AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Breathe… Slow inhale through the nose. Relax the shoulders. Pretend it’s a mission and I can’t let anything bother me. I didn’t know Ham was so friendly with Jacqueline, but there’s a lot I don’t know about Ham.
I can’t think of a single thing right now, but I’m sure there’s something. He says he’s an open book, that I can ask him anything, and I often do.
I never imagined I would have to ask if he was interested in Jacqueline DuMauier.
The chime sounds and the doors open. “Have a safe journey,” Agatha reminds me and I nod in response.
“Thanks,” I remember to say as the doors are closing.
I slept in my apartment here last night and my bed is still rumpled from a restless night’s sleep. I always have problems sleeping the night before a mission. I should crash for an hour, but instead, I quickly change into a pair of shorts and tank top. Trying to sleep right now would be a waste of time.
I need to hit something.
But just as I’m tying my shoes, the door opens without warning. I don’t even look up. “You could knock,” I say to Perry and Declan.
I knew my brothers would follow me. They always feel the need for an after-briefing briefing whenever I’m schedule for a mission. It’s a big-brother thing.
“Why did you run off?” Declan demands.
I motion to my shorts and shoes. “Trying to get a workout in before I head out.”
Declan meets Perry’s gaze. “So this has nothing to do with Ham’s announcement?”
“What announcement? The thing with operations? No. Just going to see Buckley,” I say, referring to the Bruce Lee of the NIIA. My brother Seamus first taught me to fight, but Buckley really refined my techniques.
“Nothing is going to change.”
I look at Perry with shock. I’ve never heard him sound so sympathetic, which tells me that, yes, a whole bunch of things will be changing.
“He’s right,” Declan chimes in. “You’ll still be friends with Ham.”
“I’m not worried about that,” I tell them, bending over to touch my toes to loosen the hamstrings.
“Maybe you’d like to be more than friends?” Declan suggests.
I almost wrench my neck to gape up at him. “What are you talking about?”
“I don’t think we should be talking to her about this.” Perry looks faintly ill.
“We’re her brothers. Who else does she have?” Declan retorts.
“Brothers, not sisters. She’s got friends—you have friends, don’t you, Lottie?” Perry asks.
I stand up with my hands on my hips. “What are you talking about?”
“You and Ham. Being more than friends,” Perry explains like I’m a two-year-old, which is his usual tone for me.
“We’re friends.”
“And maybe more…” Declan raises his eyebrows. “We see what’s been going on.”
“What…?”
“Annaliese says you like him,” Perry cuts in. “More-than-friends like him. Like she likes me, liking.”
“That’s too many likes,” Declan points out.
I shake my head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I seriously don’t understand.”
