“But you can’t let that keep you from loving someone. Because let’s face it, that’s what this is really about, isn’t it? If you weren’t in love with Isabelle, you wouldn’t have a problem with her new role.”
I open my mouth to tell him that’s not true, but he’s got the don’t-even-think-about-bullshitting-me expression on his face. Mojo is giving me the same look, only his is cuter—easier to roll my eyes at.
But not any easier to ignore.
Liam slaps my good shoulder. “Welcome to the club. And as acting president—and up until now the only member—let me give you some advice. The worst thing you can do is let whatyouthink is the right thing dictate your relationship. I once made that mistake with Ava, and it cost me ten years with the woman I love. Those are ten years I’ll never get back.”
I nod because I know the story of what happened when he and Ava were engaged. He’d broken things off with her, believing it was for her own good.
He eyes me in the way my grandfather did, right before he sat me on his lap and shared his pearls of wisdom. Although in that case, it had nothing to do with women.
“Don’t let your fears keep you from the woman who loves you,” Liam says. “The one woman who understands how important your job is to you and accepts it as part of who you are. And don’t make the same mistake all those women in your past made by repeating it with Isabelle.”
He crosses his arms, daring me to argue otherwise.
“Are you done lecturing me?”
“Depends.”
“On what?”
“If you listened to a single word I said and are planning to make things right.”
Apparently, that’s not all he has to say on the subject. “You and Isabelle work great together. But I can’t partner you up if you’re too preoccupied with her safety and it takes your head out of the game. So the next step is up to you. What’s it going to be?”
“Can I get back to you on that?”
“Take all the time you need. Because like I said before, you aren’t taking a step in the field until your arm is fully healed. And I’m expecting a signed doctor’s note before I reinstate you.” He looks down at Mojo. “Make sure he doesn’t go running.”
Mojo barks in reply.
“Good.” To me, he says, “Figure out what you want to do about you and Isabelle, and let me know. I need to go coordinate things with our FBI contacts when it comes to Orlov.”
He strokes Mojo’s head one last time and turns to leave. “As soon as I find out what’s going on with the mission, I’ll let you know. And in the meantime, let that goddamn arm heal.”
I shut the door behind him. “So what do you think, Mojo? Do I ignore that I’m in love with her, or do I accept that she’s going to put her life at risk and just suck it up because I can’t live without her?”
Mojo barks, telling me not to be a stupid idiot. There’s only one option.
“Yep, that’s what I thought, too.”
34
Isabelle
After the lastfew days I’ve been having, there’s only one thing left to do…
I remove my hot air popcorn popper from the lower cupboard and pour the kernels into the chamber. Some girls eat ice cream when they’re having a bad day or dealing with a bad breakup. For me, I prefer popcorn and a movie.
Preferably something with some major kickass action. Humor is always an added bonus.
I turn on the popper. Less than a minute later, the doorbell chimes—which I barely hear over the noise of the hot air circulating in the machine. Since I’ve got a few minutes before the kernels start popping, I leave it running and go to the front door.
I peer through the peephole and gasp at the tall hotness standing on the front stoop. My heart swoons—much to my annoyance—and I open the door.
“Hi, what are you doing here?” This isn’t the first time Jayden has shown up unannounced, but given that we’re at an impasse when it comes to his feelings about my job promotion, he’s the last person I was expecting to see.
His gaze does a quick sweep of my body, lingering on my breasts for a beat longer than considered gentlemanly. His eyes darken—and I’m instantly reminded that I’m wearing my Hello Kitty pajamas, with the thin, faded T-shirt and sleep shorts.
