about going to the wedding. “Based on what I remember when working with Wyatt, he didn’t seem like he wanted to settle down.” A British bad boy. A charmer like A.J.
“I guess you never know when you’re going to meet the one.” Adriana’s comment was packed full of so much meaning, and nope, she wouldn’t be unpacking that one tonight, either. Boxes were easier than feelings.
Adriana motioned toward the TV mounted on the wall across the room. “We’ve been at this for hours. Maybe we can take a break and watch a movie? You happen to like—” A knock interrupted her words and left her question hanging.
Ana set her wineglass down to go for her lockbox temporarily on the floor by her couch.
“Are you going for your gun?”
Ana retracted her hand from the lockbox, stopping herself from retrieving her FBI-issued Glock 19. “I’m not expecting anyone.” And Adriana also had no clue how dangerous Ana’s current assignment was, which meant yeah, she shouldn’t answer the door without a weapon in hand. Always had to be prepared.
Adriana discarded her wine and went into the hall. “Your case must be inten—”
“What is it?” Ana asked when Adriana dropped her words and faced her.
“Who is it?” And now maybe she did need her gun.
Her friend’s eyes widened. “I guess you weren’t expecting Mr. FBI Attaché ex-husband, right?”
And shit. Really?
“It’s me. You can put your gun away,” her ex called out, loud enough to be heard through the door.
“Guess he knows you well,” Adriana whispered as if unsure as to what to do next.
“One second!” Ana smoothed her palms down the sides of her jean shorts as she made her way to the front door.
“I’ll head out. But if you need me, call.” Adriana grabbed her purse from where she’d set it on the small entrance table in the hall.
“Thank you.” And was Kyle really standing outside her door right now?
When Adriana opened the door, Kyle took an immediate step back on the front porch stoop. His gaze clung to her like he was reading the ticker tape of a breaking news story.
Adriana, in her fitted jeans and red tee, with her glossy dark hair and stunning eyes, resembled Gal Gadot, the actress who’d played Wonder Woman. And Kyle took notice. He’d never been a man to go speechless by a woman’s looks, but then again, maybe petite redheads like Ana just never did that to him.
Kyle forced his gaze past Adriana. “Ana.” His attention on her lasted a fleeting moment before he locked back on Adriana as she attempted to maneuver around him.
“Adriana,” she introduced herself. “I was just leaving. Excuse me.” She peeked back at Ana, an offer in her eyes to reach out if she needed her, and Ana nodded her thanks before Adriana turned and started down the steps to get to her car parked at the curb.
“Hi,” Ana said once she and Kyle were alone inside her townhouse.
“You look good.” He wasn’t even making eye contact, though. He was scoping the scene behind her. Assessing if Ana was alone now with Adriana gone.
“Thanks.” She stood in the hall, not sure what to do next. When it was clear he was waiting for her to make the next move, she motioned for him to follow her into the living room.
Kyle stopped in front of her TV, barely inside her living room, acting as if he was leery of being there. But here he was.
“What are you doing here?” she finally managed to get the words out.
“I’m being transferred to D.C. for a special assignment, and I was surprised to learn you were at Headquarters now.” When his hands went to the back pockets of his jeans, Ana took notice of the rest of his clothing. A navy button-down shirt left untucked. Brown loafers. Those were new. He’d never been the loafer type.
There were a few streaks of silver at the sides of his inky black hair. Same as before, but it was longer than when they were married. He was sporting a beard now, too. He looked different. On edge and somehow relaxed at the same time. It was all very strange.
Ana was so caught up in trying to get a read on him she’d barely heard his words. “Wait, what?” Two more steps had her close enough to smell his cologne now. Sharp. More distinct. Another difference. Who was this man?
Kyle’s hands left his pockets. One patted the side of his leg. The familiar rattle of one too many