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“It’s so beautiful here.” I find the forest an enchanting place and feel incredibly lucky to be here, experiencing this beauty, the majesty, with Alec by my side. “What an incredible view.”
“Agree one-hundred percent.” Only Alec isn’t looking at the sky above. He’s staring at me. Now…” He pulls out marshmallows, surprising me, but what’s more surprising is the way I giggle like a little girl. “What would a campfire be without these?”
“This is perfect.” I grab a marshmallow and spear it with my roasting stick. The fire dances and flickers in the night, while we roast our marshmallows over the open flames.
We laugh long into the night, trading stories about my roomies and his teammates, getting to know each other on an even deeper level than before. We laugh long into the night while stars twinkle above us, until we pack up all the food and put it in the bear canister. Alec places it away from our camp, to keep the bears away from us.
For the first time in my life, I snuggle into a man’s arms and fall to sleep without first having sex. It’s as if a fundamental shift occurs between us.
Or maybe, that shift occurs within me?
Is it possible I’m contemplating an actual relationship? Am I willing to dip my toes back into those waters?
FOURTEEN
Barbi
As the days go by,I find myself falling deeper and deeper into Alec’s arms. Every moment we spend together feels like magic, as if nothing else in the world matters. But just as we settle into a routine, Bravo team gets called away on a mission, leaving a weird hole in my day.
I miss him.
My days feel—aimless?
I don’t even know if that’s the right word for the emptiness I feel.
I miss the sound of his laughter and the way he holds me close. I miss his jokes and the way he makes me smile. I miss the unexpected joy he pulls from deep inside of me.
I miss him. Like,reallymiss him.
Thankfully, my roomies are here to lift my spirits.
Like the day Alec blew back into my life, it’s the end of another beautiful day in the city. Fine wispy clouds turn pink as the sun dips below the horizon. We gather on the roof, spending much needed time together as sisters. With Bravo team on patrol 24/7, and me being basically absent because of Alec, it’s a rare opportunity for the four of us to be alone.
Not that we’re technically alone.
We’re joined by Jinx and Lily, former DEA agents turned Guardian Hostage Rescue Specialists, who provide that 24/7 protection for Carmen and Rosalie in the absence of Bravo team while they’re away on another mission.
As we chat and laugh, I can’t help but feel a pang of envy toward Carmen and Rosalie. They show none of the agitation, fear, or concern over Rafe and Hayes being gone, that I feel for Alec. Their men are in the field, doing what they do best, facing off against dangerous men wielding guns that kill, and they’re acting like it’s any other day.
I don’t get it.
My anxiety over Alec’s wellbeing pegs at a million percent. I can’t stop worrying—aka obsessing—over his safety.
As for my other roomy, Kaye’s withdrawn. She says she’s keeping herself busy with her studies, but I can’t help but notice the way she looks at Zeb when he’s around. I can’t help but feel her frustration.
Agitation?
Can we call it that?
She’s definitely got the hots for Zeb.
Despite her claim about swearing off men, I sense a spark between them, and it makes me wonder what’s really going on. Now that Professor Douchebag is out of the picture, I can only hope she and Zeb explore that spark.
I’d hate for her to miss out on something that might potentially be amazing.
She says she spends her days in the library, getting a head start on her studies this fall at UC Davis, but I secretly suspect she’s sneaking off to see Zeb. When she does come home, it’s always with a guilty expression; like she’s ashamed of it.
Although, when I see Zeb, and have the chance to talk to the Guardian, he’s morose over being shoved into the friend zone. If I believe him, there’s nothing going on between him and Kaye.