“Yes, but only because I can answer it myself. The cruise was a month ago. That's how long it took you to break your promise and go back to investigating on your own,” I said. “I can’t trust you.”
Kassidy didn’t speak at first, looking defeated. “I didn’t mean to break your trust,” Kassidy finally said. “It’s not like I went out searching for danger!”
“You're right. This time, danger came looking for you, and you offered yourself up on a silver platter. That’s even worse.”
“How did I do that?” Kassidy asked.
“You really think that everything was just a coincidence?” I asked heatedly. “They just happened to run into you at a conference about environmentally friendly business practices? And they just happened to bring a folder filled with proof that they’re trafficking crew members? And they just happened to leave it in clear view while they took an ‘emergency’ phone call? That’s too many coincidences. They’re up to something.”
“Well...,” Kassidy started, clearly unsure what to say.
“How could you be so naïve?”
“I'm naïve?” Kassidy repeated. “How dare you!”
“It's either that, or you have a death wish. Which is it?” This woman was on a crash course towards her demise, and it appeared that I was the only one around to stop her.
“Why are you being such a mulkku?” Kassidy yelled at me.
I assumed she’d called me a bad name, but I ignored it. “Because I’m worried about you! As much as I’d like to be, I can’t always be around to keep you safe,” I said in frustration. “What was the point of me taking that bullet for you, if you’re just going to keep putting yourself in danger?”
As soon as the words left my mouth, I watched as Kassidy’s expression morphed from anger to sadness, and I felt like the biggest asshole on the planet. I regretted saying it and wished I could take them back. I wished I could take the entire argument back. But I couldn’t. I collapsed back onto my couch, putting my face in my hands with a sigh. I decided that if we were going to fight, we might as well put all our issues on the table, and deal with everything at once.
“Honestly, I just don’t see how this relationship is going to work. Even if you manage not to get yourself killed, you’re going to transfer to another country in a year anyways.” I admitted in defeat. Even the thought of her moving away broke my heart. “Do you even want us to work?”
I was preparing myself for her to storm out, to tell me that our relationship was over and she never wanted to speak to me again. Instead, I felt the couch dip down next to me, and her hand resting on my thigh. I looked up at her in surprise.
“There’s nothing I want more,” she said quietly. “I truly wasn’t trying to put myself in danger or investigate anything. I was just taking some pictures to pass along to you, but I realize now that it was a mistake, and that it was dangerous. I won’t do anything like that again.”
“Thank you,” I said with relief.
That was only one issue, though.
“As far as my job, I’ve been wanting to talk to you about that, but I haven’t found the right time. Or maybe I’m just a coward,” Kassidy continued, and I looked at her hopefully. “I told you during the cruise that I was thinking about quitting. The more time I’ve spent with you, the more sure I am that I want to resign and find a permanent job here in DC. If that’s okay with you.”
That was the best news I could’ve hoped for. “That’s more than okay with me.”
“You aren’t tired of me? Or tired of fighting with me?”
“That’s impossible. I could never get tired of any part of you, even the arguing. You’re worth every fight, every argument, every disagreement.”
Before I could say anything else, Kassidy leaned towards me, and I met her halfway. As our mouths met, I slid one hand around to cup the back of her neck, and the other rested on her cheek. I could kiss her smart little mouth for the rest of my life, no matter how mad she made me at times.
I wanted to keep the kiss gentle and sweet, to tell her without words how much I cared about her, but it quickly became heated and out of control, her taste intoxicating. I pulled back a few inches, needing to say something before I lost control completely.
“I love you, Sunshine,” I told her, and the smile she gave me was worth every second of frustration that had come before.
“I love you, too,” she said. “But can I ask you a question?”
“Anything,” I told her.
“Why do you call me Sunshine?”
I laughed. “That’s an easy one. I call you that because you bring so much brightness into my life that wasn’t there before.”
“Really? I always thought I was just a pain in your perse,” Kassidy said with a smile.
“Never. You’ve had my heart from the beginning, even before I realized it.”
“You’ve had mine, too.”
28
KASSIDY
When my alarm went off the next morning, I woke up wrapped in Evan’s arms, his chest to my back, and I felt lighter than I had in years. I turned it off and rolled towards him, and his eyes slowly opened, a huge smile on his face.
“Good morning, my love,” Evan greeted me.
“Good morning,” I answered, snuggling closer to him. I wasn’t ready to wake up yet.
“Are we still okay after last night?” Evan asked, and I felt the rumble in his chest as he spoke.
“Definitely,” I answered.
“Good. Because I want to kiss you,” Evan said. He tipped my chin up, lightly brushing his lips against mine, but the kiss quickly deepened. By the time he pulled back, we were both breathing heavily. “If we don’t stop, I’m not going to make it to work today.”
I pulled a pillow over my head and groaned. “That’s fine with me. I don’t want to work today.”
“I don’t, either. But we’re so close to making the Paradise Cruises arrests, and if I miss work today, that’s another day those assholes are still free. But we’ll have plenty of time with each other tonight,” Evan said, kissing me once more before he rolled out of bed.
A few minutes later, he brought me a coffee in bed, made just the way I like it. Sometimes he made me feel spoiled. Evan took a shower as I savored the drink. It was delicious. Then, it was my turn to take a shower.
Once we were both ready to go, Evan stopped me before we headed out the door.
“Can I drive you to work today?” Evan asked. “I’m worried about your safety after yesterday, especially since tomorrow is Independence Day. Plus, I still think that Karen and Alexander attending your conference yesterday was too much of a coincidence.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want to inconvenience you.”
“Completely sure. It’s no inconvenience at all. It just means I get to spend a little more time with you,” Evan said, kissing the place where my neck meets my shoulder.
“You’re sweet,” I said. “I love you, too.” I leaned into him, not wanting to be separated, but eventually, he stepped back.