Spying Under the Mistletoe (Love Undercover #2) - Stina Lindenblatt Page 0,75

happened. She knew going into it that the relationship was fake. She was fine with it.”

Ava shakes her head, and there’s some serious eye-rolling in her tone when she says, “Was she? I don’t know about you, but she didn’t look fine to me.”

“That’s because I let her believe her cousin still cared enough about her to make sure she’s safe. I thought it would be easier that way.” For the case.

Yep, I’m like a sundae. Two scoops of idiot with an extra helping of dumbass sprinkled on top.

“She spent most of her life believing that she was better off not loving anyone who was male since the men she loved eventually left her,” Ava says. “Now, she believes her love will eventually kill any man she falls for. And she’s not exactly thrilled that I knew her cousin didn’t actually hire you guys and let her continue to believe that.” Ava crosses her arms and glares at me.

My gut tightens even though I know I deserve Ava’s anger. I dragged her into the lie, and I have a feeling it’s going to take me a long time to make things up to Liam’s wife.

“The part where she believes her love is deadly is crazy,” I say.

“Is it? From her point of view, that’s exactly what happened. The only exception is her cousin. And from the sounds of it, she’d be better off if a troll threw him off a bridge.”

As an author of middle-grade fantasy, Ava has quite an active imagination.

I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m in her next book—in the killing-off-the-people-who’ve-pissed-her-off way.

“Well, I’d be more than happy to take on the role of the troll for her.” I turn to the agents, who are watching Ava and I go at it, their expressions stoic.

But I’ve been around FBI agents and Navy SEALs long enough to speak fluent stoic. They’d also be more than happy to throw me off the bridge.

“Does this mean I’m no longer working undercover as a substitute teacher?” I ask Liam.

“For the time being, I think it’s best you maintain the cover. Despite what she might believe, she’s still in danger. And you never know, the FBI might come up with a much bigger fish to fry from all this.”

By FBI, he means his team. But he’s hardly going to admit that in front of Agents Foden and Ramsey.

Relief swims through me. It shouldn’t, but it does anyhow.

“What about the boyfriend cover?” That’s the one I really want to know.

Because despite what Chloe might believe, I’m not ready to walk away from the cover yet—or from her.

26

Chloe

“I don’t blame you if you’re still mad at me.”

I turn toward the classroom door to discover Ava standing in the doorway. It’s Monday afternoon, and my students have left for the day.

“I’m not mad at you.” Not anymore, anyway. “I get why you couldn’t tell me the truth.”

The words come out softly, with no trace of anger, but that doesn’t stop her from flinching.

I meant it, though. It would’ve been a different story if Liam and his team had been working for the dark side. I should be doing cartwheels.

And I would be—if Landon had been honest with me from the beginning.

“Like I told you Friday night,” Ava says, walking toward me. “I’m really sorry I lied to you. Liam didn’t want me to be involved because he knew it would put me in an awkward position. That, and he knows I’m a crappy liar.”

A laugh bubbles up inside me. “Well, if it makes you feel any better, I would make an equally crappy lie detector. I guess that’s just another gene I never inherited from my grandfather.” Can’t say I’m too sorry about that.

Despite everything, it feels good to be able to talk to Ava. She’s the only friend I have who I can discuss my family with. My real family, not the fictitious one I tend to mention when asked.

“You’re not by any chance here to tell me I should forgive Landon for lying to me, are you?”

Ava snorts a laugh. “Definitely not. You have every right to be pissed at him. He should have been honest with you to begin with.” Her face softens. “While Landon and I might not have known each other in college like I told you we had, I have known him for several years. And the Landon I know doesn’t generally lie, unless it has to do with his job. That’s just the nature of what my husband and his