It felt a little like a date. Especially after the conversation in the car. But, he reminded himself, it was a fake date. They were just trying to look natural while he scoped out the area and positioned cameras.
He was glad he asked her out. And so relieved she’d said yes. He’d hoped that’s how the conversation would go. He thought if they planned to go on a date after the mission concluded, it would show he was interested in getting to know her, but give him a few days’ breathing room to focus on Gus’s killer, Drakos, and Frederick.
However, observing the genuine awe on her face when a sea turtle came within an arm’s reach of the pier, he realized the promise of a date wasn’t going to get her off his mind. Quite the opposite.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” she said, staring at the oblivious creature.
“You really like animals?”
“Yes, of course.” Her head snapped to his. “Don’t you? Wait. You don’t hate animals, do you? Because that’s a deal breaker for me.”
She didn’t sound like she was kidding.
He laughed. “Okay, good to know. Yeah, I like animals. I don’t have a pet or anything, though. I travel too much.”
Her eyes studied him like he was a bug in a petri dish. Okaaaaay. She’s really serious about animals.
“Cats or dogs?” she asked, with a smile tugging at her lips.
“What?”
“Are you a cat person or a dog person?”
“I feel like I’m being interrogated.”
“Is it a difficult question, Mr. Bridger?”
This was getting interesting. Although she was smiling, he got the distinct impression that his attitude about pets was genuinely important to her—and apparently, a critical factor in whether or not a relationship was possible.
“You want honesty, Miss Faraday?”
“Always.”
Woah. That word came fully loaded. She wasn’t talking about animals anymore.
He stepped closer to her, pausing before he answered. “You can ask me anything, Tayla. I’m not going to lie to you.”
He felt her gaze search his eyes for a moment. She nodded slowly. “I appreciate that.” The ocean breeze whipped her hair into her face, and she used both hands to tame it behind her ears. “For now, I just need an answer to the cat versus dog question.” A trace of humor crept back into her tone.
“Yes, ma’am. In all honesty, I could tolerate a cat, but I prefer dogs.”
He prayed that was the correct answer.
Her smile looked promising. “Me too.”
Why did he feel so relieved?
She caught her hair again and magically produced one of those hair-band-things women use to pull it into a ponytail. “What’s next? Do you need to make another lap around the pier? Or do you want to explore the beach?”
Jason glanced up the shore. “Let’s explore. I want to get a feel for the area.”
They stepped off the pier onto the lone, sandy path connecting the pier to the road. Rocks turning into small cliffs flanked them on either side. There wasn’t much flat area for parking. If very many cars showed up tonight, they’d all have to park on the side of the road.
“What’s your plan for tonight? Will you, Knox, and Leland come out here? Or just watch who shows up on the cameras?”
“We’ll be here. Let’s climb up these rocks. I want to find some spots with a good vantage point. You up for a little climbing?”
She laughed. “Hiking on rocks? Yes. I’m not a mountain climber, though. This—” she said, pointing to the rocky slope. “Yes, this I can do.”
