Page 68 of Shadow Lies

Her eyes widened. “Tonight?”

“Yeah. I thought it was about time we went on a date.”

“A date.” Jeez. All she could do was parrot what he said.

He didn’t seem to mind as he tipped his head and looked amused. “Yes. A date. Now that I’m home there’s nothing stopping us. Unless you don’t want to…”

“I want to,” she rushed to say.

He grinned at her enthusiasm, but quickly sobered.

Reaching out to take her hand in his, he said, “I owe you an apology for how I left in Beijing. I shouldn’t have snuck out.”

“It’s fine.”

“No. It’s not. I should have said a proper goodbye. I’m sorry. I’m hoping you’ll let me make it up to you.”

“Okay,” she said, wondering if she should pinch herself since this seemed like a dream. “Are you really home for good?” she asked.

“Yes. It took a minute, but I finally figured out what I want to do with my life.”

“What?”

“I applied and got accepted to teach at the school of Asian studies. It’s not much, but it’s a start.”

“Wow. From SEAL, to monk, to college professor.”

He narrowed his eyes. “I’m not a monk. If you’re done here, we can go to your apartment and I’ll prove it.”

She stood, almost knocking her chair over in the process. “Definitely done here.”

But her future with Kane was just beginning.

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