Page 4 of No Turning Back
Just then, Aiden walks in, arms full of papers. He kisses Kate hello.
"Okay, guys," I say, mock-gagging. "R-rated in front of the guest?"
"You’re not a guest, Quinn," Aiden says over his shoulder as he heads to the coffeemaker. "You’re like the little sister that never leaves."
"Ha ha," I deadpan.
Kate clears her throat. "So… how’d it go? Did you hear back yet?"
Aiden sighs, pulling out a folder and tossing it on the dining table. "Yeah. The blueprints are officially filed, but now we’ve got to wait on about six different permits."
"Six?" Kate arches a brow.
"Welcome to Austin," he mutters. "We need approval for utility easement, a tree protection plan, impervious cover compliance, and God knows what else. Oh, and apparently we’re too close to the lot line on the south side, so we might need a variance."
Kate groans. "So basically, we wait?"
"Basically," he says, pouring his coffee. "And pray they don’t make us redo the whole drainage layout. Again."
"Remind me why we’re doing this ourselves instead of hiring a firm?" Kate asks, eyeing the mess of papers.
Aiden grins. "BecauseIam the firm, baby."
Kate rolls her eyes, but there’s a smile tugging at her mouth.
I smirk, taking another sip of coffee, but my mind drifts as I watch him shuffle through his plans.
Aiden used to work at NASA. Actual rocket scientist stuff. He was the golden boy, brilliant, and methodical, a little too obsessed with clean lines and efficiency. Everyone thought he was crazy when he quit. Left a prestigious job, steady pay check, and a shiny title to chase something less certain: his own architecture firm.
But he wanted to build something that washis. And somehow, through all the chaos of permits and contractors and custom libraries, he’s making it happen.
Honestly? It’s kind of inspiring. Even if I’d rather chew glass than admit that to his face.
He fiddles with the coffeemaker, trying to sound casual and failing. "So… have you spoken to Markus lately?"
I glance at Kate, who suddenly finds her coffee incredibly fascinating.
"I have not," I say flatly.
"Oh."
"What?" I ask, sensing something else.
"He, uh… he wanted to tell you something."
I raise a brow. "He’s being deployed, isn’t he?"
Aiden finally looks at me and nods. "Yeah."
I smile, small and bitter. "Good for him."
I knew he was going to bootcamp.
You can’t exactly go MIA, lose your entire team, take a self-imposed hiatus, and then deploy again like nothing happened. There are rules. Even in chaos.
But I always knew. Deep down, I knew Markus would find a way back. Because he always does. No matter who it breaks.
I sip my coffee wishing it was something stronger. "Does he know where?"
