Patriot by M.A. Rothman (summer reading list TXT) 📗

so it was away from her face. “Leopards don’t change their spots, so I don’t even need to answer to that question.”

“I’m just glad I got transferred out from under that guy’s thumb.” Connor said, feeling both relieved for himself, and somewhat sorry for them.

“Speaking of that,” John remarked. “You’ve been on the new job, what … three months? How’s the SIO stuff working out for you?”

“Why? You looking to transfer as well?”

“Nah, I just didn’t figure you for the type. You were so gung-ho, and now you’re pushing papers?”

“John!” Christina smacked him on the shoulder and frowned. “You’re being rude.”

“What?” John looked back and forth between Christina and Connor, looking genuinely puzzled. “Tell me I’m wrong.” He hitched his thumb toward Connor and turned to her. “He was always gung-ho, get there early, leave late, kick ass, shred the names. Typical Special Forces type.” He turned to Connor and said, “You know me, I have no filter—”

“I know.” Connor nodded and smiled. “That’s why you and I get along. I always know where I stand with you. John, the whole Support Integration Officer thing is underrated. I’m still in certification mode, but I’ll be doing lots of traveling, which I like, and who knows, maybe working some diplomatic angles. It’s a change of pace.”

Connor felt guilty lying to his friends about his new job. The whole transfer from one area of the CIA to another, a job classification which is known for heavy amounts of travel, it was all part of his cover story. Nobody could know about where he really worked, even his closest friends with top security clearances could never know.

Chris raised her hand and a young waitress glided over to the table. “Karen, can we get the check?”

“You can get whatever you want,” the waitress said with a wink and ran off.

Connor had been watching the back and forth between the two women since they’d arrived and was amused by it all. The waitress was clearly flirting with Christina, and either she was totally oblivious or she was determined to ignore it. He couldn’t keep the smile off his face when he said, “It looks like Karen has taken a real shine to you. You’re what, twenty-five? She’s probably legal, why don’t you go for it?”

Christina waved dismissively and muttered “asshole” under her breath.

When the waitress returned with the check, Christina took it and focused on the bill, ignoring the friendly smile attached to the waitress.

The teenage server nervously twirled a strand of her auburn hair as she hovered near Christina, who was really beginning to look uncomfortable.

Connor turned to the waitress and bluntly said, “Karen, give us some space.”

With an embarrassed expression, the girl dashed away to another table.

John tossed a twenty toward Christina but she immediately slid it back to him. “You paid last time, it’s my turn.”

“Okay,” John said as he got up. “I have to get going, the wife’s nursing and trapped at home. I’m supposed to be out getting diapers and other crap before the stores close or she’ll kill me.”

“Hey, congrats on the kid. I keep forgetting you joined the ranks of the reproducers.” Connor shook hands with the new father.

John shook his head and said, “Well, if I recall, you’re two years older than me, so you’re overdue.”

“I think step one is get a girlfriend, and so far, that hasn’t been in the cards.”

“That’s because you’re a curmudgeon and won’t let me set you up,” Christina cast a frown in his direction.

John leaned over and whispered loud enough so only they could hear. “All I know is with that cutie waitress of ours, don’t bother trying to make any moves on her. She’s too young for you anyway, and…” He grinned at Christina. “I think she’s batting for the other side.”

Connor laughed as his friend walked away, leaving Christina with an ever-deepening frown.

“Just call me when you’re ready,” the waitress waved from another table as she finished taking their order.

Chris leaned across the table and whispered fiercely, “Do me a favor and just go with whatever I do, okay?”

“O-okay,” Connor said with more than a little hesitation in his voice.

With Chris leading the way, they both got up from the table, the cash for the meal was inserted in the check holder the waitress had provided. She snaked her arm around his and hissed, “Just go with it.”

As they walked toward the waitress, Connor pressed his lips together into a thin line to prevent his smile from becoming too obvious. The look of disappointment on Karen’s face was priceless as Christina held onto him, like a girlfriend might, and handed the girl the bill.

“Keep the change,” she said as she led Connor through the restaurant, past the bar, and into the parking lot where she finally let go of him.

He began chuckling and said, “You know, you could have told her you’re straight.”

As they walked to their cars, Chris canted her head at an angle and with a half-smile said, “What makes you think I am?”

“Sorry…” Connor felt heat rising up his neck and into his face as he realized he’d never heard her talk about a boyfriend, just girls that he’d assumed were friends. “I guess I have no clue.”

“Well, I am straight, but I reserve the right to change my mind at any—”

“La la la,” he made a show of sticking his fingers in his ears and said, “I don’t need to hear this.”

It was a late summer evening in Virginia, and some of the lights were out in the parking lot, so it took some time for Connor’s eyes to adjust. There was a nice breeze that carried the scent of pine and he could tell they were near water. It was something about the smell and feel of the air. The shore of the Potomac was probably only a mile or so away.

They walked through the crowded parking lot, and since they’d arrived at the restaurant at the same time, they’d parked next to each