Page 115 of Bad Situation

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Jen

Eli walks through the door balancing two boxes. “This is all of it.”

He was supposed to be here more than an hour ago but texted and said something came up. He moved the rest of his stuff in last night. He’s officially here even though he’s been here every night since we got together.

We haven’t set a wedding date. My mother is trying to make plans for another wedding extravaganza at the ranch that will make Cam’s look like a Chuck E. Cheese’s birthday party. Eli’s mom has called repeatedly with dates their priest is free in Chicago. We’ve been getting daily updates and now I think I know the priest’s schedule better than my own.

It all makes me sick to my stomach and Eli roll his eyes. If there were ever two people who don’t enjoy the spotlight, it’s us, so we’ve made no plans. We just know we’re together and everyone else can pretend to plan our wedding. We’ll do what we want, when we want.

And right now, we enjoy being here, by ourselves. I don’t know how long we’ll stay here in this downtown condo but, for now, it’s our sanctuary. Besides my work travel, we either order in or make dinner together. We workout together—well, Eli works me out since he’s declared himself my very own personal trainer—then we shower and reward ourselves in more satisfying ways than punching a bag.

I go to him where he’s dropped his last boxes on the dining table and lift up on my bare toes to put my lips on his. “Hi. What kept you late?”

He pulls out a dining chair and sits, pulling me onto his lap. I settle in and am not prepared for what he tells me. “A blast from the past showed up today.”

I tip my head. “What does that mean?”

“A guy I met at the end of the MacLachlan case. I never really knew what he did for a living. He showed at my apartment out of the clear-fucking-blue and now I know what he does for a living.”

I frown this time. “What are you talking about?”

He hesitates, but something is smoldering behind his dark eyes. “He made me an offer, Jen. A job offer—a damn intriguing one.”

I don’t like the way that sounds for many reasons. I can’t even order them in my head by importance because I already hate every single one of them. “Doing what?”

He shakes his head. “I can’t get into it, but now I know why the guy knows all he does and, baby, it’s fucked-up. But fucked-up in a way that’s exciting.”

All of a sudden, my appetite disappears. I feel sick. “Where is this job?”

He gives me a squeeze. “Not in the US.”

Now I’m going to be sick for sure. “Oh.”

“And I can’t stop thinking about your offer.”

My eyes lift to his but this time I have no words. I don’t know whether to be hopeful or dread what he has to say next.

He softens his voice. “Baby, as much as it kills me to say no to you, I can’t work for your company.”

I drop my eyes to my fingers and realize I’m twisting his shirt. I let go and smooth the fabric I’ve mangled and nod. I suppose I could beg and plead, but guilting him into doing something he doesn’t want to do isn’t me.

It isn’t us.

I shake my head and have to work for it, but I school my voice. “It’s okay. I understand.”

“I can’t even tell you about the other job. I had to sign a confidentiality agreement just to hear the offer.” I nod and bite my lip. He gives me a shake. “Hey. I’m not taking the other job, either.”

This time I do sound desperate. Or maybe pathetic. Really, it’s both, and pathetically-desperate is a new low for me. “You’re staying at the FBI?”

He shakes his head. “I’m done. After working undercover and living through the shit we did, I need a change. I’ve been thinking on it for a long time. I’m going to start a business. Investigations and security. I need more of a challenge than just working for one company. You want to contract my services, I’ll give you a bid.”

All the tension and then some melts away, taking my muscles with it. I slump in his arms that tighten around me, supporting me like they always do. “I was so worried you’d take a job that would take you away from me.”

“Told you you were mine. That means I’m here and you’re stuck with me. I’m not leaving you for months at a time which is what the offer today consisted of. I’m also not willing to let the Bureau move me again. I’m ready for us to find our simple, not make shit more complicated.”

I fall into his chest. “I know, but you had me worried.”

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