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“It’s a fancy but and you only use the fancy but for really bad shit.”
“However, I didn’t get a chance to ask, because I needed to come back here, so that you could be properly briefed – unlike I was – on our cover.”
“We have a cover now?”
“PS assignments with your level of firsthand around the clock surveillance and an unidentified threat often require a cover to allow us – the operatives – to better blend into your environment. The last thing we want, especially when the enemy is unknown, is to tip them off thatwe’reonto them or what they’re doin’ in any way.”
“I’m aware. That’s why I don’t allow agents like Reynolds or Burke to take assignments where that’s the case. They don’t typically understand the concept ofblending in.”
“Since youdounderstand that concept then you’ll fully get why Blu told Aviva we’re datin’.”
Her eyebrows dart down to the ground. “Who’s dating?”
“You and me.”
“Who are we dating?”
“Each other.”
As if the information still doesn’t register, she asks, “Since when?!”
“About twenty-four hours ago?”
“What?!” Her head shakes in perplexity. “How is that even feasible?! You were likejustout on a date with another woman!” Additional disbelief swoops into her expression prompting her to squeak, “Oh! Oh! And that other woman was Aviva’s cousin!”
“College roommate.”
“Close enough.”
“Not really.”
“Slater.”
“Blu explained that your…attack…had us confess feelings for one another, which is why it makes sense that you’re stayin’ with me around the clock versus stayin’ at some safehouse. It’s an easy-”
An immediate scoff of disagreement is thrown in my direction.
“Andbelievable-”
“Maybe for me, but not for you,” Arley defeatedly throws back. “Like – hand to thePanic!vinyl – have you seen you?!” The utensil flies from her grip onto the bar counter. “It would make sense for me, yeah, but foryou? No. No way. You may be a cowboy hat wearing James Bond, but I am no Bond Girl.”
“You’re right, you’re not.”
She immediately gestures both hands in my direction to emphasize her point.
“You’rebetterthan a Bond Girl, baby, because you’re both beautifulandbrilliant.”
Bewilderment drops her jaw to the ground granting me permission to continue talking.
“Now, that’s our cover, which begins thesecondthey walk through that door.” I do my best to keep my focus on the current mission at hand versus the disbelief that the last thirty-six hours or so have been. “Questions?”
To no surprise, she doesn’t give me an immediate response.
I can’t exactly blame her.
I’m a little fucking speechless myself at the nonstop fuckshow our lives are turning into.
Wordlessly, I watch my best friend spiral internally, fingers and toes making the same drumming motions mine were earlier. Strands of hair are blown out of her face. Anxiously tucked behind her ear. Swatted at when they make the mistake of tickling the area. For what feels like six hundred deployments, Arley remains completely silent and keeps her stare on anything that isn’t me.
