“Is something wrong? You didn’t say anything the whole way here. Are you seeing someone else?” If she’s cheating on me with someone, this ends right here.

Her irises transition from forest green to a bright, vivid green. The transformation is fascinating to observe. Those lips open, and she sits up straight, reaching her full height.

“On the flight here, I was talking about work with my TA.”

“On a Sunday?”

“Preparing for class tomorrow.” She tilts her head and swallows. She’s not telling me the whole truth. “But what about you? Stella told me she thinks you’re seeing someone in San Diego.” Her hands flatten on her thighs, and her elbows splay out to the sides.

I sit back. Damn. I was right. Alex was mad at me the whole ride down here.

“Why are you looking like that? Do you think this is funny?” She’s agitated. That’s not my goal.

“No.” Movement behind one of the windows catches my attention. We may not have much time. “I’m not dating anyone. I’m from here.”

“Why did Stella—”

“I didn’t know she thought that. I visit San Diego a lot.”

Those dark, arched eyebrows seem to fuse above her nose. She analyzes everything. She’s too smart to buy I visit the city because I like it.

“She also mentioned you dated a woman for a case.”

“And?” Is that judgement? We were tracking a fucking terrorist.

“She said you don’t usually date.”

“She’s right.”

“Why me? Because we’re working a case together?”

I blink away rising frustration. This is one of the reasons I don’t do relationships. I hate bullshit crap like this, but I am smart enough to know stating that out loud won’t win any points with Alex.

“I’ve never dated a woman I worked with before. And to clear up things, I never cared for the woman I dated that Stella told you about. If anything, that was similar to an undercover gig.”

“So, you slept with her for the job?”

“If you want to put it like that, yes. Where is this coming from?” She narrows her eyes. “Are you jealous?”

“I guess Stella’s warning bothered me.”

“Stella is relatively new to the team. She doesn’t know me well.”

“I can see how that would be the case. You’re difficult to get to know.”

“Do you think?”

“Yes. You don’t open up easily, do you?” I grit my teeth, not liking at all where she’s headed. “I don’t know where I was going with all of this. I probably shouldn’t have said anything.”

“If it bothered you, if anything bothers you, you should tell me. Otherwise, I’m in the dark. And I don’t like being in the dark.”

“No. You like being in control, don’t you?” I nod with caution, sensing an impending attack. “You handle not being in control better than I thought you would.”

“How do you figure?”

“You haven’t fought the FBI joining this case.”

“My ego isn’t attached to it. I want Sophia home. Only in the movies are cases solved by one person. Nowadays it takes an army. At the right juncture, I’ll get involved.”