“Thanks,” Layla said. “Are you ready for the best summer of your life?”
Hoots and hollers filled the room as three boys cheered, half-empty plates of food in front of them.
“Excellent,” Layla said, winking at the boys. “Glad at least some of you are fighting the jet lag, because we’ve got a city to see. I’ll make this short and sweet. I’m Layla, and this is Paige, Nick, and Tyler. If you have any problems, you can always come to any one of us. We’ll get to be great friends over the next few weeks.”
Friends. A hysterical laugh bubbled up in Paige’s throat, but she swallowed it back. She could feel Nick’s eyes on her, assessing. She wished he’d stop.
“I’m sure you all went over the information packet in excruciating detail, but I’m going to go over the rules, just in case,” Layla said. “Rule number one—no matter how much you love each other, members of the opposite sex aren’t allowed in your room.”
Paige’s eyes flicked to the bagel couple, who still clung to each other. The girl’s head barely came to the boy’s shoulder, and his arms wrapped around her in a fierce hug. Paige caught sight of another duo near the front, their hands linked underneath the table as they exchanged secretive smiles. It was obvious there were at least a few couples in the group. Hopefully, they wouldn’t be a problem.
“You’re to stay with the group except during free time,” Layla continued. “There will be no drinking—I don’t care what the legal age is here. During free time, use the buddy system, and let a chaperone know where you’ll be.”
A buzzing filled Paige’s ears as her heart beat rapidly in her chest. The giggling from the girls at the back grew louder. The goth boy near the front carved his initials into the wood tabletop with a fork.
This was going swimmingly.
“We’re almost done,” Layla said. “Girls, be quiet for just another second, okay?”
Miraculously, the noise level dropped once again. How did Layla do that? Paige was pretty sure if she said the exact same thing to this group, she’d get a completely different result.
“It’ll probably take us a few days to learn everyone’s names,” Layla said. “Sorry in advance—we’re trying our best. We don’t want to be disciplinarians, but broken rules will have consequences. Everyone just be cool, okay? Then we can all have fun.”
Paige glanced again at the bagel couple near the buffet table. Somehow, she doubted everyone would be “cool” for the next nineteen days.
“Well, how about we start our vacation?” Layla said.
The three boys whooped again, and the girls near the back giggled louder than ever. Paige’s eyes flicked to the table of quiet students near the middle of the room, instantly feeling a kinship with them.
“Excellent,” Layla said. “We’ve got three days to explore Brussels, before heading to Colmar, France. Today we’ll visit the Manneken Pis, grab some waffles and frits, and explore downtown. Meet in the hotel lobby in twenty minutes. Bring whatever you need for the day, because we won’ be coming back until dinnertime.”
Chair legs scraped against the floor and kids headed for the stairs. Paige’s shoulders relaxed as the room emptied, and she took a deep, steadying breath.
She’d survived her first meeting with everyone. This wouldn’t be so bad.
“That went pretty well, I think,” Layla said.
“You did great.” Tyler offered Layla a warm smile. “You’ve got a way with teens.”
“Maybe I should be a high school teacher.” Layla laughed. “I’m heading up to the room. You coming, Paige?”
“I think I’ll grab some breakfast,” Paige said. Now that the meeting was over, she thought she could manage a few bites.
“I’ll come with you.” Tyler placed his hand lightly on Layla’s back. “I’ve been meaning to ask you …” Their voices faded away as they entered the lobby.
“I’ll grab something to eat, too,” Nick said, his warm voice sending shivers down her spine.
Paige scowled. Her body was such a traitor. Nick wasn’t worthy of warm shivers anymore. “It’s a free country.”
Nick raised an eyebrow and smirked. “In a manner of speaking. They still have a monarchy.”
She’d almost forgotten how snarky he could be. His quick wit and playful banter had been the first thing she fell for.
Paige grabbed a croissant and a packet of Nutella, then made her way to an empty table. A newspaper sat in the middle of it, probably compliments of the hotel.
