Out of Time (Out of Line #2) (Volume 2)

by Jen McLaughlin

  “Saturday for me.” I swallowed hard and turned back to Marie. “Where are you from again?”

  “Three hours from here,” she said, smiling. “So it’s not that long of a trip. You’re from back East, right?”

  “Yeah.” I swallowed a sip of coffee. “D.C., to be exact.”

  “Ah.” She laughed. “So you probably laugh at me when I put on a sweater out here, huh?”

  “Laugh? Not exactly.” I smiled. “But it’s not cold to me, no.”

  Marie looked out the window, a far-off look in her eyes. “I’ve never really been in snow. We drove to Bear Mountain a few times, but it doesn’t feel like winter when it only takes ten minutes down a mountain to get back into the spring, you know?”

  “Yeah, I totally get it. I miss the snow.” I stared down at my coffee. I was supposed to be going home with Finn, not alone. “I miss home, too.”

  “Me too.” Marie cleared her throat and reached out to grab my arm. “Speaking of missing things, whatever happened with your man, anyway? I didn’t get a chance to ask how things turned out after your parents came to visit.”

  She flopped back in her chair, her Starbucks coffee in between her hands. She wore light gray fingerless mittens that were super cute, a matching sweater, and a pair of curve-hugging dark blue skinny jeans. Her blonde hair was soft and clean, and she wore her glasses again. She looked flawless.

  I looked down at my own baggy T-shirt and jeans and tried not to compare us. She looked perfectly put together while I looked…well, like a hot mess.

  If we weren’t friends, I might hate her.

  “Well…” I took a sip of my drink and swallowed. “Remember that job I told you about? The one that might take him away?”

  “Yeah.”

  I set down my skinny white chocolate mocha. “He’s leaving tomorrow.”

  “Ouch.” Marie flinched. “How long will he be gone?”

  “Until after Christmas.” I licked my lips and looked out the window, half expecting to see Finn out there watching me. “I don’t really know, because he can’t tell me. His work is kind of…secret.”

  “Oh.” Her eyes went wide. “Oh. Wow. Like, a secret agent or something?”

  “Yeah.” I forced a smile. “Kind of.”

  “Does he wear a black suit and look all hot in it?” Marie leaned in. “Oh, and does he drive a Ferrari and wear sunglasses at night like a movie star?”

  I laughed. “No, not all that. He wears suits sometimes, but he has a Harley. Not a Ferrari.”

  “Oh, that’s even hotter.” She tapped her fingers on the table and bit down on her lip. “Does he surf and have tattoos, too?”

  I blinked at her. “Yeah. But…how’d you know it was him?”

  “I saw you two together at the beach the other day.” She narrowed her eyes on me. “You told me he was gay.”

  “Yeah…about that?” I leaned in and motioned her closer, as if I was about to impart a big secret. “I’m really a dude. That’s why I didn’t want to shower in front of everyone.”

  Marie burst into laughter. “Yeah. Sure. And I’m Kim Kardashian.”

  “Hey, it’s possible.” I leaned back and smiled at her. This was fun. I was glad I stopped keeping her at arm’s length. Turned out, Marie was a pretty great girl. “You never know what I have under these jeans.”

  “I saw you changing, and I’ve seen your tits.” Marie snorted. “You’re a girl, and he’s straighter than an arrow.”

  “Guilty.” I offered her an apologetic smile. “Sorry I lied. We were kind of sort of involved at that point, but in a fight.”

  She waved her hand dismissively. “It’s fine. If I had that man in my hand, I’d lie to anyone who asked about him, too.”

  “Thanks for understanding.” I reached out and squeezed her gloved hand. “I’m glad we did this. I needed the distraction, and it’s been great.”

  “You need distractions because Double-oh-Seven is leaving?”

  I laughed. “Double-oh-Seven?”

  “Yeah.” Marie shrugged, a small smile tipping one corner of her mouth up. “It seems fitting, since I don’t know his name.”

  “I like it.”

  “Good. Now answer my question.”

