“Hey, Max,” I say, knocking on the office door. He glances up and motions for me to come in.

“Have a seat.” It seems like yesterday I was sitting here interviewing with him, yet it’s been almost two months. So much has transpired since then. “How are you adjusting? I heard something about you and Ell.” Max likes to get straight to the point. Stone let me decide who I would tell about Everly, but I'm obligated to tell Max since I used his resources.

“It's different, but the transition is going as well. Although, being part of the team has certainly helped. Now, about Ellie… remember when you asked about skeletons in my closet?” His brow lifts and he nods slowly. I tell him everything up to that point. 

“Why did she change her name?”

I shake my head and sigh. “I'm not sure. She doesn’t have her old memories. It's possible, she wanted a clean slate.”

“Sounds like someone else,” he grumbles. He runs his hands through his hair in frustration.

“Does this have to do with the woman you traveled to California for?”    

“She’s not up for discussion.” The way he shuts down the conversation is telling. I nod, deciding it’s probably best I drop the subject.

“It’s not a problem that I’m with Ellie, right?” I do worry that my work ethic will be called into question if he thinks I’m spending all my time thinking about Ellie. As much as my mind is occupied with her, I know how to turn it off.

“She’s a friend of the group, but she’s not our business, so as long as you can keep your head out of your ass and do your job, I’m good with it.”

I give him an accusatory stare knowing his case in California is crossing that line. “Well if that isn’t the pot calling the kettle.”

He chuckles. “I’m seeing why you’ve got a target on your back with Stone.”

“I live with a target on my back,” I retort. It comes with the territory of being a sniper. I’m a wanted man in countries I’ve never been in. “Max, I shoot straight, and you respect that. I have an idea why you went to California. One look at you when someone mentions her name, it's obvious how you feel about her.” He tents his fingers, staring at me, hating that I'm able to read him. I shrug a shoulder. “It’s what they trained me to do. I notice everything. It’s why you hired me. I’m the best.”

"I certainly didn’t hire you for your humbleness," he belts out a laugh while standing up, reaches into his desk and pulls out a set of keys. I guess he’s done talking. He glances at me, fisting the keys. “Feel like jumping out of a plane?”

I shoot up out of my seat. “Fuck yeah!”

Time to get ready for my date with Ellie. I’m still wired with adrenaline from my jump this afternoon, I should’ve hit the gym to release some of it, but I fell short of time stopping by the store on my way home. Grabbing the bag off my counter, I strut into the bathroom. She might not remember me, but maybe she’ll remember my smell. I pull out the distinct green bottle of Ralph Lauren Polo. I stopped wearing this stuff when I left for the Navy, but it drove her crazy when I did. In a good way. One sniff and her eyes turned as bright as the bottle. Green with desire. 

I slide into Cody’s Corvette, turning over the engine so it roars to life. I’m not a car kind of guy. Give me a truck and I’m set, but this car fucking rocks.

When Ellie’s door opens, my heart hammers against my chest. It’s still hard to believe I found her. The best decision I made was telling her we were taking Cody’s car because she’s wearing a dress that shows off every luscious curve she has. Last time it was disappointing when she changed. My fingers tingle thinking about running them up her silky tan thighs. I need to take my time with her, but it’s hard when every part of my body itches to touch her.

“I’m almost done.” She wanders away, leaving the door open. “You can come in,” she says over her shoulder.

Music drifts out from her bedroom and the scent of vanilla fills the air. I glance around her apartment noticing the flicker of a candle in her kitchen. A camera and a photo book lay on her coffee table. She’s disappeared, so I sit on the couch and open the album, expecting to catch a glimpse into her life outside the bar. I’m surprised I'm not looking at pictures of her at all. Pulling the book into my lap, I flip from page to page, but not before studying each picture. There are two on each page.

“Ah, my project.” I startle at her voice, stunned that I was so pulled in I didn’t notice her watching me. She leans in her bedroom doorway, flashing a shy smile.

"I hope you don't mind. These are… heartbreaking, yet amazing." I see what she meant by I’d have to see it. I continue to flip the pages but stop at one. "This is Pepper.” I look up at her confused and she nods. “Are these all women that Max–"

“Not all,” she interrupts. “There’s a woman’s shelter, close to Max’s place.” I nod, knowing where the place is. Stone took me there and introduced me to the lady that runs the place. But I’m confused about Ellie’s part. “I took those pictures two years ago for a class about narratives and documentary. After I completed the class, I couldn’t stop. I was helping these women, and it was so much more than I ever imagined, deep down, I knew it was my calling. So, I continued. That's the final project.”

“So, you take pictures when they first come in? And then…”

She blows out a heavy breath and looks away for a beat. “I volunteer at the shelter. When they first arrive, I talk with them, gain their trust as a friend. I explain what I’m doing, and we go from there. Some say no and that's okay, I'm still there to help them. Most of these women have been so beaten down mentally and physically by a man that they don’t think they’re worth anything. I take a picture of them, but then a few months later, when they have gone through counseling and we work with them to get back on their feet, I take another one to prove how beautiful and strong they really are. It’s not about their clothes or their makeup. It’s not superficial, it’s real. The life in their eyes, the happiness in their smile, the strength in their posture. I want them to see what courage looks like. I want them to see they are the light in a world of darkness and nobody can take that away.”

I’m speechless. So many things run through my head. The dependent girl I fell in love with has grown into a woman I’m in awe of. I have firsthand knowledge of the courage needed for these women, my mom didn’t have it. What these women have gone through, I lived it.  

“Stop looking at me like that.” She blushes, glancing down.

“Like what? Like I think you’re amazing, beautiful inside and out? Like the more I get to know, the more I want to know? Like I really like you?” I push off the couch and stride toward her, drawing her to me when I get close enough. “I’ll never stop looking at you like that.”

I lower my head so I can kiss her. When she scrunches her nose and pulls back, I pause. “What’s wrong?”

She coughs once and clears her throat. “Nothing,” she says, holding her breath. My brows furrow and I straighten, knowing there’s something.

“Do you not want to kiss me?” I’ve never had that reaction trying to kiss someone. Not going to lie, it stings.

“Oh, no! I’m sorry,” she says, taking a couple of steps away from me. “I want you to kiss me. Especially after everything you said.” Her voice softens and her hand goes over her heart. “But, it’s hard…” She pauses. It’s clear she’s trying to find the right words. “Geez, I ruined the moment.”

“What stopped you?” I’m so confused.

“Cowboy… your cologne is kinda strong,” she drawls, wincing.

I snatch my shirt, pulling it up to my nose and take a large whiff. “You don’t like it?” Not the response I was shooting for.

“I don’t not like it. I think I like your normal cologne better.”

“I don’t usually wear cologne.”

“Oh.” She bites her lip, looking damn sexy.

“Is it terrible?” I continue smelling different parts of my shirt.

“Uh… yes.”

I sigh, dropping my shirt. “Do you mind if we stop off at my apartment so I can take a quick shower?”

“Not at all.”