Page 34 of My End

I let my eyes drift for just a second to where they really wanted to look.

Jake.

He was facing the table, not the door, but it was clear he wasn’t looking at us. Not really. His eyes were pinned somewhere over Boone’s head, like he was watching a scene only he could see.

Until mine met his again.

He blinked slowly. Just once.

It was nothing.

And yet… it wasn’t.

My fork hovered over the plate. I forced myself to look away.

“You’re quiet tonight,” Boone observed, not unkindly.

“I suppose I am,” I said and sipped my wine. “Just tired.”

“She was up painting last night,” he told Gibbs like I wasn’t in the room. “Probably got lost in her colors again.”

Gibbs chuckled, low and dismissive. “Must be nice to live with that kind of freedom.”

Boone smiled thinly. “Yes. Well. Not everyone is built for pressure.”

My jaw clenched. I smiled anyway. “I like what I do.”

“That’s good,” Boone said. “We all have our roles.”

Jake shifted, a subtle adjustment of weight from one boot to the other.

I noticed.

Dinner continued in awkward silence. Every so often, Boone would murmur something to Gibbs, and Gibbs would grunt in agreement. It was clear I was only here for appearances.

When dessert was brought out, a raspberry tart so perfect it could’ve come from a Paris bakery, I saw Jake’s eyes flicker to the tray.

His jaw tightened. Hungry? Maybe. I remembered Adam mentioning the guards didn’t eat until after Boone and Gibbs were done.

“Would you like something?” I asked before I could stop myself and looked at Jake.

Both Boone and Gibbs turned their heads toward me like I’d suggested setting the place on fire.

Jake’s expression didn’t change. “No, ma’am.”

Ma’am.

My cheeks burned.

“He’s fine,” Boone said firmly. “Our team knows their place.”

I shut my mouth.

The rest of the meal passed in silence. I pushed the tart around my plate and avoided Jake’s eyes after that. What had I been thinking? Offering dessert like we were friends?

Finally, Boone glanced at his watch and stood. “We have a call in fifteen minutes. Tilly, you’ll excuse us.”

I nodded and rose. “Of course.”