Page 55 of Embedded
“The face you just chased away. You looked so sad.”
I forced back the lump that threatened to form in my throat. Nicole didn’t need to be a witness to my sorrow; she’d been through enough. Besides that, sorrow leads to questions. “There’s just a lot going on right now.”
“Yeah, there is.” She let it go, but I could see her thinking about it. “Oh, by the way. June is taking me into Redstone tomorrow to get some things I need for this trip. I figured Chase could come along now that he’s feeling better. It was Dr. Roberts’ suggestion, actually. He wanted me to let you know I was going since you’re the one who’s been assigned to look after me when I leave the grounds.”
“Shit, my day’s slammed. My team’s got a lot to do before we head off on our next mission as well.” I ground my teeth and pushed away my nerves of both of them being out in public without me.
“Oh.” She looked disappointed. “It would be so great to have you with us.”
“Yeah, no, I get it.” I looked around. “But you can’t go without someone to watch your back. Ask Cole who might be free. I’m sure Mark has a run to do.”
“Okay.” She cheered up as she seemed to like that answer. Her smile faded as she studied my face. “And, Paul, I’m always ready to listen, so let me know if you want to talk about what was going through your head the other night.”
“Thanks,” I answered too fast and handed her Chase. “It was just work shit.” I spotted my teammate West heading downstairs with a UPS package. “Gotta go.”
“Okay,” she sighed and shook her head, and I turned to hurry off before she could say any more.
Then I stopped at the door. “How are you about leaving tomorrow night?”
“Excited, but nervous to some degree, which will work in my favor.”
I knew we had very little choice, and this opportunity was one we had to take, but this mission was starting to scare the shit out of me the more I thought about it.
“I’ll be fine, Paul, I’m good at what I do.”
“I never doubted your abilities. Things are just different now.” I squeezed her arm and knew we both thought the same thing.
“Good different, I hope.” She gave me a sexy grin. “We gotta go find Cole.” She bounced toward the door with Chase in her arms.
“Very good different,” I muttered out loud. She laughed, and I knew she heard me.
I spent the day working with my team as we tested my newest drone. I couldn’t leave anything to chance. Once I was finally satisfied, the sun was low in the sky. The next morning would be her first full test flight, and I was positive she was ready. I took a breath and let the guys clean up for dinner. I stood back and took a moment to study her. The technology of this one far surpassed my first, and the first one kicked ass. I couldn’t resist just a few more minutes to tweak one of her propellers.
A half hour later, I headed for the house and got myself washed up. As I steered toward the dining room, I spotted Keith outside on the front porch. He was hunched over the railing, and I wondered why he hadn’t joined the others for dinner. I saw Nicole in the hall chatting with Ty, and I gave her a quick wave as I stepped outside to talk to Keith.
“Hey,” I tucked my hands in my pockets when the cold breeze hit me, “you good?”
“Yeah.” He wore that distant stare he often got when his head was working overtime. “I decided to cut ties with Liza.”
“Oh, shit, really?”
“I like her,” he shrugged, “a lot, actually, but when I told her I wasn’t ready for her to meet my kids, she got upset. Said, we weren’t moving forward together, just standing still.” He glanced at me. “She’s not wrong. I offered to spend more time together, but she said I was missing the point. That it wasn’t just about meeting the kids, it was just about me letting her in more.”
“It hasn’t been that long since Lexi died.” I reminded him.
“It hasn’t, but we were finished well before she died.” He let out a deep breath. “I think I’d like a companion, but not a wife.” He let out a laugh. “That sounds selfish, doesn't it?”
“No, man, it makes you sound like you’ve been through the wringer and just wanna try life a different way."
“Yeah.”
“And look, this doesn’t have to be the end with Liza. Maybe take some time, settle your head, and see what happens in a month. If you keep thinking about her, tell her that. If you don’t miss her, then move on. But you ended it, so at least while you figure it out, you’re not stringing her along.”
I gave him a few moments to think then popped him one in the shoulder and laughed. “Hey, what could possibly go wrong? You’re doing it the right way, regardless.” I could see the stress fade as he laughed along with me.
“Thanks, man, I needed that.”
“You got this. Things will work out the way they’re supposed to. Just takes a few bumps before the road smooths out.”
