Page 99 of This is a Kissing Book

“And figure out how we’re going to get into the Checkpoint Secure building,” I mutter.

When we exit into the evening, the sun is setting, casting distinct columns of shadow off the Memorial. If only my thoughts were so clear, so black and white.

I worry that we’re taking the investigation too far … that we’re taking us too far.

This isn’t only about the letters anymore. Every hour Jules and I spend together, every shared look and inside joke, every moment of seeing her handle unexpected situations with humor and grace, I’m falling a little deeper into something I don’t know how to navigate.

And the worst part is, she still doesn’t know who I really am. Not the hockey player part, or if my father is involved in a fraud scheme—that could change everything, including her employment status.

I can’t let that happen. But what do I do?

I flip my lucky penny and catch it. “In for a penny …”

“In for a pound of trouble,” she finishes, grinning mischievously.

I chuckle. “That’s not how the saying goes.”

“It’s how this saying goes. With us, trouble seems to be the standard unit of measurement.”

She has a point.

The next morning, over breakfast—another spread thanks to room service—Jules exits her room looking adorably sleepy. She sniffs the air as if detecting what may as well be her kryptonite: chocolate croissants.

Finding me on the sofa, she narrows her eyes, shakes her head, and abruptly charges my way. “We are getting into a fight today.”

I nearly choke on my coffee. “Excuse me?”

“We’ve been getting along too well.”

“Is that a bad thing?”

“Obviously.”

Setting down my mug, I ask, “I’ve been awake for two hours. I took a run, hit the gym, showered, and am fully caffeinated. But no, it’s not obvious.”

Crossing her arms, she pouts. “Remember how you used to call me Juliette? Or Yulia?”

“I never called you Yulia.”

“Ha! You so did. That means the wrong names were on purpose.”

Caught. “Well …”

She shakes her head. “We were engaged in a battle of mutually assured destruction, and now look at us. Sharing a fancy continental breakfast like civilized people.”

“The walls came down,” I admit.

She drops into a chair and stares at the floor for a moment before peering up at me, gaze pinched and earnest. “Be careful, Linc. I might start to like it.”

My upper lip quirks. Ah, so that’s what this is about. “I’ll admit that at first, you rattled me.”

“You were such a meanie!”

“We were instant adversaries.”

“Not true. I tried to be friendly Juliana. My mistake. You came in with guns blazing. I could’ve handled the stiff suit and fake cordiality, but you went full supervillain executive.”

“I was very bitter about being at Meridian. I took it out on you. I apologize.”