Page 97 of Casualties of War
“Of course I want to ask you what happens next,” Adán said, his voice low. “Every cell in my body wants answers. I want more than an afternoon. I want…” He drew in a breath that shuddered. “I won’t get in your way. I won’t trip you up. Meeting you here in Vistaria has given me a privileged glimpse into your working life. Ifthat glimpse and this afternoon is all I get, then…” He shook his head. “I won’t pretend it won’t hurt. I will live with it, though, because this is who you are.”
“Oh, Adán…” she breathed, her chest aching. “I’m not being fair to you.”
“You’re being you,” he said. “When you go back on duty in three minutes, I will go back to being the actor friend of yours who is slowing down your team and tryingto compensate with local knowledge.”
Parris swallowed. “Kiss me. Before the brakes kick in.”
He kissed her and it was deep and filled with unspoken words.
Someone cleared their throat, nearby.
Adán straightened up with a jerk, his hand dropping away from her.
Locke stood ten yards away, staring down the length of the valley, carefully not looking at them.
“Shift change, Lieutenant?” Parrissaid.
Adán pulled on his shirt and picked up the jacket. He didn’t look at her either.
“There’s a mug of stone stew with your name on it, Captain,” Locke said.
Parris grimaced. Stone stew was what they called a mash of rehydrated rations, poured into one pot and heated. Every mouthful was an adventure. It would be hot and filling, though. “Thanks. I’ll pack up and head back. You wanna walkAdán back to the group?”
“Yes sir.” Locke glanced at Adán. “This way.”
Adán didn’t glance at her or linger to say one last thing. He moved over to where Locke was waiting and the two of them headed back along the gulley, disappearing around the mild bend.
This is who you are. Adán’s voice echoed in her mind.
She packed her backpack, ramming the contents down with little regard. Yeah, thiswas who she was.
Only now, her life seemed unbalanced, as if a hole gaped in one side of it that she had never noticed before.
