Luke’s chest tightened at the thought. Moving came with the territory, but he’d never expected to develop the kinds of friendships he’d found here in Raleigh. Or that he would wish this group could somehow stay together.
He glanced at Faith. Or that there would ever be an FBI agent he would like. A lot. How had that happened? He risked anotherglance. Although with the way she was working at the moment, he could stare at her and she wouldn’t notice. She didn’t even know he was in the room. Her hawk-like focus was impressive and daunting.
And a little frustrating.
What was the point in him liking her if she didn’t notice him that way? And when or if she did, what could come of it? Beyond the irritating fact that she was FBI, there was also the fact that their careers would take them in different directions—sooner rather than later.
“Luke?” Faith didn’t look away from the laptop.
“Yes?”
“What do you know about Ivy Collins?”
“Nothing more than what I’ve read on Hedera’s website. I hadn’t heard of her before, but apparently, she’s a big deal. Why? Have you heard of her?”
“I heard her speak at a charity function I attended with Hope. She’s quite philanthropic. Young to be in such a position of authority. PhD in biochemistry or microbiology. I can’t remember exactly. Her company is leading the way in some kind of biomedical research. She’s only in her early thirties, very well off, entrepreneur-scientist type.” Faith leaned back in her chair. “She had a family member with a lot of health issues, and that inspired her to go into research. Somewhere along the way she concluded that while she’s a good researcher in her own right, she’s an even better businesswoman and could do more by running the business.”
“Impressive.”
“Yeah.” Faith’s disgruntled agreement confused Luke.
“Why wouldn’t it be impressive?”
“Oh, it is. Very.”
“Then what’s the problem? Do you think she’s not as good as she seems?”
“Do you realize she’s about the same age as I am and she’s changing the world?” Faith gave him a rueful grin. “Makes me feel like a slacker.”
Luke tried not to gape at her. “You’re too hard on yourself. Who’s comparing the two of you? Nobody but you.”
Faith huffed. “I have high expectations for myself.”
Luke studied her, unapologetically taking advantage of the excuse to look without worrying about getting caught. What was it like inside her head? Did she ever relax? “What do you do for fun?”
Faith’s fingers stilled on the keyboard. “Why do you want to know?” Suspicion dripped from every word.
Luke raised his hands. “I’m curious. Besides work and doing stuff with Hope, what do you do for fun?”
“I don’t have a lot of time for fun.”
She didn’t say it like a martyr. More like a crusader. “Come on, Faith. Humor me.”
“I’m working.” She didn’t say, “Leave me alone,” but he was sure she was thinking it.
“So am I, but it isn’t a complicated question.” He got up and walked toward her. “I’ll show you how it’s done. I’m Luke, and on the rare occasions I have free time, I like to scuba dive. I’ve done a few triathlons, but mostly I love to run and mountain bike. When I’m home, I read, and I enjoy building things. I bought my house in foreclosure, and I’ve renovated almost all of it. By the time I leave Raleigh, I should be able to sell it for a profit.” He snapped his fingers. “Oh, and I like going to movies with my nephews, but not my niece.”
Faith chuckled at that. She’d met Luke’s sister and her family when they came to cheer them on in the dragon boat race last year. “What’s the matter? You don’t like princess movies?”
“I like them fine, thank you very much. She doesn’t.”
“Then why don’t you like to go with her?”
“She doesn’t share her popcorn.”
Faith laughed out loud. A true laugh that made everything about her softer, warmer, and so very appealing. Luke leaned against the table, two feet away from her. “See. Not hard. Your turn.”
Faith wiped the corners of her eyes, still smiling. “I’m pretty boring. I row. That’s about it.”
