“Laugh? Not exactly.” I smiled. “But it’s not cold to me, no.”

Marie looked out the window, a far-off look in her eyes. “I’ve never really been in snow. We drove to Bear Mountain a few times, but it doesn’t feel like winter when it only takes ten minutes down a mountain to get back into the spring, you know?”

“Yeah, I totally get it. I miss the snow.” I stared down at my coffee. I was supposed to be going home with Finn, not alone. “I miss home, too.”

“Me too.” Marie cleared her throat and reached out to grab my arm. “Speaking of missing things, whatever happened with your man, anyway? I didn’t get a chance to ask how things turned out after your parents came to visit.”

She flopped back in her chair, her Starbucks coffee in between her hands. She wore light gray fingerless mittens that were super cute, a matching sweater, and a pair of curve-hugging dark blue skinny jeans. Her blonde hair was soft and clean, and she wore her glasses again. She looked flawless.

I looked down at my own baggy T-shirt and jeans and tried not to compare us. She looked perfectly put together while I looked…well, like a hot mess.

If we weren’t friends, I might hate her.

“Well…” I took a sip of my drink and swallowed. “Remember that job I told you about? The one that might take him away?”

“Yeah.”

I set down my skinny white chocolate mocha. “He’s leaving tomorrow.”

“Ouch.” Marie flinched. “How long will he be gone?”

“Until after Christmas.” I licked my lips and looked out the window, half expecting to see Finn out there watching me. “I don’t really know, because he can’t tell me. His work is kind of…secret.”

“Oh.” Her eyes went wide. “Oh. Wow. Like, a secret agent or something?”

“Yeah.” I forced a smile. “Kind of.”

“Does he wear a black suit and look all hot in it?” Marie leaned in. “Oh, and does he drive a Ferrari and wear sunglasses at night like a movie star?”

I laughed. “No, not all that. He wears suits sometimes, but he has a Harley. Not a Ferrari.”

“Oh, that’s even hotter.” She tapped her fingers on the table and bit down on her lip. “Does he surf and have tattoos, too?”

I blinked at her. “Yeah. But…how’d you know it was him?”

“I saw you two together at the beach the other day.” She narrowed her eyes on me. “You told me he was gay.”

“Yeah…about that?” I leaned in and motioned her closer, as if I was about to impart a big secret. “I’m really a dude. That’s why I didn’t want to shower in front of everyone.”

Marie burst into laughter. “Yeah. Sure. And I’m Kim Kardashian.”

“Hey, it’s possible.” I leaned back and smiled at her. This was fun. I was glad I stopped keeping her at arm’s length. Turned out, Marie was a pretty great girl. “You never know what I have under these jeans.”

“I saw you changing, and I’ve seen your tits.” Marie snorted. “You’re a girl, and he’s straighter than an arrow.”

“Guilty.” I offered her an apologetic smile. “Sorry I lied. We were kind of sort of involved at that point, but in a fight.”

She waved her hand dismissively. “It’s fine. If I had that man in my hand, I’d lie to anyone who asked about him, too.”

“Thanks for understanding.” I reached out and squeezed her gloved hand. “I’m glad we did this. I needed the distraction, and it’s been great.”

“You need distractions because Double-oh-Seven is leaving?”

I laughed. “Double-oh-Seven?”

“Yeah.” Marie shrugged, a small smile tipping one corner of her mouth up. “It seems fitting, since I don’t know his name.”

“I like it.”

“Good. Now answer my question.”

“Yes, I need distractions.” I sighed. “I mean, it’s tough to accept all this. I don’t know where he’s going, or how long he’ll be gone. I don’t even know how much danger he’ll be in…” I broke off, not continuing on. What more was there to say? I think I pretty much covered it all with that sentence. “So, yeah. I’m a bit of a mess.”

“It explains the dark bags you have going under your eyes.” Marie pointed at my face and moved her finger in a circle. “And the pale face, too.”

“Is it that bad?”

“That depends.” She pursed her lips. “Will you be seeing him again before he leaves?”

“He’s packing now, but we’re meeting at his place tonight. I’m supposed to dress up and be ready to be wined and dined.”

“In that case? Yeah, it’s that bad.” Marie stood up. “We need to get going. If I’m going to make you look human and fuck-able, I’ll need all the time in the world.”

A surprised laugh escaped me as she tugged me to my feet. “Geez, don’t sugarcoat it or anything.”

“Honey, we don’t have time for that.” She looked me up and down. “We’ve got to get to work if we’re going to make you look drop-dead gorgeous for your last night together. Are you in, or are you out?”

I followed her, clutching my coffee to my chest. “I’m so in.”

After all…I did want to look perfect for him.

Finn

I shoved my T-shirt into the suitcase on my bed, then headed into the kitchen. I had lasagna in the oven, and a bottle of champagne on ice waiting on the table. I didn’t like supplying her with booze, but this was a special circumstance. It called for a romantic dinner by candlelight…

Oh, shit. I forgot to light the candles.

I grabbed the lighter out of the junk drawer and lit the wicks, making sure not to get too close since I wasn’t wearing a shirt, then stood back to admire my handiwork. The table was set, the food was cooking, and the champagne was ready to go. I had an artificial tree set up in the corner, and a few boxes of ornaments and lights ready to go. We’d decorate it together later.

All I needed was the girl, and she should be here any minute now.

My phone rang, and I crossed the room to see who it was. Her father. Fucking fabulous. I swiped my finger across the screen. “Hello, sir.”

“Coram,” he said, his voice tight. “I spoke to Captain Richards, and he assures me he set a man on Carrie for while you’re away. He says you know this man? This Hernandez?”

“I do, sir.” I sat down on the couch. I still had to get dressed in the suit I’d planned to wear for Carrie, but obviously her father needed a bit of handholding right now. I played with the strings of my board shorts. “He’s a great guy. Excellent at his job.”

Papers shuffled. “And you know him how?”

“We’re in the same unit,” I said, dragging a hand down my face. “And he’s in security, too. He’s basically the California version of me, sir.”

Only he won’t fall in love with your daughter.

“And he’ll take good care of her?”

“Yes, sir. I wouldn’t trust him if he wouldn’t.” I yawned and tried to hide the sound behind my hand. I was fucking exhausted, but I could sleep on the plane tomorrow. I’d be spending half a day up in the air, without much else to do. “He’s good.”

“All right.” He sighed. “I guess she’ll be coming home in a little while, anyway, so it’s not too long without you there. And you’ll be back in January?”

“I believe so, sir.”

“You know…” Senator Wallington paused and cleared his throat. “Arnold told me a little about your mission. Stay safe, son.”

I blinked. Was that actual concern for my welfare I heard? That couldn’t be possible. Could it? I nodded. “Yes, sir. I will.”

“Good. Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas. Keep me posted on, well, you know, your status.” Papers shuffled again. “Also, call your father soon. He misses you.”

I’d talked to him this morning. He’d sounded much better. Even though I had wanted to, I hadn’t told him about Carrie. I’d gotten close, but I decided to wait until we told her father. He didn’t need to be burdened with my secrets.