“Your mother? Why would her name be there?” Unless. Holy crap.
“My mother wasn’t working for the Peace Corps.” Stella looked from her computer screen straight at him, her eyes hollow with disillusionment. “She was a CIA operative.”
***
Sam would miss these late night walks with Annie when they came to an end, and he knew they would have to end eventually. His job here would be over once she realized exactly why he wasn’t the man for her. For now, he wanted to breathe in the air heavy with humidity from the rain and make the most of every last second with her.
How far was he willing to take that, even knowing it couldn’t last? Somehow he’d lost sight of that end result in his yearlong pursuit of her. At some point he’d become so consumed with making her notice him, he’d forgotten there would be a very real expiration date.
After the way they’d kissed at the school earlier, his time to figure out his next move was coming. Most likely sooner rather than later.
Annie tipped her face into the night breeze, moonlight streaming down over her porcelain face, illuminating the freckles along her nose. “The kids recovered quickly from the disturbing news reports. By supper, they were acting like nothing had happened.”
“You were good with them in the cafeteria.” As they walked onto the playground, he squeezed her hand, a privilege he didn’t take for granted. “You calmly talked them through the television report then kept them occupied with all the cookies they could eat.”
Her laugh rode the gritty wind that twisted swings until the chains clinked. “They’ll be upset later when they realize there’s no dessert for the rest of the week.”
“We’ll add an extra recess.” He punted the ball farther, toward the swing set.
“Wearing them out with soccer.” She nodded, kicking a stray soccer ball. “Good plan.”
“It worked well this evening after supper.” He pointed to the row of dark windows along the dorms.
“Worked for most of them.” She tipped her head toward his conspiratorially. “Khaali stuffed pillows under her blankets again and hid in the bathroom.”
“To read late?” He respected how much she cared for her students, looking after each one like a child of her own.
“Maybe. That’s what she says.” She dropped into a swing, pushing off with her toe. “But I think she just wants some time to be alone.”
He leaned against the metal A-frame. “So she’s asleep now?”
“I gave her a flashlight.” She pulled on the chains and swung higher, hooks overhead squeaking.
“You broke the rules. I like that about you.”
“I’m a rebel at heart, I guess.”
He liked that about her too, more than she could imagine. Damn it, this was getting complicated.
Sliding behind her, he palmed the small of her back and nudged her higher. “The staff party this weekend would be a good time to make our dating officially known.” Because if their time was limited, damn it, he wanted to make the most of it now that finally she’d noticed him as a man. “We could see each other more openly rather than sneaking a late night walk. I could offer you a proper date.”
She glanced over her shoulder and she wasn’t smiling. “You’re a good cook and I happened to enjoy our movie night.”
“Back to the staff party…” he pressed, more determined with each passing second that he was making the right decision. His hand grazed her back again. “Will you go with me as my date?”
She drug her feet along the dusty earth, slowing, stopping. “The staff party would be a sad place to end something that’s only just started.”
His gut dropped. He stepped around to kneel in front of her. “You want to—what is the English phrase?—break up with me already?”
“I think you are rushing things between us.” She trailed her fingers down his cheek.
“I have waited for a year.” And he feared time was running out. He clasped her soft hand.
“A year…” She blinked and stuttered. “I…”
“You are speechless for once.” He kissed her knuckles. “I am amazed.”
“Suddenly you’re a comedian.” She rested her forehead against his.