He hadn’t been this nervous around Mati since the first time they’d met.
He hovered awkwardly until Hodges came into the room. He took one look at them and went to the kettle, muttering to himself as he got out mugs and tea bags.
Reese wished he’d thought of that. He wished he could kiss her again.
“How was the flight?” Mati asked, drawing his attention.
Hodges snorted.
Reese ignored him. “It was fine.”
Mati smiled, softening her obvious disbelief. “Thank you for coming home so quickly.”
“Oh…you’re welcome.” He was in his own kitchen and he wasfidgeting, for fuck’s sake. With an impatient sigh at his own stupidity, he sat kitty-corner to her. “Actually, I think it might have been our pilot’s first solo flight.”
Mati laughed and tangled her legs with his under the table, making his heart kick over in his chest. He could tell she was gauging his reaction, and he couldn’t fathom what she might glean from the near-panic that was probably on his face.
He didn’t move away, though, despite years of careful self-control insisting he should. She was precious to him, one of the few people he’d allowed to get close, but he’d worked hard to keep the depth of his feelings for her to himself. He didn’t regret that, even now when he wondered if he’d missed the signs.
If there had been any. If he wasn’t reading too much into this.
She smiled and leaned closer. He hesitated, then knocked his knee against hers and smiled back, happy to let her lead.Needingto let her lead.
She ran her foot over his. Reese felt younger and dumber than he had in a long time.
Hodges came to the table with three mugs of hot tea and a plate of Mati’s favorite shortbread cookies. He set it all down and took his seat with a deep sigh.
“I’m sorry to say this, but I have no idea how they got the front door open.”
Reese’s delight chilled considerably. “None?”
Hodges shook his head.
“Could I have left it unlocked?” Mati asked.
“You didn’t,” Hodges said, patting her hand.
“Could they have a physical key?” Reese asked, though it seemed impossible. He and Hodges had the only two copies that weren’t in the safe.
Hodges sighed. “No. I think they had a device to unlock it through the Bluetooth. The log doesn’t make sense, though.”
Unease prickled down Reese’s spine. They’d invested in those locks for a reason, and not just because it was cool to be able to unlock the door with their phones. “They hacked our security?”
“Maybe? I don’t know.” Hodges rubbed his face. “As far as I can tell, they only hacked the front door lock, not the whole system, but I can’t be sure.”
They all looked up at the camera in the corner.
“When will you know more?” Reese asked, his mind spinning with what needed to be done.
“I’ll fix it. You don’t have to worry about that.” Reese opened his mouth to protest, but Hodges cut him off. “But you can’t stay here while I do it.”
Reese didn’t like the sound of that at all. “You think I should go back to Moncton?”
Hodges frowned. “No. Not at first.”
Reese’s heart dropped to his feet when he worked out Hodges’ concern. “You think someone might follow me. Or know that’s where I’d go.”
“I don’t know what to think, but based on what we’ve seen in the past, I don’t think you can take the chance and put them at risk.”