She smeared Nutella on her croissant, then pulled the paper toward her. The front page had a picture of a solitaire diamond in a gold band. She read over the headline, trying to translate it properly in her head. Contrebande de diamants … Diamond smuggling? She scanned the article, picking out phrases here and there. Terrorists. No new leads. Seemed a murder had been committed in Brussels over the weekend that authorities believed was somehow connected to the crime ring.
“What are you reading?” Nick asked.
She looked up, surprised to see him sitting beside her. How long had he been there? “Just the newspaper,” she said. “I think there’s a diamond smuggling ring here.”
“Can I see that?” He pulled the paper toward him without asking and scanned the article.
Paige frowned, watching him read. “I didn’t know you speak French.”
Nick’s head whipped up, his eyes meeting hers with something she couldn’t quite place. Panic? “Uh, yeah,” he said. “Just the basics.”
“You read the article pretty fast.”
“Just picking out a few words here and there.” He pushed back from the table. “I’d better go pack my bag for the day.”
Paige stared at Nick’s retreating figure, her spine prickling with heat. He’d often taken off unexpectedly while they were dating. She’d chalked it up to his impulsive nature. Now, something felt off.
She pulled the newspaper toward her again, wondering if something had sparked Nick’s abrupt departure. But there was nothing in the article that stood out. She tossed it aside. If she hadn’t been able to figure out Nick while they were dating, she certainly shouldn’t try and figure him out now.
Ten minutes later, Paige stood in the lobby, watching as the kids laughed together in small groups.
Nick sidled up next to her. “Hey,” he said, blowing warm breath onto her neck.
She shivered, taking a step away. Stupid body. Stupid reactions she couldn’t control. “Hi.” She kept her voice purposefully flat.
“What are you doing?” Nick asked.
“I’m chaperoning. Making sure that no one gets left behind in the breakfast nook.”
“They’re teenagers, Paige, not children.” His voice was soft, but the words still stung. “You don’t have to watch them every second. You get to have a good time, too.”
“I know that.” Really, it was insulting that he thought she didn’t know how to have fun. Maybe a little hurtful. They’d had some good times together before he left—at least, she had.
Nick’s shoulders straightened, and he took a step back. “Okay. I’m going to see if Tyler needs anything.”
“I’m not your girlfriend anymore, Nick—I don’t need the play by play.”
He stared at her for a moment more, then ducked outside. Paige did one last sweep of the lobby and breakfast room before leaving as well.
“Hey,” Layla said. She’d pulled her hair back in a high ponytail and changed into cropped pants and a glittery T-shirt that somehow looked runway ready on her trim figure. “Is everyone out?”
“I think so.” Paige tucked a strand of her copper-colored hair behind her ear self-consciously. “We should do a head count before leaving, just in case.”
“Will do.” Layla put her hands around her mouth, creating a funnel. “We’re doing a head count, and then we’ll walk to the fountain. It’s only a couple of blocks.”
Paige mentally recounted each teen as Tyler did the head check, and then Layla started off down the street. Paige brought up th
e rear, and Nick stayed uncomfortably close. Sunlight spilled over the narrow cobblestone streets as cars whizzed past. Fresh air filled her lungs as the laughter of excited teenagers warbled in the air. The kids were spread out over nearly a block, the boisterous boys and giggly girls near the front with Layla and Tyler, while the boy all in black and a few younger girls lingered near the back. Paige opened her mouth more than once to say something to the girls—to try and start up a friendly conversation—but she couldn’t seem to force the words out.
Frustration built inside her, and she folded her arms, holding them close to her stomach. By the time she grew comfortable with this group of students, they’d be heading home, and she’d have to start all over again with a new group.
“Are you okay?” Nick whispered in her ear.
She jumped. “Stop sneaking up on me. It’s annoying.”
“Sorry. I wasn’t trying to be sneaky.”
“Well, you are.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Again, I have to ask—are you okay?”
“Just dandy. Why do you ask?”
