Ignore it, and it will go away.
It always did, eventually.
He reached his floor and flung open the heavy, fireproof door. Nerves danced in his belly as he carried himself down the long hallway toward his apartment.
This was ridiculous. He didn’t get nervous. He was former MARSOC, for fuck’s sake. He needed to grow the hell up and focus on doing his damn job.
Nothing less, and though he wished it could be different, nothing more.
Emmett inserted his key and unlocked the door. “Don’t shoot, it’s just me,” he announced in a half-joking way, despite having texted Gwen on the drive, letting her know he was on his way here.
“Welcome home.” Gwen smiled up at him from her place on his couch. “Find out anything new?”
“Nothing useful.” He bent down and unlaced his brown boots. When he was done, he slid them off and sat them neatly against the wall near his door.
While his teammate tossed the magazine in her hands onto the coffee table before her, he turned around to reset the alarm. Emmett entered the code and made his way into the living room area, meeting his teammate halfway.
“Is she down for the night?”
Please let her be asleep.
But the tips of Gwen’s ponytail swayed. “She took a shower not long ago. I heard the water shut off about five minutes ago, so I’m sure she’s still awake.”
She said this like it was a good thing. Little did she know.
“How’s she doing?”
“Good, I think.”
“Youthink?”
His teammate stared up at him with those big, blue eyes with awhat more do you wantexpression. “Well I’m not exactly a mind reader, Emmett, but from our earlier conversation, I’d say she’s good.”
He didn’t dare ask what the two women had discussed, feeling certain he didn’t want to know. So Instead he relieved the demolitions expert of her duties.
“Thanks for being here, Gwen. I really appreciate it.”
“Anytime, boss.” She smiled. “As far as babysitting jobs go, this one’s actually been pretty enjoyable.” Gwen grabbed her black, leather jacket from where she’d leftit on one of the living room chairs and began sliding her arms through the sleeves. “Janie’s great.” She reached back and pulled her hair free. “She’s sweet, funny, smart . . .Single.”
The woman’s obvious emphasis of that last attribute had his gaze narrowing slightly. “What does her being single have to do with anything?”
“Oh, it doesn’t.” Her tone was flippant, and without even a hint of sincerity as she walked his way. “Just thought it was worth mentioning.”
“Why?”
Gwen came to a stop about a foot from where he stood. “No reason, really.” The lie was plain as day to see. “I just found it surprising to learn that she was still unattached. I doubt she’ll stay like that much longer, though. A woman like that . . .” A small shrug. “She seems like a real catch to me. Someone’s bound to catch her eye sooner or later. Once her life is no longer in danger, that is.” Gwen went to the door, giving his shoulder a friendly slap on her way past. “But for now, she’s all yours. ’Night boss.”
All mine?
Emmett turned as his teammate stepped out into the hall. “Call if you need anything. Otherwise, I’ll see you first thing in the morning.”
She shut the door, leaving him there to wonder if her words had intentionally held a much deeper meaning.
He went to the control panel mounted on the wall near the door. His legs moved woodenly, his mind filled with all sorts of conflicting thoughts as he double-checked the alarm a final time.
Emmett went to the kitchen, grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator, and downed the entire thing in one huge, seconds-long gulp. He tossed the bottle and its cap into the can marked for recycling and started for the hall.
The water didn’t help. Neither did a long, cold shower. Hoping a full belly would do the trick, he left his bedroom for the kitchen despite not being hungry in the least.