  “Yes, I need distractions.” I sighed. “I mean, it’s tough to accept all this. I don’t know where he’s going, or how long he’ll be gone. I don’t even know how much danger he’ll be in…” I broke off, not continuing on. What more was there to say? I think I pretty much covered it all with that sentence. “So, yeah. I’m a bit of a mess.”

  “It explains the dark bags you have going under your eyes.” Marie pointed at my face and moved her finger in a circle. “And the pale face, too.”

  “Is it that bad?”

  “That depends.” She pursed her lips. “Will you be seeing him again before he leaves?”

  “He’s packing now, but we’re meeting at his place tonight. I’m supposed to dress up and be ready to be wined and dined.”

  “In that case? Yeah, it’s that bad.” Marie stood up. “We need to get going. If I’m going to make you look human and fuck-able, I’ll need all the time in the world.”

  A surprised laugh escaped me as she tugged me to my feet. “Geez, don’t sugarcoat it or anything.”

  “Honey, we don’t have time for that.” She looked me up and down. “We’ve got to get to work if we’re going to make you look drop-dead gorgeous for your last night together. Are you in, or are you out?”

  I followed her, clutching my coffee to my chest. “I’m so in.”

  After all…I did want to look perfect for him.

  Finn

  I shoved my T-shirt into the suitcase on my bed, then headed into the kitchen. I had lasagna in the oven, and a bottle of champagne on ice waiting on the table. I didn’t like supplying her with booze, but this was a special circumstance. It called for a romantic dinner by candlelight…

  Oh, shit. I forgot to light the candles.

  I grabbed the lighter out of the junk drawer and lit the wicks, making sure not to get too close since I wasn’t wearing a shirt, then stood back to admire my handiwork. The table was set, the food was cooking, and the champagne was ready to go. I had an artificial tree set up in the corner, and a few boxes of ornaments and lights ready to go. We’d decorate it together later.

  All I needed was the girl, and she should be here any minute now.

  My phone rang, and I crossed the room to see who it was. Her father. Fucking fabulous. I swiped my finger across the screen. “Hello, sir.”

  “Coram,” he said, his voice tight. “I spoke to Captain Richards, and he assures me he set a man on Carrie for while you’re away. He says you know this man? This Hernandez?”

  “I do, sir.” I sat down on the couch. I still had to get dressed in the suit I’d planned to wear for Carrie, but obviously her father needed a bit of handholding right now. I played with the strings of my board shorts. “He’s a great guy. Excellent at his job.”

  Papers shuffled. “And you know him how?”

  “We’re in the same unit,” I said, dragging a hand down my face. “And he’s in security, too. He’s basically the California version of me, sir.”

  Only he won’t fall in love with your daughter.

  “And he’ll take good care of her?”

  “Yes, sir. I wouldn’t trust him if he wouldn’t.” I yawned and tried to hide the sound behind my hand. I was fucking exhausted, but I could sleep on the plane tomorrow. I’d be spending half a day up in the air, without much else to do. “He’s good.”

  “All right.” He sighed. “I guess she’ll be coming home in a little while, anyway, so it’s not too long without you there. And you’ll be back in January?”

  “I believe so, sir.”

&nbs
p; “You know…” Senator Wallington paused and cleared his throat. “Arnold told me a little about your mission. Stay safe, son.”

  I blinked. Was that actual concern for my welfare I heard? That couldn’t be possible. Could it? I nodded. “Yes, sir. I will.”

  “Good. Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas. Keep me posted on, well, you know, your status.” Papers shuffled again. “Also, call your father soon. He misses you.”

  I’d talked to him this morning. He’d sounded much better. Even though I had wanted to, I hadn’t told him about Carrie. I’d gotten close, but I decided to wait until we told her father. He didn’t need to be burdened with my secrets.

  “Yes, sir,” I agreed. “I will.”

  The phone clicked off, and I sat there blinking at it. That had to be the strangest conversation I’d ever had with him. I stood up, fully intent to go get dressed, but my phone buzzed again.

