Page 97 of Blind Trust
“Was it duress?”
“What?”
Nic rubbed a hand on the back of his neck. “I know people say things under duress, and—”
“Nicolás.” Lyla grabbed a hold of his belt loops and pulled him to her. “I don’t know why it took me so long to figure it out, but I love you.” She smiled up at him, the skin around her eyes creasing. “Willfully, stubbornly, recklessly, and completely.”
Inexplicable peace consumed him, and he threaded an arm around her waist and cupped her chin in his hand. “I obstinately love you too.”
Lyla nestled into his embrace, her lips parting as her eyes moved to his lips. He leaned in, wanting to answer the yearning he saw in her face.
“Ms. Fox?”
They both jerked back, Nic left dizzy by the unfulfilled desire. A man in an FBI jacket was holding up a cell phone.
“Someone named CocaKoa or Koakoa...” He shook his head. “You have a call.”
Nic rolled his eyes. “Even miles away, his timing is unbelievable.”
Lyla giggled and took the cell phone from the FBI agent. Nic tugged off his cap and ran his fingers through his hair.She loves me. And he loved her.
What did that mean for his future?
“Nicolás, we need to go to the hospital.” Lyla smiled. “Walsh is awake.”
35
Two Weeks Later
Lyla could barely contain herself. She looked around the Galaxy Bowl-O-Rama and smiled. Balloons and crepe-paper streamers matching the retro colors of the bowling alley enhanced the festive atmosphere, and she couldn’t wait to see Nicolás’s face.
Who was she kidding? She wanted more than to see him—she wanted to hug him, feel his hand in hers, kiss him.
Va-va-voom.
Nicolás definitely gave her the va-va-vooms. Her insides wriggled with the kind of anticipation she’d get before Christmas as a child when she knew the gift waiting under the tree for her was the very thing she’d been hoping for most.Nicolás.
Lyla planned to make the most of the time they had together before he left for Syria, something she knew he needed to do, but her heart was already aching for the absence she knew was coming.
“The cake and the rest of the food is set up.” Lyla’s mom walked over and set down some napkins. “Now we just need the birthday boy to show up.”
“Jack said they’re on their way.” Lyla checked her watch. “Five minutes or so.”
“You haven’t stopped smiling all day.” Her mother’s soft tone drew Lyla’s gaze up. “Are you happy, Lyla Anne?”
Anne, Lyla had learned, was a variation of her biological mother’s name, Annie. When Keith and Catherine Fox adopted Lyla,they wanted to make sure she had a connection to the parents who had sacrificed their lives for their country and their daughter.
There were still days when the reality of the truth behind her birth and life left her feeling unsteady, and both her parents and her grandparents allowed her space, but she realized that while she was heartbroken to have been kept in the dark for so long, it was a risk they took to protect her. And it was a risk to accept that one day Lyla would learn the truth and they could lose her for good.
Hearing her mom and dad speak those words, revealing their hearts, made Lyla see that she was more like them than she believed, and they would be all right.
“I’m happy, Mom.”
Her mother’s eyes glistened with emotion. Lyla’s own throat ached, but she wouldn’t cry today. Sniffling, Lyla hugged her mom and then walked to where her dad was talking with Tom and Sam at a table.
Lyla drew her arm around her father’s waist, and he cradled her against his side, kissing her forehead. “Dad, would you help the DJ pick some music?”
“Sure, honey.” He kissed her head again before letting her go. He paused. “What kind do you kids listen to these days?”
