Page 98 of Rangers Unexpected Return

He still smiled with only one side when he tried not to.

I remembered wondering whether I could make him smile with both.

I had been seventeen.

I had wondered about many foolish things.

“Where did you go?” I asked.

“Everywhere.”

“That isn’t an answer.”

“It’s the one I have.”

“You haven’t changed that much.”

His smile disappeared.

“Yes, I have.”

The words were quiet.

Not angry.

Only true.

I looked at the scar near his jaw.

Others disappeared beneath the sleeve of his shirt. More probably remained where I couldn’t see them.

Fifteen years as an Army Ranger had changed him.

Fifteen years in law enforcement had changed me too.

“We barely knew each other,” I said.

“I know.”

“Four dates.”

“I remember.”

“Rylie told me you remembered the number.”

“She interrogated me.”

“She’s good at that.”

“You were better.”

“I became a professional.”

He nodded toward my files.

“So I heard.”

I waited for another question.