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“Here, dear,” the attendant said. “Your jacket’s about to fall to the floor.”
Taking the jean jacket the woman held out for her, Olivia thanked her. The woman went on her way.
Olivia glanced over at him. “Don’t smirk. It’s not attractive.”
Enjoying the easy camaraderie, Hawke leaned back in his seat with a sigh. A successful mission, more intel than they’d ever expected, and a safe, smooth flight back home. Sometimes, you couldn’t ask for more than that.
He looked at the woman sitting beside him. Yeah, sometimes you could ask for more, but that didn’t mean you could have it.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Missoula, Montana
With no bags to claim, she and Hawke made it out of the airport in record time. It was midday, and though the sun was shining, a definite chill was in the air. Her long-sleeved shirt was fine for now, but she had the distinct feeling she’d be bundling up soon. She draped her jacket over her shoulders as she and Hawke headed to the long-term parking lot where they had left their SUV.
Had it been only three days ago? It seemed that so much had happened in that time. Now, they were due back at OZ headquarters for debriefing. Everyone who’d been involved in the op would report in with any issues they’d had, but the meeting should be brief. From what she knew, there had been no problems with any part of the operation, other than the mishap with her and Hawke.
Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Hawke. He was in pain, though he never complained. They’d had the foresight to stop by a medical supply store for crutches before boarding the flight to Arizona. His grim countenance told her that driving was not helping his knee, but he’d given her a look when she had suggested she drive. She knew when to pick her battles. If he wanted to grind his teeth against the pain while driving the stupid SUV, then she would let him. He had promised he’d go see his doctor as soon as he had time. She intended to hold him to that promise.
She froze. That had been a very wifely thought. And she shouldn’t be having those any longer. After this meeting, she would return home. That had been her plan from the beginning. Nothing had changed. When she left OZ today, she wouldn’t be coming back.
These last few days of working together had felt like old times. They were still good together, able to read each other’s thoughts, anticipate each other’s needs. Their comfortable partnership was something she had sorely missed. She’d worked with several different partners over her career, but working with Hawke was no comparison.
It was more than the job, though. There was more, so much more, than that. There was still love and devotion between them. Still an aching tenderness that welled up inside her whenever she looked at him. Still an immeasurable attraction and connection that drew them together like a magnet to steel.
A stupid, fantastical, insane idea speared through her mind. Could she convince him to give them one more chance? Was she going to let go of the best thing that had ever happened to her because she was too afraid to risk rejection? With Hawke’s return, she had been given another opportunity. Was she really going to let it go by without trying one more time?
She knew his issues with his father colored everything. Hawke had been beaten almost daily as a child, but the physical abuse had been only one aspect of the torture. His father had convinced his son that he would be just like him, and that mental abuse had controlled much of Hawke’s life. In no way had she ever seen in him anything remotely resembling his father, but Hawke refused to believe that. How could she persuade him to try again if he still felt that way?
But didn’t she owe it to them to try?
Anxiety locked her muscles, and she could practically feel the tension permeate the interior of the vehicle. Her window of opportunity to bring up the subject was closing. They were only a few miles from OZ headquarters.
He said he hasn’t changed his position, her mind whispered. Just how much of a masochist did one have to be to not get the message?
But she might never have this chance again. Didn’t she owe it to herself to try one last time?
The closer they got to HQ, the more nervous she became. It was now or never.
She breathed a silent prayer for courage and said, “I realize this is an inappropriate time to bring this up, but we haven’t really had the chance to discuss this fully.”
That part wasn’t quite true—had they really discussed it at all? They’d mostly skirted the issue, but now she wanted it out in the open. One way or the other, she had to be sure. If there was no hope, then she would let it go.
“Discuss what fully?” Hawke asked.
“Us.”
The look he threw her was a cross between incredulous and heated. She didn’t know if that was a good thing or a bad thing.
She cleared her throat. “I was wondering if you might want to try again.”
“You’re serious?”
“Why does that surprise you?”
“Because of what we talked about last week. I haven’t changed my mind. You haven’t changed yours.”
“But we could talk about it. We never did. Not really. I know I presented you with a fait accompli. That was my fault, and I take full responsibility. It wasn’t planned, but if we did—”