Page 123 of Jonesing for a Spy

“Without a doubt,” Young bites back, disconnecting the call. To me, he adds, “Hell of a coincidence that planes are falling from the sky right after you land, don’t you think?”

“I don’t believe in coincidences.”

“Same, Jones. Same.”

We weave through traffic. When enough time has passed, I tentatively sit up. “Am I good to sit?”

His shades hit mine again in the rearview and he nods once. “Be ready, though.”

Scoffing, I purse my lips. We have the same military background. He went into private security after leaving the service. I went to the agency. He doesn’t need to tell me to be ready. He shouldn’t tell me anything at all. Why are all the men in my life dead set on being chivalrous? As if I’m the damsel in this scenario.

Strider

Jamie and I step out of the diner into the overcast afternoon. He has to have a job, right? How he’s available at all times of the day and night for running or eating or hanging out is beyond me. Though, truth be told, I don’t exactly look gainfully employed either.

“I asked Mirren to marry me.”

Her brother stops in his tracks and turns to face me with the slow, lethal precision I’ve come to expect. He opens his mouth, but before he can say anything, we both hear, “Ooooweee. This is news.”

“Fucking Fuzzy Johnson,” Jamie mumbles under his breath, beginning to walk away.

I stop him with a hand to his chest. One he looks down on before eyeing me like I’m flirting with danger. “I need every bit of that sentence explained.”

“Get in.” He nods to his truck and rounds the hood.

It’s an easy walk back to our place, but challenging Mirren’s SEAL brother isn’t worth it over something trivial. I can only assume a terrible dick pun qualifies, so I slide into the old truck.

He puts it in gear and pulls out of the parking space. “You asked my sister to marry you?”

“Yes.” Ask isn’t the right word, but I’ll never admit there was sexual coercion involved. Certainly not to a man who’s already explained how he’d dump my body.

“And she agreed?” he assumes.

“She did.” The smile on my face is undeniable.

He shakes his head. “And you told Fuzzy before our family.” It’s a statement not a question.

“No, I told you first. Unless she beat me to it.”

“You just told one of the biggest town gossips before you or Scooter told the family.”

I’m going to catch hell for this. The question is from whom… first at least.

“Fuzzy Johnson is one half of Fuzzy and Fergus?” I think I already know the answer.

Jamie bobs his head.

“His last name is Johnson?’

Another nod.

“Fuzzy Johnson. Ew.” I can’t stop the bark of laughter that bursts from me.

“You think Dad should learn about your engagement through the Fairhope grapevine?”

“How fast does Fuzzy work?”

The sound of the phone ringing in the cab is underscored by Wiggle flashing on the screen.