“Layla isn’t being forthcoming about something, but I have no idea what it is. The others know it too. I can read it in their expressions. So I’m like the idiot in the dark. And it’s clear that they have no intention of bringing me in.”

Aiden was quiet for a moment. “Can I ask you something personal?”

“I think we established that a long time ago.”

“Do the three of them know what happened to you?”

She sucked in a breath. “No. Only Bailey knows, actually.”

“Well, maybe Layla has something in her past that she only wants certain people to know. It’s a matter of respecting her feelings. It isn’t a reflection on you at all.”

“Wow. I guess I hadn’t thought about it that way. Now I feel like a jerk for pouting.” Izzy hated that self-centered feeling, because it was more out of a lack of confidence than anything else.

“I wouldn’t read too much into it. Give her the time and space she needs. She and Viv just went through a crazy traumatic event.”

She looked up at him. “You’re right, as usual.”

He laughed. “Wait a minute. You’re the one who usually has a lockdown on that category. Not me.”

She smiled. Being with Aiden made her happy, but more than that, she felt completely safe for the first time in a long time. They were building something together, and that meant everything to her. “We can share in being right.”

He put his arm around her. “Sounds good to me. How is your work going?”

“I’m still uncertain about whether I should start looking for other jobs.”

“NCIS still doesn’t feel like your career path?”

She shrugged. “I wish I had more certainty, but I don’t. I just can’t help but feel like there’s something else I should be doing.”

“You don’t have to decide right away. All the experience you’re getting at NCIS will help you wherever you decide to go.”

“That’s the thing. I’m not sure I want to be in law enforcement. I became a cop because of my dad, and I don’t regret that. But I’m wondering if I need to start figuring out my own path.”

“Any ideas?”

“You’ll laugh at me if I tell you.”

“I will not.”

She hadn’t told anyone this. Not a soul. But Aiden was her safe space. “I haven’t made any decisions yet, but I signed up to take the LSAT.”

“The LSAT? As in law school?” His dark eyes widened.

“See? You think it’s an awful idea.”

He shook his head. “No. I don’t. I actually think it’s a great idea. But I have to ask—are you sure this isn’t just you wanting to have more in common with your friends?”