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I gripped TJ’s hand and steeled myself for bad news. Had we gone too far? Had I finally rattled the wrong cages and set my career back.
Jayna reached for my free hand. “It’s good news, Ashlee. You’re getting a promotion, no doubt a few more awards, and even an office upgrade. How do you feel about windows?”
I winced. “After today, I’d like to keep my windowless office, but as for everything else, bring it on!”
My tears turned into laughter, and the hug Jayna gave me turned into a group huddle. I savored the moment of not only belonging to a team but belonging to two. When TJ threaded his fingers through mine, I amended that thought. I belonged to three teams, and my reporter’s instincts, which were almost never wrong, told me the one he and I formed together was going to be the most important one in my life.
21
TJ
Three months later
I took Ashlee’s hand and led her out of the Wilders’ company jet, into the bright Hawaiian sun, and down the airstairs to the tarmac.
“Beautiful,” I said, meaning Ashlee in her bright blue- and green-flowered sundress as much as the gorgeous island.
“Paradise,” Chase said as he and Mai Li descended.
Kessler and Derek followed them.
“Remind me why we don’t live here,” Kessler said as they reached the tarmac.
Derek kissed her. “Because you hate to miss out on snow in the wintertime.”
“That’s right,” she agreed. “But after the shitty, rainy November in the northeast this year, it’s great to visit.”
The last occupants, Bond and Prescott, climbed down the stairs. Bond held up a tube she held in her hand. “Did everyone get sunscreen? You need to keep it on at all times.”
I smiled at her. I’d missed her unsolicited medical advice. “You’re off the clock now, Doc.”
She arched an eyebrow at me. “You know who’s not off the clock, TJ? Skin cancer.” She handed me the tube of SPF 35 sport cream.
“Don’t worry, I’ll help you rub that in,” Ashlee whispered, and suddenly greasy sunscreen didn’t sound so bad.
Our driver, who was a HEAT operative, helped us load our luggage into the rear of the large, black SUV, and we all climbed into the vehicle.
On the scenic drive along winding roads lined with lush green vines hanging low with huge, colorful flowers, we discussed the rest of our party, who should already be waiting at the resort.
“I’m looking forward to finding out how Penn likes being the boss,” I said.
“I can’t wait to meet Alder’s partners,” Kessler said. “I heard all seven of them will be there.”
“Have you met any of them before?” Ashlee asked.
“I’ve met two, and I think TJ met two others,” she answered.
I nodded. “I think it’s damn near impossible for all of them to be in the same place at the same time, so they should be a happy group this week.”
“How do you think Jensen and Sparks are doing?” Li asked.
Derek shook his head. “We can only hope they’re still together and she has exhibited enough influence over him to make him stop bartending.”
“Amen,” everyone in the van, including our driver, said in unison.
Fifteen minutes later, we unloaded, gathered our room keys, and dropped off our luggage in our rooms. As much as the king-size bed with the sweeping view called to me to crawl into it and pull Ash on top of me, I resisted. We’d all promised to meet on the private patio as soon as we were settled. Ashlee, seeming to read my mind, tugged on my hand.
“Come on, let’s get out of this room before you get any ideas that keep us here for the next hour.”
