“Well, I really have been training for the past three weeks,” he said, strangely not offended or upset by her comment. He’d not read her in on the Shepherds’ actual charter, but she’d pieced together plenty. “But that’s not the point. I thought we had an understanding, Maria. You’re no stranger to compartmentalization. I can’t share what I’m working on with you. Just like you can’t share case details with me. Why do you insist on testing me?”

“I’m not testing you, Jed. And I’m not asking to be read in, but I do think I deserve the professional and personal courtesy of straight talk. You know what I’m sayin’?”

He nodded. “I do, but you could also just trust me and know that I’ll share what I can when I can and won’t share what I can’t when I can’t. The reason why I’m traveling doesn’t change the obligation.”

“A fair point,” she said and reached out and clasped his left hand, which was resting on the table. “I’m sorry. I was just looking forward to spending time with you now that you’re back, and to hear you say you’re leaving again is disappointing.”

He squeezed her hand. “I’m disappointed too. Believe me, this thing I’m working on now, I wish I wasn’t . . . I really wish I wasn’t.”

The temptation to sneak in and read her thoughts was overpowering, but he fought off the compulsion. Like Sarah Beth was fond of pointing out, It’s rude to snoop.

“What’s that look for?” she asked with a cautious smile.

“Just wondering what you’re thinking . . .”

“Ah, that’s easy. I’m wondering about us.”

“And what exactly are you wondering?”

“Whether we have a future together or if we’re both destined to be perpetually single.”

Feeling strangely unburdened after the conversation with Rachel, he said, “I’ve never been one for making guarantees about the future, but I’m interested in exploring how a future with you in my life might play out. . . . What about you?”

She answered by leaning in and staring into his eyes.

Much to his own surprise, he found himself leaning across the table to kiss her. The instant their lips made contact, her gravity sucked him into her headspace. Inside, he felt a confusing symphony of emotions from her—yearning and desperation, victory and shame. She wanted this kiss so very badly and yet he sensed she was at war with herself for liking it.

He finished the kiss and as their lips parted, so did his connection.

If that’s what it’s like to be a woman in love, then I’m glad I’m a dude.

“What?” she said, a coy smile on her face.

“What, what?” he said, grinning back.

“Do I have coffee breath? Sorry if I do.”

“No,” he said with a chuckle. “I liked it . . . I mean kissing you, not your coffee breath.”

She gave his hand a squeeze, then let go. “This was nice, Jed, but I’ve got a spin class in a few minutes I need to get to.”