Eden?”
Contrition fills his gaze. “No. You didn’t.” Closing the distance between us, he claps my shoulder in wordless apology. “I guess… I feel protective of her, too. I know I shouldn’t. She’s a soldier just like the rest of us. But knowing what she’s been through…”
“I know.” I can’t fault Rafe for looking out for Yara when I want to do the same thing. “I won’t hurt her. That’s a promise.”
“Of course.” Rafe’s features crease in apology. “Sorry. That was a dick move, insinuating—”
“It’s fine.”
“No. It’s not. Before Eden, if you’d asked, I would have sworn up and down that I didn’t want a relationship. But I was lying to myself. I did want one. But only with her.”
“I’m not sure if we’re at that point yet,” I reply. “But seriously, don’t worry about it.”
He stares at me for a long moment. “Okay.” Then he turns to leave the apartment, stopping in the doorway to add, “You know, I can see it. You and Yara. Maybe she’s your Eden. You never know.”
My heart skips a beat.
Could she be?
“Tell Yara I said hi,” Rafe continues. “See if she wants to come here one of these weekends. With two client apartments now, we’ve got the room.” Turning, he steps into the hallway before turning back to add with a knowing smile, “Unless she’s staying with you, of course.”
“Don’t you have some chocolate to deliver?” I ask while looking pointedly at the gold box in his hand.
Rafe laughs. “I suppose I do. I’ll let you get going.” He stops, and his expression sobers. “Sorry, Ace. Really. I had no right. Especially—”
I grab one of the throw pillows my mom brought the last time she visited and chuck it at Rafe’s head. “Stop apologizing. It’s fine. Now get out of here so I can make it to Yara’s before midnight.”
The pillow comes flying back, but I bat it away before it hits me. As Rafe disappears down the hallway, he calls over his shoulder, “Stop wasting time throwing shit around. Didn’t you just say you need to get on the road?”