Dustin doesn’t join in like he usually would. He’s too busy trying to beat Hallie at cards.
Patrick simply smiles and reiterates. “Spies. I’m reading about spies.”
Maybe he is, but a lot of the time he’s reading romance for his podcast—the one he hid from us for years.
I open my email.
There it is.
Sender:FEMA. Subject:Application for Emergency Management Specialist.
My finger hovers over the mousepad and then I click.
The email is basic. Simple.
Hallie lets out a whoop. “Ho yeah, baby! You lose!”
“No!” Dustin shouts. “I demand a rematch.”
Hallie’s eyes sparkle. “Glutton for punishment?”
“I’m just a hopeless hoper.”
She laughs. Our eyes lock. I smile briefly and look back at my computer.
Mr. Stone,
We have received your letter of interest for the position of Emergency Management Specialist. Thank you for letting us know you are available. The position is being officially listed this week. We will be in touch shortly with further details and the link to the JobsUSA listing.
Thank you,
Jonas Brandt, Human Resources Specialist
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Washington, DC
Office of Response and Recovery
I close my laptop and stand up. “I think I’m going to head to my bunk.”
“Everything okay?” Patrick asks.
“I’m good. Just tired.”
Patrick nods, turning back to his book.
“Night, old man,” Dustin says with a laugh. “I’ll try to be quiet when I come in.”
I ignore him.
Hallie says, “Goodnight, Grey.”
Grey. She picked up the nickname from the guys. I press my lips together, keeping my grin to myself.
“Night,” I say, barely glancing her way.
One look at her right now and I wouldn’t be able to keep my feelings tucked safely away. Dustin and Patrick would know in an instant. It’s one thing for them to find out I went to her house for dinner. It’s another for them to see how much she means to me.
