He laughs. “You only get in trouble if you get caught. I once changed the date of one of my meetings with Agent Walker on his calendar because I forgot about it.”

“Did he ever figure out that you hacked him?”

Luke gives me an incredulous look. “His password was his dog’s name. What do you think?”

Despite how serious this is, I can’t help laughing along with Luke. I know how tempting it is to do those kinds of things just because you can. Most people have no idea how vulnerable they are to being manipulated by people like us. Everyone is one password away from having their entire lives hijacked but most have no idea.

It’s probably better if they don’t.

He brings his coffee to the table in the living room and then collapses back down on the couch. I sit next to him, inhaling his scent. Already it feels second nature to be this close to him, feeling his warmth.

“You’re tired.”

My eyes pop open at his voice and I jerk upright. I hadn’t realized that I’d slumped over.

“Sorry to fall asleep on you.”

“Don’t apologize for being a normal person. Anyone, except for weirdos like me, would be tired by now. Especially after everything you’ve been through today.”

He stands and I watch as he disappears into the back. A few minutes later, he reemerges with a towel, washcloth and a T-shirt folded on top. I accept the bundle and trail him to the small bathroom in the hallway.

“I can get your stuff from the hotel while you get ready for bed. Where’s your key?”

“You don’t have to do that.” It’s an instinct borne of selfishness because suddenly I don’t want him to leave. I have to soak up all the time with him I can. Before he hates me.

“It’s no problem.”

Reluctantly, I pull the key from my pocket. I don’t really love the idea of Luke carting all my stuff around but it’s nice of him to offer. I’m exhausted and practically falling asleep on my feet.

“Just hang out here and I’ll be back. By the way, is there anything else you remember about the guy who called you?”

I hesitate just a beat. “Not really. Oh yeah, he had an accent. Sounded Irish I think.”

Luke pauses, and then nods his head. “Irish? Are you sure?”

“Yeah. Definitely.”

He taps the doorjamb and then walks back down the hall but I still see the look on his face. Intrigued.

Mission Accomplished.

chapter five

†

LUKE

Retrieving Seven’s stuff from the hotel didn’t take long since it looked like she’d barely unpacked. I combed the room carefully, making sure that her laptop bag and suitcase were all she’d brought. By the time I got back to my apartment, the light was off in the bathroom and I couldn’t hear any movement in the guest room so I left her stuff up front. It’s late and she probably needs sleep more than anything in her suitcase. I move quietly down the hall and into my room.

I pull out my cell phone as I drop down on the bed.  My thumb moves over the screen until I have my father’s number on the screen. After months of ignoring his attempts to make contact, I’m put in the position of calling him. I really don’t want to do it but I haven’t stopped thinking about what Seven said.

Irish. There’s no way that’s a coincidence.

Before I can think too hard about the consequences, I hit the number. Fuck it. I’ll just leave a message and deal with it tomorrow. It’s late and I’m not really expecting an answer so I’m startled by the soft, well-modulated voice that answers almost immediately.

“Hi. Sorry, this is Luke Marshall. I need to speak with my father.”

“He’s already asleep. Would it be okay if he called you back tomorrow? I’ll give him your message first thing in the morning.”

“Sure. Thanks.”

I hang up, surprised at how awkward that was. Talking has never been my strong suit but I’m particularly unprepared in this case. What am I going to say? The only piece of information I have in this case is that the guy sounded Irish, which tells us basically nothing. For all I know, Seven got the accent wrong. It could have been a Welsh accent or something completely different.

I peek out into the hallway. The door to the second bedroom is closed and it’s all quiet. She didn’t ask for anything so I assume she’s okay. The entire time I’ve lived in this apartment, I’ve never had guests so I’m sure my hospitality leaves much to be desired.

I close my door and then strip quickly, tossing my sweatshirt onto the end of the bed and stepping out of my jeans. I walk into the hall in just my boxers. Goosebumps spread over my skin as the cool air hits me. I walk quickly because it would be just my luck for Seven to step into the hall at this exact moment and catch me half-dressed. Not that I’m in bad shape. The second bedroom she’s sleeping in is my office but also doubles as a gym since I have free weights in there. Since I’m sitting so much, I put extra effort into my workouts to make up for it but I’m still not used to walking around shirtless.

Under the hot spray of water in the shower, I let my head fall forward and enjoy the steam. I soap up and then wash my hair. My hand fumbles the bottle and it hits the floor. I pause but I don’t hear anything so hopefully the noise didn’t wake her. It’s so weird to think that she’s right on the other side of the wall.

Weird but also slightly arousing to think that she’s so close while I’m naked.

The thought makes me fumble again and I finally just set the bottle on the floor of the shower. Imagining her on the futon wearing my shirt and a smile is way too easy. It screws with my head that she’s so beautiful but it doesn’t feel right to be thinking about her that way.  It’s like she’s trying to take up two spaces in my head, friend and fantasy, and I can’t reconcile the two.

Although maybe that’s an accurate description. She’s been a friend but mostly in my head. The connection I thought we shared was mainly of my own imagination.

The thought is depressing so I dry off quickly and then wrap the towel around my waist. Back in my room, I climb into bed nude and then shut off the light. But it’s a long time before I fall asleep.

†

The next morning I wake before the sun. My first thought is of the beautiful girl sleeping in my guest room. I’m struck with the need to see her, to make sure the prior day wasn’t some weird dream.

Excitement spurs my movements and I practically throw the covers aside.

After dressing in jeans and a T-shirt, I cross the hall and pause outside the second bedroom. It’s quiet.

“Seven?” I listen for a moment but I don’t hear any movement. She’s definitely still asleep.

Of course she’s still asleep weirdo. Normal people aren’t awake this early. 

I’m actually glad she’s asleep. Otherwise I’d have to explain why I’m standing outside of her door like a stalker. Mentally berating myself for my crazy behavior, I walk to the kitchen to get the coffee started and then pause at the edge of the living room. Seven is curled up in a little ball on the couch. Her face is scrunched up into a little grimace and her long hair is all over the place. She doesn’t look comfortable at all. Then her eyes pop open.