Page 18 of A Moment Never Forgotten
Her eyes raked over his body from his gray-tipped temples to his dress boots and then back up. Her grin matched that of the woman under discussion. “Oh, yeah, you’ve still got it.”
“Good to know.” He was happy that at least she thought so.
Her expression changed to one filled with questions. “Do men think it’s exciting when a woman carries a gun?” Berit’s question made him pause and think.
“I can’t speak for all men, but it doesn’t bother me one way or the other. I understand that some may be intimidated by women who always have a gun within reach.” He chuckled. “I think they’re afraid she’s going to use it on them. We men can be assholes and not even realize it. Flipside, there are men out there who don’t believe women could pull the trigger, so they have no business carrying the gun.”
“I assure you I can pull the trigger when necessary…and have.” She stepped closer to him and he suddenly smelled her spicy shampoo. Just above a whisper, she added, “I doubt my body count is anywhere near yours, but mine is in the double digits. I hope that doesn’t frighten you off. I enjoyed our meal together.”
Micah wasn’t sure how he felt about dating a woman who had a body count that high and carried a gun. Then he thought about Elizabeth and Teagan. Both of them had killed while in uniform. He’d trusted his life to them, and would again should the circumstances arise.
He reached out and ran his hand from her shoulder to her elbow, keeping her close. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed tonight and hope we can do it again soon. And, by the way, your gun doesn’t scare me. It just gives us one more thing in common, and I find I like that. Your gun is nothing more than a tool to you, just like me. Certainly not here, but maybe someday we’ll talk tools of the trade.”
“Excuse me.” Both of them turned their heads to look at the slight woman in an ornately embroidered abaya and colorful hijab pushing a grocery cart.
Micah pulled Berit to the side giving the shopper plenty of room. “I’m so sorry, we didn’t realize we were blocking the entire aisle.”
“Let’s go check out,” Berit suggested.
As they stood at the counter which served both the restaurant and the grocery store, Micah didn’t feel right discussing anything with Berit. When they left the restaurant, several men that he had rated a nine, stood and left as well. Although he didn’t see them, he felt eyes on him. Berit must’ve felt it also because she too remained quiet.
They stepped up together when it was their turn. “Zala waited on—”
“I have your order right here.” The older woman picked up a small piece of paper from beside the touchscreen register, then squinted at it as though she couldn’t read the writing. Her gray flowing dress touched the floor and her black hijab covered every strand of hair, her ears, and neck, leaving only her wrinkled oval face exposed.
Berit set her basket on the counter then grabbed his bread. “I’ve got this. Matthew and Elizabeth were so kind when I had to interrupt the other night, a loaf of bread is the least I can do.”
“You’ve already done enough,” Micah protested. “You brought that absolutely delicious cake.”
When the woman behind the counter announced the total, Micah handed her his credit card at the same time Berit extended hers. The woman didn’t hesitate. She grabbed his card, swiped it through the reader and handed it back to him before Berit could utter a word.
Bitter cold nipped at their faces when they stepped outside. “Where are you parked?” Micah asked as he looked up and down the empty sidewalk. He’d snagged a great parking spot across the street where he could keep an eye on his only material indulgence. He loved his Shelby Mustang. The six-speed manual transmission was a pain in the ass in city driving but there was nothing like loosening the reins on the five hundred and twenty-six horsepower V8 engine on an Interstate.
“Over there behind the black sports car that’s pulled up so close I’ll have to inch my way back and forth a dozen times just to get out of the parking space.” Berit shook her head. “I’ll bet some ambassador’s teenage son owns it.” Under her breath she added, “Little pin dick.”
Micah didn’t think he parked that close, but then he noticed the car in front of hers was practically touching her bumper. No problem. He had plenty of room behind his.
With his hand on her back, he glanced up and down the street. No cars. “Come on.” They scooted across before the next line of traffic passed through the light at the end of the block. She clicked her doors unlocked as she stepped onto the sidewalk, frowning as she glanced at the car in front of hers.
“I knew I should’ve taken a taxi.” She let out a heavy sigh glancing at his baby.
“I’ll help you get out of here easily.” It wasn’t an offer, it was a statement. Micah didn’t want her to go, but they couldn’t stand out in the frigid air.
He had to make their next date, now. “I’ve narrowed my condo choices down to three. Would you be willing to give me your perspective on them?” Micah had a pretty good idea which one he would choose but he wanted to see her again. To cinch the date, he added, “I’d normally ask Elizabeth, but her doctor put her on bed rest and Teagan has already gone back to North Carolina with her family.”
“I’m so sorry that Elizabeth will be laid up. Chasing two children by himself is going to make Matthew extremely busy.” Her tone was heartfelt, and concern emanated from her eyes. He had temporarily forgotten that all three worked for the CIA.
“I’ve been helping out with Austin, picking him up after basketball practice, but I have to head back to Virginia Beach at the end of the week.” Micah noticed how she hadn’t answered his question. “Could you take a long lunch tomorrow and look at the one I like the most?”
“Sure. I can do that. Do you want me to just meet you and the realtor there?”
He thought about the offer from her perspective, a single woman meeting a man at an empty apartment. She had no reason to trust him and after tonight, they weren’t exactly strangers. He hadn’t given her any reason to mistrust him. Maybe getting away from work wasn’t easy for her.
Berit rewrapped her scarf around her head and neck. She was cold. He needed to let her go.
“Let me make sure Sandi, she’s the realtor, can meet us around noon and then I’ll text you the address.”
“That sounds great.” She glanced at her bumpers one more time.