  Jesus, what was with the calls tonight? I picked up my iPhone and glared down at it. I sighed and answered. “What’s up, Hernandez?”

  “I won’t keep you long, but I have a few questions,” he said, his deep voice coming through the line with perfect clarity. “Can I run them by you real quick?”

  “Sure.” I walked to the closet. “But make it quick. Carrie will be here soon.”

  “Right. So she knows I’ll be staying at your place while you’re away, right?”

  “I’ll tell her tonight,” I answered distractedly. I’d left one suit unpacked, and I couldn’t find it. Ah, there it was, behind my jacket. I pulled it out. “What else?”

  “She surfs, but she’s not supposed to surf without you?”

  “Correct.” I flinched. “Though I didn’t tell her that part yet.”

  “Okay. Please do. I don’t want to do it.”

  “I will,” I said, yanking the tie off the hanger. “What else do you need to know?”

  We spent five minutes going over her schedule, then Hernandez sighed. “Okay. I think I got it.”

  “It’s easy. She goes to school. She studies. She shops.” I snorted. “It’ll be the easiest job you’ve ever had.”

  Hernandez sighed. “Why does she need someone, anyway?”

  “Got me.” I sat down on the edge of my bed. “She got kidnapped as a kid, so I guess he’s more paranoid than normal. Honestly? She’s fine alone, but don’t let that fool you into thinking you can relax. He will want constant updates—and if you let something happen to her? You’ll answer to me.”

  Hernandez laughed. “Down, boy. I’m on it.”

  “Good.” I paused. “Thanks, by the way. I appreciate it, man. I can’t go over there without knowing she’s okay, ya know?”

  “I do.” Hernandez sighed. “Or, I guess I do. I mean, I’m not in love and never have been, but I heard it can be rough on the mind.”

  I snorted again. “That’s putting it lightly.”

  “I’ll take good care of her, bro. I promise.” I heard him shut a door or a cabinet. “You go focus on the job, and keep yourself safe.”

  I hesitated. “If I don’t come back…”

  “None of that,” Hernandez said. “You’ll come back.”

  “But if I don’t,” I said, my heart squeezing tight. “Tell her I love her, and take care of her until she moves on. Okay?”

  Silence. “All right, man. I will.”

  I nodded, my throat aching in a weird way. “Thanks.”

  “Go woo your girl now. All’s well here.”

  I nodded. “Later.”

  “Later.”

  I hung up and stared down at my phone. I hadn’t really thought about the whole danger involved when I’d agreed to this plan, but hell, life was dangerous. Just because I was going into a hostile environment didn’t mean I was going to die.

  A bus could hit me tomorrow outside my apartment, for fuck’s sake.

  Why start worrying about what might happen over there when anything could happen here? It was pointless. Life was life.

  You lived, and if you were lucky? You loved and got loved in return. And then, no matter how safe you lived your life, when it was all over, you died.

  Staying in California wouldn’t change that.

  I smoothed my short red dress over my thighs and blotted my lips together. Marie had spent more than an hour on my hair, and even more time debating the best makeup, shoes, and dress to wear. I knew I looked good, even if I felt like a wreck. I wouldn’t let my fear over the future ruin what tonight could be. What it would be.

  It was our last night together, and I was going to make the most of it.

  I slid the key into the lock, took a deep breath, and walked inside. The lights were dim, and candles were on the table. The whole apartment smelled like Christmas dinner, and soft carols played in the background. A bare tree stood in place at the window, and Finn was nowhere to be seen.

  A suit was laid out across the bed, next to his phone. I smiled and walked up to it, running my hands over the soft fabric. I knew how much he hated dressing up, so knowing he was doing it showed me how special he was trying to make tonight. He didn’t have to dress up to make me happy, but he didn’t get that yet.

  That’s all right. I’d have all the time in the world to show him that…once he came back. And he would come back. There was no alternative in my mind.

  The bathroom door opened, and he came out with nothing but a towel on. He saw me standing there and froze mid-step, his gaze sliding up and down my body. “Holy shit, babe. You look gorgeous.”