He motioned to the group of teens. The couple from the buffet table were slowing their pace, falling toward the end of the line. Layla’s musical laugh floated back on the breeze. “I know this is stressful. I’m really proud of you for doing this.”
It was the concerned boyfriend tone she’d heard so often while they were dating. His silent encouragement had been a lifeline back then. Now, it snapped like a whip.
“Stop talking like you know me,” she said, her words harsh.
“I’m sorry.” The words were a caress she didn’t want to feel. She focused on the couple as they continued to fall back. They walked down the sidewalk with their heads pressed close together and hands in each other’s back pockets. She’d felt that level of closeness with Nick once upon a time.
“Sorry for what?” she hissed.
“For everything. You have no idea how sorry. I want to make it up to you.”
She stumbled on a cobblestone, pitching forward. Nick’s strong hand wrapped around her arm in a moment, catching her just in time.
“Whoa there,” Nick said.
She yanked her arm free and glanced at the students. The goth boy and a girl walked slowly together, the end of the line, but they were a few paces ahead and not paying attention to anything but each other.
“Stay away from me, Nick.” She couldn’t reconcile this kind, familiar Nick with the one who had left her. “I mean it.”
“Paige—”
She quickened her pace, ignoring him. Make it up to her? What did that even mean?
Did he want to get back together?
Paige stuck close to the students for the rest of the walk, all too aware of Nick. They crossed the street, and Paige sucked in a breath, heart pounding for a different reason.
The Manneken Pis statue. They’d arrived.
It was still early—barely eight o’clock—and the crowd around the iron gates was sparse. The fountain was tucked into an alcove between two ancient buildings, stone dark with age and pollution. Flowers lined the top of the fountain as the little boy statue stood proudly. How many times had Paige seen this image in books? And now she was actually here.
In another lifetime, being here with Nick would’ve been a dream come true. She pushed the thought away. Nick didn’t get to ruin this for her. She wouldn’t let him.
Paige wrapped her hands around the iron fence, standing on tiptoes to peer over the top. She’d seen the pictures and read the facts, but the statue was still unexpectedly small, the boy standing perhaps only two feet tall. He was a foot above her eye level, relieving himself into the fountain below.
The girl with strawberry blonde hair stood a foot away from Paige, leaning into her boyfriend. “He’s peeing,” she said, giggling.
“Seriously, why is this fountain famous?” the boy asked.
Paige cleared her throat, and they both looked over at her. She forced away the nerves. This wasn’t any different than teaching one of the undergrad courses. “There are a lot of legends surrounding the fountain. It was created around 1618, and no one is really sure why.”
The girl wrinkled her nose, making the freckles stand out. “What kind of stories?”
Paige easily fell into her teacher roll, grasping onto the familiarity like a lifeline. “One of the more famous stories says that Brussels was once under siege. A little boy was a spy, and discovered a plot to destroy the city. He found the explosives and put them out by urinating. The statue was commissioned in his honor.”
The girl giggled again, covering her mouth when a snort escaped. Paige smiled, feeling much more relaxed. Sometimes she snorted, too.
“I like you,” the girl declared. “Do you know this much about all history, or just the fountain?”
“I know a lot about European history—I have a masters in it.”
“I’m sticking with you, then,” the girl said. “Ryan doesn’t care about history, but I think it’s fascinating. I’m Evie, by the way.”
A thrill of victory shot through Paige. One of the students was introducing herself. Voluntarily. “Nice to meet you. Where are you two from?”
“New York,” Ryan said. “Is that story about the statue for real?”
“No one knows,” Paige said. “But the city certainly loves the statue. He has over eight hundred costumes. Looks like we’ve come on a day when he’s not dressed.”
Evie’s mouth popped open. “Holy freak, that’s a ton.”
Paige nodded. “They display them at the museum. We’ll get to see them later today.”
“Wow. That’s so cool!” Evie said.
