“Then Tessa blew by. If she were chasing me, I would stop on a dime. I wonder if some men surrender on the spot when they see her. She’s exquisite.”
This remark earned her a tiny head shake from Gil as he pinched his lips.
“Then Zane and Luke took off, and they both look like theycould run a triathlon for kicks and giggles at any moment, so my guess is they will catch the guy in no time.”
They came to a stop at a red light, Gil on Emily’s bumper, and he turned to look at her. “I need you to promise me you’ll repeat everything you just said when you give your statement, because I want it all in the official record.” Then he winked.
The tension in the car dissipated. Gil remained alert and focused, but the waves of hostility that had been pouring off of him were gone.
“Thank you.” Ivy reached over and squeezed his arm.
“I didn’t do anything. Faith’s the one—”
“I’ll tell Faith thank you later. And Tessa, and Luke, and Zane. But you’re the one who’s protecting me right now. Thank you.”
Gil reached for her hand, and she laced her fingers through his and held on. His fingers flexed on her hand and returned the pressure. “I can’t say it’s my pleasure, because there’s nothing pleasurable about you having broken fingers and a fried shoulder, and now having been almost kidnapped. But I’m glad I’m the one who found you.”
“Me too.”
Gil pulled his hand away and returned it to the steering wheel as he merged into traffic on the interstate. She wasn’t sure what to do with her hand. If she left it where it was, it looked weird. But where could she move it without being obvious? Should she tuck it out of Gil’s reach? Before she could come to a decision, Gil reached his hand for hers and laced his fingers through hers again.
Well, that was one problem solved. Unless it was the start of a much bigger problem.
10
GIL HAD NO IDEA what was going on with him. All he knew was that the second Ivy slid her delicate hand in his, he realized he could never let her go.
It’s too soon. You’re moving too fast. You don’t even know her.
He didn’t care.
No, that wasn’t true. He cared so much, it could destroy him. All through lunch he’d been wondering what it would be like to have her beside him all the time. She fit right in with Faith and Tess, and of course with Emily. It had been easy. Natural.
Just like holding her hand.
He could turn her loose and pretend it never happened or choose to believe it was only about her seeking comfort after a traumatic experience. Or he could be bold. Hold her hand as if he’d held it every day for the past fifteen years.
If things had been different, she would have been his all this time. To have and to hold. He knew it in his bones. They’d been kids when she moved, but after that summer they spent together as teenagers? The way they’d shifted from best friends to more in the space of a few days? If they’d been able to follow throughon their plans? If she hadn’t shut him out? They would have been one of those couples that had been together since high school and were still ridiculously happy.
He’d never personally met a couple like that, but he knew they existed.
“Why are we going to your office?” Ivy asked the question with genuine curiosity but no apparent anxiety.
He squeezed her hand. “It’s the safest place I could think of.”
“Oh.” The anxiety was back in her voice. “Do you think they’re after me because of something on my computers, or do you think it has something to do with the counterfeit money you found?”
“I don’t know, but we’re going to find out.”
Emily had done as he’d asked and waited in her car until he pulled in beside her. When he got out, Ivy waited, which gave him the opportunity to be a gentleman twice over. He opened Ivy’s door, then Emily’s, and escorted the two women inside.
The weekend security guard stood at the door, brow furrowed. “Agent Dixon. Wasn’t expecting you today.”
“Wasn’t expecting to be here, Greg, but pretty sure we’ll have a few more coming soon.”
“I’ll be on the lookout.”
“Thanks. Greg, this is Dr. Ivy Collins.” He nodded his head in Ivy’s direction.
