Page 13 of Code Name: Tank
“I could say the same thing to you.”
“Fair enough,” he replied, raising his glass in my direction.
I took a sip of my wine, considering whether honesty or deflection would be the best approach. “Experience has taught me that mixing work and personal feelings can complicate investigations.”
“Personal feelings?”
“There’s obviously something between us, Tank,” I said carefully. “At first, I thought avoiding it was the best approach.”
His eyes scrunched. “And now?”
“Now, I’m wondering if pretending it doesn’t exist is more disruptive than acknowledging it.”
“How so?”
“Because of the amount of energy I’m expending avoiding getting too close. It’s counterproductive.”
Tank leaned back, studying me. “Close?”
Rather than a sip, I gulped the rest of my wine, then motioned to the server for another glass. “Come on, Tank. Are you really going to put this all on me?”
“I’ll admit I’m having some trouble following along.”
“You ask good questions without making me feel like I need to prove myself.” The admission was more honest than I’d intended. “It’s refreshing.”
Tank’s grin transformed his entire face. “High praise.”
I searched for the right words. “I try to anticipate potential problems and then avoid them.”
He raised a brow. “Problems?”
“Yes.”
“And how’s that working out?”
The gentle teasing in Tank’s voice made me smile despite myself. “Apparently not as well as I thought.”
Our food arrived—thankfully. Like the night before, Tank had ordered steak while I stuck with the lighter catch of the day.
“So what do we do about it?” he asked before taking a bite.
“About what?”
“The situation. The ‘something.’ The fact that we’re obviously attracted to each other and trying to pretend we’re not.”
The direct statement made my pulse quicken.
“I don’t know,” I admitted. “I’m still figuring that out.”
“Take your time. But, Dragon?” Tank’s stare held mine across the table. “You said yourself that pretending there’s nothing between us is more difficult than just acknowledging it.”
“You think so too?”
“I know so. Because I’m doing the same thing, and it’s exhausting.”
“So what do you suggest?”
“Honesty. About what’s happening, about what we want, about what we can handle”—Tank took another sip of bourbon—“and maybe stop avoiding each other.”
