“Plus, there’s the whole long-distance thing,” Lo continued as if Evie hadn’t spoken. “Which, as you know, I’ve never been a fan of. And then there’s—” She cut herself short before releasing a fairly loud sigh. Lo’s gorgeous face filled the computer’s smallscreen as she reached for her previously propped-up phone. “God, I’m such a shit friend.”
The unexpected comment sent Evie laughing. “You’re not a shit anything, Lo.”Far from it.“Where the heck did that come from, anyway?”
“We’ve been on the phone for like twenty minutes, and I’ve been whining this whole time about going on a date with the hottest guy I’ve met in like…forever. Meanwhile, you’re stuck watching my place, twelve hours from your own home, and you have nothing but my plants to keep you company.”
“Well, first of all, you can always whine to me about anything. You know that. Second, the whole point of myofferingto house-sit for you while you’re gone was so that Icouldbe away from home for a bit.”
“I guess so.” However, Lo didn’t sound convinced. “I still don’t get why you wanted to stay at my place in Charlotte after having already been out of the country for two months. Speaking of which, did you ever find out why they cut your teaching program over there short?”
Shards of guilt assaulted her in droves, and Evie’s chest tightened from the knowledge of the lie. She hadn’t told Lo anything about what had happened in Afghanistan, but that was because she’d been…encouraged…to sign an NDA, or Non-Disclosure Agreement, upon returning to U.S. soil.
Apparently, the U.S. Government wanted to keep Tac-Ops’ rescue mission top-secret. At first, Evie had been completely thrown by the suggestion that the team responsible for the save be kept quiet from everyone. Including her best friend. But after hearing Homeland Security’s explanation for the secrecy, she better understood…
Tensions between the Taliban and the United States are already at an all-time high, Miss Mitchell. If those currently holding power over the citizens of Afghanistan were to discoverwe sent Americans into their country, and those Americans caused the deaths of their members—regardless of their extreme beliefs and actions—they could see it as permission to retaliate in an even larger fashion. And by signing this, you’ll also be protecting the identities of the men who saved you and those little girls.
Evie probably would have agreed to the NDA even without the bureaucratic explanation because that’s what her government had asked her to do. After all, going down in infamy as the woman who started World War III wasn’t exactly on the list of things she hoped to accomplish in life.
But it was that last part of the Homeland agent’s speech that had put her hand in motion. The minute that guy began talking about why it was safer for Beckett and his teammates if she never mentioned their existence or the “incident”, as he’d referred to the kidnapping, Evie had already begun signing her name.
Beckett had literally risked his life to rescue her and the girls. Same with Digger, Apollo, and Falcon. So if keeping her mouth shut about them and their heroic actions would help to ensuretheirsafety, then that was exactly what Evie would do.
Even if it meant lying to the only real friend—the onlyfamily—she had left.
“Budget cuts,” she forced out the untrue words.
“That sucks.”
“Yeah, maybe. But I was okay with coming home when we did. It was just such a different world over there.” She kept her additional comments vague. “I don’t know. I guess it was just a much bigger culture shock than I expected. And going from rooms with dirt floors and wearing a burka every time I went out into public back to having all the luxuries of home…”
When Evie’s voice trailed, Lo astutely pointed out, “But you have those same luxuries at my condo, right? So, what’s the difference?”
Her gut tightened as she attempted to defend what she’d hoped was a plausible excuse for having yet to return to her own apartment in Rhode Island or, God forbid, her father’s home.
“I know it doesn’t make much sense, but I just wasn’t quite ready to return to my normal life.” She used air quotes for added effect. “Not to mention, the teacher who’s subleasing my studio will still be there for weeks, so I wouldn’t be able to stay there, anyway.” Not unless she kicked the other gal out early, which wasn’t something Evie would even consider doing. “This way, you can rest assured that your plants will all be lush and green and still living when you get back.”
With a soft chuckle, Lo thankfully seemed to take the lame excuse at face value. “Well, thanks, but I can’t promise I’ll be able tokeepthem alive after you leave.” She twisted her face into a humorous look of discouragement. “I really do appreciate you watching over things for me while I’m gone, though. It’s a great neighborhood, and nothing bad ever happens there. But I still feel better knowing it’s not just sitting dark and empty and ready for the taking.”
“I totally get it.” The tension in her shoulders started to ease. “Now. Back to this date…”
Lo groaned, falling dramatically back onto her bed. “Fiiiine…” She drew out the word. “I’ll go. But if I fall totally and completely in love with this man just to have to leave him behind when I come back in two weeks, you’re on the hook for the obligatory ice cream and wine.”
“Deal,” Evie agreed with a laugh. “What time is this mystery date picking you up?”
“He’s not.” Lo pushed herself back up into a sitting position. “I’m meeting him at the restaurant in…” She gasped when she saw the time on her watch. “Shit. I have to go. I’m supposed to meet him in less than an hour, and I still have to do my makeup and hair.”
“So you’ll be fashionably late. I hear that’s making a comeback.”
An unladylike snort rose from Lo’s throat as she jumped up from the bed and rushed into the attached guest bathroom. “Thanks again for keeping an eye on things while I’m away. And…” Her friend stopped what she was doing to focus solely on the screen. “It wouldn’t hurt you to get out there, too, you know?”
Evie’s brows bunched together with confusion. “Get out there?”
“You know…date.”
“I date,” she countered defensively.
You’re getting pretty good at stretching the truth, eh, Eves?
“When was the last time you went out with a guy?”