He stood there barefoot, T-shirt rumpled, expression drawn tight like he’d been holding the grudge in for hours.
“You didn’t call.”
“I texted,” she said evenly.
“After midnight.” His voice wasn’t raised, but the edge was there. “Thanksgiving, Tessa. My parents asked where you were. I told them you were out saving someone else’s holiday.”
Tessa stared at him for a beat, exhaustion pressing behind her eyes.
“I was working a case,” she said. “It’s what I do.”
She set her overnight bag down and loosened her hair tie. Dark brown waves fell past her shoulders.
“I’m asking you to show up,” he said.
“I do,” she shot back. “Just not on demand.”
Kyle gave a short laugh that didn’t sound amused.
“You outrank half the Bureau now—including me,” he said, the words landing with more bite than they should. “You get called in, the rest of us wait. You get the promotion, I shake your hand. You call that balance?”
There it was.
Not turkey. Not his parents.
The rank.
Tessa turned to face him fully. “You think I wanted to be above anyone? I worked for it. Same as you.”
“Then enjoy it,” he said, sharper now. “Because it cost you everything else.”
The words hit—not because she believed him, but because she’d heard the argument before.
“My job matters, Kyle,” she said quietly. “I’m good at it. It changes things.”
He glanced away. “Yeah. Always.”
She saw it then—the fight leaving his face, not replaced by understanding but something colder.
Resignation.
“I already put in for a transfer,” he said finally.
Tessa’s stomach dropped. “What?”
“Raleigh,” he said. “SBI headquarters. They’ll confirm next week.”
The words landed quiet but final.
“So that’s it,” she said.
Kyle picked up the duffel like it weighed nothing, like leaving herwas just another choice he’d already filed away.
“I’m done, Tessa.”
She stared at the bag. “You packed.”
“I had to,” he snapped. “Because you don’t hear me unless it’s a crisis.”
