Page 58 of Resurgent

I flinch instinctively, then force my shoulders to relax before lifting the binoculars back to my eyes.

Theo’s and my mission itself is simple enough: watch Matt and his partner to find whatever object they’re responsible for obtaining, then try to intercept it before they can make the drop to their contact.

Unfortunately for me, Captain Lin and Major Halden also want to test where my morphing capabilities are after everything that’s transpired…and what’s better than to test them by having me place a listening bug on the man who knows me better than anyone else in the world without being caught?

Oh, and because that isn’t difficult enough, I also have to make sure Theo is none the wiser too.

I'm only partially confident in my plan when the unmistakable crinkle of paper comes from beside me.

"...What are you doing?"

"Preparing."

I glance over.

Theo reaches behind his seat and pulls out an entire insulated tote.

Not a backpack—A freaking tote!

My eyebrows raise in question, and it only takes a second before he feels my burning gaze on him.

"What?"

"What... is that?"

"Our stakeout essentials."

"No…the tech bag is between my legs. That monstrosity could practically fit my entire body in it."

His chuckle is low and warm. “Fitting.”

"What was that?”

“Nothing at all…Now, grab whatever looks good.”

He begins unpacking it like he's setting up camp: A family-sized bag of kettle BBQ chips, five types of chocolate bars, beef jerky, roasted corn kernels, gummy bears, cookies, three different flavored sparkling waters, six bottles of regular water, an insulated thermos…another thermos, real cloth napkins.

"Theo..."

He keeps going.

"Oh, and I wasn't sure if you'd want sweet or salty, so I brought both."

He places everything neatly across the center console and backseat.

"I also have apple slices…carrots…a fresh berry medley."

"You packed vegetables."

"And fruit! You have to balance out the junk food."

I blink.

"How long did you think we'd be here?"

He shrugs.

"I don't know. Could be an hour, could be all night."