Out of all his options, the lasagna from Addie looked by far the best. Gray took out the container as well as a beer. Was Kiera home tonight? If he called, would she answer? She’d said she needed time. She hadn’t told him not to call.
Think positive. She loves me. It might take a long time, but she’ll come around. He repeated the same sentences numerous times since he returned from DC.
His microwave dinged. Gray pulled out the container of lasagna, the aroma making his mouth water even though, ten minutes ago, he hadn’t been hungry. Addie might not be a professionally trained chef, but she was a damn good cook. He’d thank her again the next time he saw her.
Gray skipped a plate. Instead, he put the container on the kitchen island. He hadn’t bothered buying a table. He ate alone, so the stools at the island worked fine. While he worked his way through dinner, he started checking his email. Gray didn’t get far before he gave up. Shoving the phone into his pocket, he left his dinner behind and he wandered over to the windows.
The heavy rain continued making it difficult to see outside. It didn’t look like the rain would stop anytime soon. He hoped Kiera was at home tonight. The driving rain made visibility difficult and the thought of her driving home tired after a long shift worried him.
Before he realized it, he had his phone to his ear. It rang several times before Kiera’s voice mail picked up.
Since the television held no appeal, he went back to staring out the window.
A loud knock echoing through the apartment pierced the fog in his head. His brother had roped him into sparring the night before, claiming he’d wanted to distract him. Was he looking to do some more distracting? Given his current mood, maybe he ought to be interested, but he just wasn’t up for a repeat performance tonight.
Gray opened the door in time to see his visitor walk back toward the elevator. It took a moment or two for his brain to reconcile what his eyes saw.
The elevator doors opened.
“Kiera, wait.” He almost rushed into the hallway and hugged her.
She turned and looked at him, neither a smile nor a frown on her face.
“Please come in.” He stepped out of her way as she walked back toward the door.
“I hope you don’t mind that I didn’t call first.”
He dreamed she’d show up on his doorstep so of course he didn’t mind. “I’m glad you’re here.” Gray jammed his hands into his pockets before they got any ideas to reach for Kiera. “I tried calling, but you didn’t answer.”
“Forgot my phone at work last night. Since I’m working tomorrow, I figured I’d get it then rather then drive back.” She sat on the couch, the only place to sit in the living room.
The night kept getting better. Kiera was in his apartment and she hadn’t ignored his call. With his luck looking up, did he dare ask the question he needed answered?
“You haven’t bought much furniture. Have you decided you don’t like it here?”
He considered an answer then dismissed it.
“Kiera, I don’t think you came out in the rain to ask me that.”
She gave him a smile. “You’re right, but you could still answer my question.”
“For the most part I like it, but I’m lonely. I’m hoping for a roommate soon who’ll help me pick out furniture.”
Tension stretched between them and, he took her hand.
“You have—”
Kiera pressed her other hand over his mouth. “I’ve done a lot of thinking since DC. More than a lot. It’s more or less consumed me.”
He pulled her hand away so he could speak. “Kiera—”
“Please shut up, Gray.”
Gray’s eyes got wide, but he complied.
“I’ve done a little research, too.” Kiera shook her head. “No, that’s not true. I’ve done a ton of reading since I left DC. I can’t believe you worked as an operative for the CIA. You could have been thrown into a foreign prison to rot or been killed.”
“But I wasn’t.”
She glared at him so he’d be quiet. “Stop interrupting me.”
“My lips are sealed, love.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “I understand why you didn’t tell anyone the truth. It would’ve been dangerous. But I don’t understand why you did it. You’ve got a life that most people only dream about. Why risk it? Did you watch too many Bond movies as a kid or something?”
Gray cracked a smile. “Not exactly. I just wanted to do something besides make more money for my family’s company.”
“You’re telling me you don’t like money?”
“I didn’t say that. I just don’t love business like Trent. Politics bore me to death. I’ll leave that to Uncle Warren and Sara. I couldn’t see myself in the military like my cousin Brett. When the CIA approached me, it intrigued me. It gave me a way to do more with my life. It gave me a way to be someone besides another Sherbrooke. Does that make sense?”