Page 38 of Felix and the Spy
“Do you think—”
“He won’t tell anyone.”
“I know. But it was reckless of me to suggest something like this. If somebody else had run into us,” she shuddered. “There’s no telling what would happen.”
“It’s not your fault.” Felix put an arm around her shoulder.
The thing with secrets was that they were bound to come out some time or the other. She’d seen it happen so many times in her career as a spy. Though work relationships weren’t forbidden in the Secret Service, she wondered how the truth would affect her image. Would everyone think she’d slept her way to the top? Or was she just being paranoid?
She gazed at him, wondering what he thought about all this. Were they even in a relationship, or was this just a temporary fling to him?
“Let’s go home,” Felix said after a while. “It’s been a long night.”
She walked back with him, once again ignoring the question that had been plaguing her mind: Did he feel the way she did?
Thirteen
Felix
Work was unusually calm the next day. Tranagard was back from his mission and bowed to Felix like he’d heard nothing at all about what happened at the spring festival. Felix didn’t know if he was relieved or disappointed. His feelings for Amara had been growing for some time, and he wished circumstances pushed him to confess to her. This was no longer an affair. He knew that much. Just the scent of her hair made his heartbeat speed up these days.
He opened the door of his office and found her standing outside. Half her hair was pulled back, while the other half fell over her shoulders in bouncy curls. When she gazed at him, he couldn’t stop looking. Was it just him or had she become more beautiful overnight?
“I was told you asked for me.” Clad in a gray dress, she watched him hesitantly. When their eyes met, she looked away.
“Yes.” He retreated inward, opening the door wider for her. Amara stepped in, taking in his organized room. “Another mission has come up. Tranagard requested reinforcements. It’s in Sigilis.”
She nodded without an expression, taking the sheaf of papers he handed her. Her deep brown eyeballs moved from side to side, reading the information. “Another lag ring?”
“Unfortunately, yes. Do you know how to play cards?”
“A little.” She’d never had to gamble on a mission before. Spies needed to have all kinds of talents to stand out. Amara had acquired a bunch of assorted skills over her career. “I think I’ll manage in a gambling situation. I know the basic rules.”
“Good. We don’t have much time. Tranagard is closing in tomorrow evening. You’re going to have to coordinate with him. Meet him at lunch tomorrow.” He slipped her the details.
She pocketed it. “Yes, sir.”
He blinked. He hadn’t heard her call him that in ages. It felt strange to have her address him that way, even though he knew they were at work, and she was just following the rules.
“If you want to try out your playing skills, I am available this evening.” Was he tacitly asking her out? They’d been spending a lot of time at each other’s houses. After the night of the spring festival, Amara hadn’t come by. Felix never thought he’d feel lonely sleeping by himself. He wanted to shake it off, but he had gotten accustomed to her presence.
Amara nodded, staring at the floor. He took a step toward her. The door was closed, thankfully.
“You’ve been quiet all day. Not to mention you haven’t been by since Darius found us together. Is something bothering you?”
She was still staring at the floor. “It’s nothing. I’ll come by today.”
There was something she wasn’t telling him. He could feel it. Felix leaned in closer.
“That is not what I’m asking. Did being found together bother you? Are you afraid others will find out?”
“That’s not what I’m worried about.” Her eyes flashed at him, blazing. They were mere inches apart. His fingers brushed hers, and she inhaled sharply, shutting her eyes.
“Then, what is it?” I want to know all your thoughts, Amara. Even the bad ones.” A hand slipped around her waist, pulling her close to face him. “You don’t have to hide from me.”
A long, quiet moment passed, but he didn’t let her go. When her eyes turned to him, they were moist. “What are we, Felix?”
“What do you mean?”