Evie and Ryan moved off to talk to the group of loud boys, but Paige smiled, pleased with herself. She’d just had an entire conversation with two of her charges, and she thought it had gone pretty well.
Paige focused on the statue again and pulled out her phone to snap a picture.
Layla walked over and held out a hand. “Let me take a picture with you in it.”
“Okay.” Paige handed over the phone and posed as Layla snapped a few photos.
Nick watched her from a few feet away, his gaze electric. He held up one thumb, and she knew he’d seen her talking to Evie and Ryan. Known how hard it was for her, and was proud of her for doing it anyway.
She scowled and turned away.
Three days, and no leads. Nick leaned against the sturdy wooden headboard of his twin bed and listened to Tyler humming in the bathroom. The wood was solid against his back, nothing like the flimsy particleboard used in hotels in the United States. Or seedy hotels in Amsterdam.
The newspaper article shouldn’t have come as a shock. It hadn’t revealed anything Nick didn’t already know, and his friend at the agency said no new information had come in since they’d last spoke. But seeing the article—knowing the cartel was still murdering—had ignited a fire in him to find out more.
But he’d found nothing.
He closed his eyes, holding a pillow to his face in an attempt to block out the sound of running water. If he could just have a moment of clarity. If he could just think his way around this problem …
The internal investigation had turned up nothing. That left one of two possibilities—either the intel was faulty, or the kingpin had been tipped off and changed his plans. Either possibility seemed to indicate an inside man. But who would’ve had access to that information? The analysts, surely. Everyone on Nick’s team. But it couldn’t have been any of them. They’d lost half their men that night.
The images came then, unbidden. The dark, seedy warehouse on a canal. A glimpse of Skeeter, a druggie Nick sometimes paid for information, right before everything went south. The gunshots that had come from everywhere and nowhere all at once. Devin, falling backward into the water from a hit directly over his heart.
Nick had been ordered back, and he’d fled, knowing there was nothing more they could do for Devin. It didn’t stop the guilt from eating him alive.
; Devin. Paige. Was there anything he could do right?
Paige had been cold and distant the last few days, rebuffing all his attempts to speak to her. He’d watched as she interacted more and more with the students, Layla, and Tyler, loosening up and becoming the Paige he knew and loved.
Love. Two months ago, why hadn’t he seen that what he felt went so deep?
Maybe he had realized it, on a subconscious level, and that’s why he’d fled at the first opportunity.
His phone rang. He tossed the pillow aside and grabbed it. Don’s number.
“Yeah?” Annoyance made his voice harsh. How had he not found a single lead yet?
“Hey,” Don said. “How are things?”
Nick sighed. “Haven’t seen anything worrisome so far.”
“Good.” But Don’s voice didn’t sound relieved. “No unsavory characters hanging around the group?”
“Not unless you count the teenagers.”
“You’re worried one of them might be planning a kidnapping?”
Nick rolled his eyes. It was no wonder Don hadn’t lasted at the agency. “It was a joke—nothing is wrong. It’s been three days of site seeing and the cold shoulder. That’s it.”
“So that’s why you sound so grouchy,” Don said, his tone cheerful for the first time. “I take it Paige isn’t too happy to have you around.”
“Don’t sound so pleased.”
“You like her, Nick. This is your second chance. Take it.”
“You know it’s not that easy. Things are complicated.”
“That’s agent life—deal with it. Keep me updated.” And the line went dead.
A second chance. Nick snorted. He wanted one—more than he had realized until he saw Paige again. But she’d never give him one. Not unless he could provide an adequate explanation for their breakup. And he couldn’t do that while he was still an agent. Could he?
He wasn’t on an undercover mission, so he wasn’t expressly forbidden from telling her anything. And he didn’t need to tell her specifics—just enough to let her know why he had to leave.
It might work. The thought both thrilled and terrified him. Would Paige still have feelings for him if he admitted the truth, or had he destroyed any chance they had at happiness?
Kiss Me in the Moonlight (Destined for Love: Europe) Page 3
