“Is she coming with you to the wedding?” Gio asked politely.
“I haven't brought it up to her yet, but I’d like to invite her. She’s unsure how you feel about her, Vicki, so maybe you could spend some time with her now that Dad is healed.”
Clearing her throat, my sister obviously decided she’d be better off falling in line instead of clinging to the grudge I’d placed on her. “Well, she must have treated him properly for him to be better so quickly.”
“I believe so. He told me it was because he respected her enough to follow her instructions, compared to the asshole Hofstadt.”
Who I’d had fired. Dr. Hogan was more than happy to force Hofstadt into retirement after all the complaints he’d had filed against him.
“At any rate, I’d appreciate it if no one mentions to her that I had no choice in the matter. I’d already invited her on a date before Dad stuck his nose in it, so I don’t want her to think I don't want her for her.”
“And how did that go?” Gio asked humorously.
I smirked. “Awkwardly and anxiously.”
He snorted. “Let’s hope she warms up so you two can be happy.”
After lunch, Vicki found something else to do so I could fill Gio in on the information we’d learned. He agreed we needed a suitable punishment that didn't include bombs.
“Sniper? Just make it an all-out hit?” he suggested.
“As Dad pointed out, they have a second in command now, even if we don’t know who he is.”
“Then take them both out simultaneously."
“Someone would have to follow them to see when they're out together.”
I sighed, realizing I wanted nothing to do with business for the time being. I wanted to talk to Sailor, to feel that calming sensation she created in my overworked brain.
“I believe you two can be happy, Noah.”
Gio said it quietly, but my shoulders hunched at the idea that I was so readable he knew what I was thinking. “Let’s hope so.”
When I was alone again, I couldn't help texting Sailor to see if she was free later. I wanted to call her and hear her voice, but there was no telling how long she would be in surgery. Indeed, it was hours later when she answered that she would love to see me.
Her words made me feel lighter than I had in a long time. Several ideas floated through my head, but I settled on a quiet place I’d heard of but never been to.
Since she got out of work late, we met at the quaint bookstore tucked into a side street. Not only did I assume she’d enjoy the books, but I’d heard they had fireside seating. Ordering hot chocolate so I didn't have to assume whether she preferred coffee or tea, I led her to the overstuffed loveseat and sat beside her.
“This is very thoughtful,” she said with a weary sigh. “And indulgent after such a long day on my feet.”
I smiled at the way the firelight glowed against her skin. “I picked it with you in mind.”
Looking up at me, she nestled closer as she sipped her drink. “Thank you.”
At that moment, I realized that my feelings were my own. My father may have tried to push me into doing what he wanted, but I enjoyed Sailor’s company. I liked the way it felt to sit beside her, cozy in front of the roaring fireplace, knowing she needed to unwind and that I’d given that to her.
And soon, I would find myself a house with a fireplace so we could do this privately in the future.
Chapter Seventeen
Sailor
Noah continued to surprise me with his thoughtfulness. I was positive he had only been on superficial dates in his lifetime, the type that ends in uncomplicated sex followed by never seeing each other again. Yet, he went out of his way to think about what I might like at the end of a hard day. It felt good to sit snuggled into his side with a warm drink in my hand and a roaring fire to stare into. Shutting off my brain was difficult for me, but I’d managed to do that for an entire hour, including when we browsed the bookstore together. He even grabbed a few paperbacks for himself, which I was certain he wouldn't read any time soon.
But when he walked me to my car, my brain couldn't remain dormant any longer. Not when he caged me against the driver’s door, bracing his hands behind me so the cold of the metal couldn't penetrate my skin. He looked at me for a long time, simply looking, until I couldn't contain my squirming.
“You’re not just beautiful,” he said as he lowered his head. “You’re so intelligent, so strong.”
