Code Name: Ghost - Sawyer Bennett Page 0,22

paying attention to him. I have no clue who Jaime is or if I should even be a part of this conversation. It does tell me one thing, though… Anna and Cage are good friends since he’s coming to her with girl troubles.

Or maybe boy troubles. I suppose Jaime could be a guy.

“So you’ll come with me to meet her for drinks then,” he asks, but it’s not really a question. More of a statement, which is confirmed when he says, “That’s great. Thanks so much.”

Cage stands from his chair just as Anna realizes something important just happened. Her head snaps up. “Wait! What?”

“You’ll come meet Jaime and me for drinks, so she thinks I’m legit,” he says, still heading for the door.

“Wait a minute,” Anna commands. Cage stops, turning around with a sheepish smile. “Thinks your legit? Have you not told her the truth yet?”

Now I’m confused as I lobby my gaze between Cage and Anna.

Cage ducks his head as he shakes it. “Hasn’t been the right time.”

“Now would be the right time,” Anna says with a fair amount of snark.

“I can’t,” Cage replies… well, actually almost whines. “But I figure if she passes muster with you, I’ll know she could potentially be the one, then I’ll tell her.”

“Forget it,” Anna grumbles. “I’m not going to pretend to be a… what did you even tell her you do again?”

“A used-car salesman,” he admits in a low tone.

“Yeah… not doing that,” she says adamantly.

I can’t help but snicker as I think I’m figuring out the story now.

“You don’t have to pretend to be anything,” Cage maintains, holding his hands up. “Be yourself. You’ll just be coming as a good friend of mine.”

“Ask August,” Anna says with a sniff, glaring down at the folder. “I know you were good friends back in Vegas.”

There’s a long silence before Cage finally admits. “No one knows about Jaime except you, Anna. I only told you because I needed a woman’s opinion, and I trust you.”

Cage actually cuts his eyes to me, and he adds, “Guess I’m trusting you with this now, too.”

I cock an eyebrow, tapping my finger against my chin. “You mean you’re dating someone who thinks you’re a used-car salesman? Why the big secret?”

“Because Cage doesn’t do relationships,” Anna mutters sarcastically. “Thinks it will ruin his rep or something.”

“That’s not it,” Cage growls. “This is new for me, Anna. I don’t want to fuck it up, and I want you to meet her. Please come.”

Anna finally raises her head, blowing out a long breath. “Fine. But I don’t want to be a third wheel. Malik can come, too.”

“Whoa,” I reply, shaking my head. “I don’t think—”

“You’re coming,” Anna says firmly, giving me a scowl that frankly scares me.

And… okay, fine. Looks like I’m going out for drinks with Anna and Cage tonight.

CHAPTER 8

Anna

I spot Cage and Jaime across the crowded bar area where we’d agreed to meet for drinks. They are seated at a small table in the corner. Malik and I move that way, winding our way in and out amongst the other happy-hour drinkers, neither of us in a rush to perpetuate this bit of fraud Cage has going on.

It’s odd walking into an establishment with a man—even though we’re only friends. I can’t say it’s unpleasant, but why would it be? Malik is tall and gorgeous, causing many a female head to turn his way. His hand goes to the middle of my back to help guide me through the crowd, putting his body slightly just ahead of mine to part the way so I don’t get jostled. I’d forgotten how good it feels to have a man—or anyone really—protect me. It’s the downside to being alone.

“Let me get this straight,” Malik mutters, leaning his head closer to me. “Cage basically only does hook-ups, nothing serious. And he always gives a false profession for whatever asinine reason.”

I nod. “Correct. And the reason being—from what I understand—is that if women knew he was a bad-ass Special Forces security expert, they’d be more stalkerish or something, but I really think he just likes keeping it impersonal.”

“Dumbest thing I’ve ever heard, but whatever. So, this woman is more than a hookup and she still doesn’t know what he does for a living?”

“That’s the way I understand it,” I mutter.

“And he’s too scared to tell her the truth because he’s afraid the lie will do them in?”

Not afraid to just lay it out there. “The guy is a certified moron for sure. However,