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She ignored the woman and went about her day, setting up her computer, her voicemail, and meeting the other important people in her office. But she felt scattered. No, rattled by the thought of investigating so much as a missing paperclip with Nash.

She also hated him jumping into the middle of this dangerous investigation. Which was silly. Or she tried to tell herself it was. His job was dangerous as hell. She’d always known that. It hadn’t bothered her much in the past. He was strong, intimidating, well-trained, and capable. When they’d been together in the past and he’d left on a mission, he had always let her know he would be gone for a few days. He’d checked in when he could and called her as soon as he made it to safety. Yes, to make plans to hook up again, but she’d been able to breathe once he’d assured her he was on his way home.

What was different now? The fact that she knew how perilous this case was…or that she’d finally admitted she was still in love with him?

Her afternoon wasn’t any better. While out at lunch, something had pissed off her boss. He came ranting into the office, slamming doors and rattling windows, growling at a handful of her coworkers to hustle their asses into the conference room. Reluctantly, they complied. Afterward, his wife hid in her office for the rest of the afternoon. Mila seemed so bubbly and sweet that Haisley felt sorry for the woman having to endure Mr. Benedict’s bad mood and verbal abuse.

In the meantime, she dug into the company’s social media and started rounding up the things Nash needed. Reluctantly, she knocked on Mr. Benedict’s door.

“What? This better fucking be important.”

Wincing, Haisley stepped in. “I’ve found the schematics and other associated documents Nash asked for. Is it okay for me to send them on?”

“Nash?” Benedict barked.

“Mr. Scott.”

“What’s up with you two? Today wasn’t the first time you met.”

“We know each other through mutual friends.” Not a total lie…but she didn’t owe her boss information about her personal life, especially when he was in a crappy mood.

“Is that all?”

“We’ve butted heads a few times, but that won’t be an issue here. We’re professionals, and we’ll act accordingly.”

“See that you do. You can start by doing your damn job and sending the operative whatever he needs.”

“Of course, sir.”Asshole.

Yeah, it had been a fab first day.

With a sigh, she unlocked her front door, glad that it was over, and shouldered her way into her bungalow. Ugh. Why the hell was she despondent and weepy? Worried?

She’d love to blame hormones, but Nash was back in her life. He always wreaked havoc on her heart.

What she needed was some girl time to get her mind off him so she could focus on getting her shit in order. Her friends always helped her screw her head on straight.

But when she texted Madison, Matt answered, saying her bestie had a raging case of morning sickness that had lasted all day, so she’d taken her green, vomiting self to bed. She’d call tomorrow. Haisley wished her well, then DoorDashed her expectant friend some ginger ale and ice cream.

Next, she’d reached out to Charli…who had typed back that she couldn’t chat now because she and Daniel were talking. No elaboration, which seemed like code for the couple arguing. With a heavy heart, Haisley told her gal pal to call if she needed an ear.

Finally, she’d tried Gracelyn, who was a glass-half-full kind of girl and saw everything in a far happier light than Haisley’s cynical outlook. She finished dinner and half an episode of some real estate show on Netflix before her optimistic friend texted back that she was “hanging out” with Kane but could chat in the morning.

Yeah. No thanks. She didn’t want to talk to Gracelyn while the woman was cozied up in her lust bubble with one of Nash’s teammates. Talk about awkward.

She thanked her friend for getting back to her and promised to call soon.

But that left her little house too empty, too quiet. Even her feline housemate, Miss Priss, was crashed on the back of the sofa, tuning Haisley out. She felt lonely—and that was dangerous because she was so, so tempted to call Nash and beg him to come over. Hell, before he’d left her office, she’d almost hoped he would kiss her again. He’d certainly looked as if it had crossed his mind.

How the hell was she going to work with him indefinitely without giving into the undeniable pull between them?

Haisley had no idea, but she had to get her mind off Nash now—or she’d do something she would regret. As tempting as it was to invite him to fill her night, nothing good could come of it. Well, other than amazing, incendiary, blow-her-doors-off sex. But by morning, he would be crowding her space, demanding more of her body, and inadvertently prying open her heart.

No. Not happening.

Besides, her secret would always be between them. She didn’t dare give him the opportunity to worm it out of her. The truth wouldn’t do Nash any good, so why bother? Maintaining distance was the only way she could protect him.

Thank god she had CSI. Maybe she should check in on a few of the cases she’d been assisting with. Yeah, and if she was going to do that, why not see if JasperThePrivateDick had made any progress?