Page 28 of Chain Reaction

“Grilled cheese and peaches?” she repeated. “That doesn’t sound very appetizing.”

“Believe me, it’s delicious. You might want to order two. One for later.”

He sounded very convincing. “If you insist, then I’ll try it. But I only need one.”

He grinned as if triumphant. “Fair enough. I’ll make the order for you now.”

Raven watched as he grabbed his phone and called in the order.

Then he turned back to her, and she waited for more awkwardness to set in. Instead, she realized she had more questions for him. Questions about him that felt safer than any questions he might ask her.

“Do you live on Lantern Beach now?” she asked him.

His expression sobered. “I do. I’ve been here about three months. I got out of the military, and Cassidy’s husband, Ty Chambers, recruited me to work for him at Blackout.”

“What exactly are you doing for Blackout?”

“It’s a growing organization. I was hired with four other guys. We’ve all worked on various bomb squads or as explosive experts. We’re on hand when Ty needs us for that. But we take other assignments also. Private security and the like.”

“Sounds like the perfect position for you.”

He offered a half shrug. “I have to say I’m in a pretty good place right now.”

Raven couldn’t help but think there was more to the story. She wanted to ask but didn’t.

Asking would be too personal.

“I’m glad you found a life you’re happy with.” Raven’s throat ached as she said the words.

It wasn’t because she didn’t mean them. She didn’t wish any harm to Jake. In fact, she thought she’d forgiven him. But being around him now made her question if that were true.

As he shifted in his seat, she knew what conversation was coming.

It was a conversation she wasn’t prepared to have.

“Look, Raven—” Jake started.

She held up a hand, cutting him off before he went too far. “I don’t want to talk about what happened.”

“But—”

“I really don’t. Especially not when I have so many other things on my mind.”

Jake stared at her, his eyes crinkled at the edges.

She knew he wanted to talk to her about their past. About what had happened between them. About how he’d never called.

But she had to protect her own emotions, as hard as that could be sometimes.

Instead, she cleared her throat and said, “Let’s just put the past behind us and see what we can do to work together while I’m in town.”

He gave her that stare, his eyes swirling abysses of emotion, until he finally said, “Okay, if that’s what you want.”

Itwaswhat she wanted. Logically speaking, at least.

But emotionally it was an entirely different story.

Jake would be lying if he said he wasn’t disappointed that Raven had issued a cease and desist on their conversation. They needed to clear the air. Needed to talk about what had happened between them.