  “Thank you.” I walked up to him and ran my hands over his damp chest. “So do you. Screw the suit, just lose the towel and we’ll be good to go.”

  He grinned and leaned down, kissing me gently before he stepped out of my arms. “Not happening. We’re having the date I should have given you the other night.”

  I pouted. “But—”

  “No buts.” He dropped the towel, and my jaw dropped as I watched the back view. Hot damn, the boy was fine. I mean, I already knew that, obviously. But still. The way his butt curved from his lower back to his hard upper thighs? Wow. “We’re doing this my way. It’s Christmas Eve.”

  I blinked at him. “No, it’s not. It’s not even Thanksgiving yet.”

  He stepped into his boxers and shot me a disappointed look. “Look at the calendar on the wall.”

  “Okay…” I walked over to the Santa calendar and looked. He’d left the month open to December, and he had crossed off all the days up until Christmas Eve. My heart twisted and tears filled my eyes, but I blinked them away before turning back to him with a smile. “You’re right. Silly me.”

  He grinned and stepped in to his pants. “It’s okay. I’ll forgive you this one time. But as soon as I’m all dressed, the festivities begin. We have a tree to decorate, presents to open…” He walked over to me and wrapped me in his arms, smiling down at me the whole time. “And, of course, some good old-fashioned holiday sex to partake in, too.”

  I rested my hands over his heart, which sped up as soon as I touched him. “Of course. I wouldn’t miss that for the world.”

  “Let me get dressed.” He leaned down and kissed me. “Then we’ll check on dinner.” He kissed my nose this time. “And after that we’ll get started.”

  “Okay,” I said, my voice cracking. This was all so sweet and perfect and so Finn. And I was going to miss him so freaking much. I swallowed hard as he turned away, sinking down onto the couch. He’d put out a bunch of tiny Santa figurines on the coffee table, and cinnamon potpourri, too. “You even got Christmas potpourri.”

  He looked over his shoulder at me. “Huh?”

  “This stuff,” I said, pointing at the bowl.

  “Oh, is that what it’s called?” He shrugged into his shirt. “It reminded me of what my home used to smell li
ke when my mom was alive.” He looked off toward the tree, his brow furrowed. “At Christmastime, she used to put out Santa figures, angels, and bowls of that smelly stuff all over the house. Even in my bedroom.”

  “She sounds like she was wonderful,” I said, standing up and crossing the room to place my hand on his arm. “I bet I would have loved her very much.”

  “And, man, she would have loved you.” He met my eyes, the far-off look he’d had earlier disappearing. But the sadness lingered, despite the smile he gave me. “When I was planning on how to make it feel like Christmas for you, the only thing I could think of was what she would have done. I copied it.”

  “I love it.” I reached up on tiptoe. “It’s perfect.”

  He curled his hands around my waist. “No, you’re perfect.”

  He was wrong. He was the one who said and did all the right things. I was fumbling along, trying to act as if I wasn’t a complete mess. I was probably failing miserably.

  “What did she do for a living?”

  “She was a teacher. Third grade.” He buttoned his shirt, his hands steady. “She said that was the best age to teach because they were old enough to take care of themselves, but they hadn’t reached the cocky, know-it-all stage yet.”

  I laughed. “That sounds about right.”

  “Do you want kids someday?” he asked, his voice deep as he buttoned his shirt. “Little Carries running around the house causing trouble?”

  I snorted. “I think it’s the little Finns that will be causing trouble. Not the Carries. And yeah, I’d like two or three kids in, like, ten years maybe. You?”

  His fingers froze on the second to last button. It wasn’t until he looked at me, all heated eyes and kiss me now lips, that I realized why. I’d mentioned having kids with him instead of the fictional kids with my fictional husband. But when I pictured that life, I saw him at my side. I knew it. He knew it. Why pussyfoot around?

  “I want two or three, too,” he said, his voice raw and his eyes on mine. “And ten years is perfect.”