“I’m not Polly Positivity. I see the past with clear eyes. I just don’t want to lug it around like it’s a family treasure.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to insult you; I’m just impressed as hell and would love to have some of that positive outlook.”
“I’ll be sure to add a dose of it next time I make you a pan of brownies.” She let out a low laugh. “I haven’t repeated that story in years and am surprised that my heart doesn’t feel like it’s been stabbed by a hundred little knives.”
Not able to stop himself, he got up and sat beside her. Once they were hip to hip in the booth, he took her hand. “I shouldn’t have asked.”
“I’m glad you did.” She squeezed his hand under the table. “Because if you hadn’t, I would still assume there was more anguish attached to the past than there is.”
“I appreciate you putting a high shine on my nosy questions.”
“I’m an expert at zhooshing things up, so think nothing of it.” She leaned her head against his arm. “Nathan and I have taken that tumultuous beginning and used it as a roadmap of what to avoid. We’re both relentless when it comes to doing the right thing since neither of us wants to repeat the past. It’s our greatest strength as well as our fatal flaw because we sometimes take it too far.” She sighed. “We’re also in love with control and self-sabotage when we let it go too far.”
“Not many people are willing to look at themselves with such an unforgiving gaze.”
“Years of therapy sort of made it impossible not to.”
He looked out the window and allowed her words to crack open the door of a truth he liked to ignore. Silently reviewing his own fatal flaw, he acknowledged that he was a control freak of the highest order and often let his protective instincts go unchecked.
It was a trait that both helped and hurt the people he cared about. He also kept most, if not all, of his feelings safely buried in a steel vault with a moat of denial surrounding them. What would happen if he let that shit go? Was he capable of releasing his need to orchestrate the outcome of every situation?
He ran his thumb over Tancy’s hand and knew it was time to take a page out of her book. “You have a lot to be proud of.” Kissing her head, he inhaled her familiar scent. “You haven’t let anything get in the way of what you’ve wanted to achieve.”
“I appreciate the sentiment but know it pales compared to all your feats of daring and courage.”
“I don’t know about that.” He studied her elegant fingers. “I think you’ve managed some impressive mission success. And you didn’t even have the cool toys at your disposal.”
Tancy sat up and smiled. “Any chance of that changing? I know you’ve got a whole room filled with what can only be described as some very cool spy accouterments.”
He shook his head. “That would be a hard no. You find enough trouble without adding access to explosive materials.”
“You’re harshing my vibe, Teague.”
“And I will continue to do so since I like your company.”
“I seem to like your company too.” She gave him a slow once over. “I don’t know who this new Teague is, but I hope he sticks around.”
“Noted.” He locked their gazes and knew their next chapter was about to begin.
EIGHT
Tancy stepped out of the legal aid office and thought about the conversation she’d just had with Gretchen. The firm wanted her back in DC and was making offers difficult to resist.
You’re not a loser if you stay the course here.
She rolled her shoulders and reminded herself that she didn’t need to give up the peaceful life she had created to join what was sure to be a brutally long, drawn-out fight against the drug manufacturer. Seeing Hayle stride in her direction allowed her to let go of the internal monologue. “What a surprise. I didn’t think you’d be around this afternoon.”
“My last appointment ended earlier than expected.”
“Do you have time for a coffee?”
“Sure,” Hayle replied with a smile. “My paperwork will be much easier if I have a caffeinated brain.”
“Perfect.” She pushed her hands into her worn leather jacket and noticed the air smelled metallic, like a storm was coming. Maybe the promised spring rain would actually arrive like the weather channel promised. “Are you excited about your cousin’s wedding this weekend?”
“Of course. All I have to do is find placements for two kiddos before I leave on Thursday night.” She blew her bangs out of her face. “Hopefully, it won’t be too difficult since they are under five.”
“I admire your dedication. Social work is underappreciated, and the children are lucky to have you.”