Page 8 of Falling for the Enemy

“Oh, right. Well, remember that horrid professor I’m stuck working with? Professor Sinclair?”

Ella lowered her fork and tilted her head in sympathy. “Don’t tell me, he’s going on the same expedition.”

“Yep. We’re forced to spend time together. And what’s worse is he doesn’t want to go. He’s being forced to go by Professor Brimley. Get this, Brimley thinks it’ll bring us together. He told me Jack and I have to find ways to collaborate, otherwise he may have to let one of us go.”

“Oh no,” they said in unison.

“Yep, and I’ve got the least seniority.”

“That means you’ll lose your position and then you’ll travel to the far corners of the world again, picking up mysterious illnesses and ending up in a hospital that is half a world away,” Layla said.

We both looked at her.

“What? It’s happened. I’m not that far off on my prediction.”

“Well, let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.” Ella looked at me. “Just turn on the Ava charm that we all know and love.”

“Uh, I think charm is Isla’s department,” I reminded her. “I’m not always great at diplomacy either, especially with a hostile opponent.”

Ella laughed. “It can’t be that bad. Surely, he’s not hostile.”

I raised a brow at her.

“Oh boy, that doesn’t sound promising.” Ella picked up her glass of wine.

“Enough about my day, how was the first day at the bakery?” I asked Layla.

“Well, it wasn’t a regular day yet because of the grand opening and the free treats, but tomorrow, we open at seven,and something tells me the line will be around the block.” Layla frowned. “I guess that means I should get to bed early. It’s going to be like the night before starting the new school year. I’ll be too excited to sleep and then I’ll be anxiously looking at the clock, worrying that I won’t sleep before the alarm goes off.”

“It’ll probably take a few days to get into a routine.” I looked at Ella. “How is Rhett’s house going?” Ella had met and fallen head over heels with the elusive, very rich owner of Grimstone Manor, a local house that had been considered cursed. Rhett was busy restoring it to its former glory, and Ella had a big hand in the renovation.

“Well, the floor subcontractor finished with the downstairs, and he starts upstairs tomorrow. The place is starting to really shine. I can see little stars in Rhett’s eyes every time he checks something off his list.”

“That’s wonderful. I’m happy about the house and for Rhett, and mostly I’m happy for you. I’ve never seen you so content.”

Ella sighed dreamily. “Sometimes, I have to pinch myself.”

As she said it, I realized I was ready for that. I was ready for a “gotta pinch myself” sort of relationship, but something told me that was never in the cards for me. But at least I always had my first love—the love of adventure.

Chapter Six

JACK

Iwas in such a funk about this trip and having to break my plans with Holly that I couldn’t concentrate on the paperwork in front of me. I’d brought last night’s leftovers for lunch. Hopefully, I’d have more appetite today than I did last night after I cooked it. I picked up my lunch cooler and walked to the staff lounge, hoping it would be empty. Instead, I got the opposite. It was occupied, albeit by only one person—the one person I’d successfully avoided all morning.

Ava glanced up from her salad. I ignored her and walked straight to the microwave. I planned to heat my lunch and leave so we wouldn’t have to sit in awkward silence in the cramped lunchroom.

“I sent you an email this morning,” she said as I stared stupidly into the microwave.

“Haven’t looked at my emails. I’m sure it was something riveting.”

“I’m booking the flights and buses for the trip, but I need the names of your team members.”

“Still trying to talk people into going. Not to be insulting, but your team of rug rats are not exactly quality researchers.”

“And how is thatnotinsulting? Seems to me the grant society thought they were quality enough to award them the money for this trip.”

The microwave dinged. I opened it and pulled out my lunch.

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