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might be more impressive.”
    “To whom?” When Jeremy didn’t answer, Jeisa sat straight up in bed. “Are you going to see Alethea on this trip?”
    “I invited her to join me in the Tenin Republic. With their government fending off highly sophisticated rebel attacks, they want their network to be as secure as possible.”
    Sounds dangerous, Jeisa thought, but she knew that was the point. From everything she’d heard about Alethea, she’d be drawn to the area like a moth to a flame. Jeisa tried to remain neutral. This is what he’s worked so hard for. “So they want their own hacker.”
    “Exactly. There have been breaches at one of their military bases th at may have been a hack-guided air strike. I can make sure that doesn’t happen again. It may have been an inside job, though, so it actually makes sense to bring Alethea in on this one.”
    She wanted to yell, “No! It’s too dangerous. Too soon. I’m not ready to lose you yet.” But she stopped herself. Lose him? He’s already gone. She forced herself to sound supportive. “Sounds like the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.”
    “It is,” he said, but he didn’t sound as excited as he should have.
    She took a guess at why and asked, “But you’re not sure you’re ready?” When he said nothing, she pushed past her own feelings on the matter and told him what he needed to hear. “You are. I have no doubt that you’ll win her heart. Do you know why? Because I’ve watched you reach every goal you gave yourself over the last few months. You set your mind to something, and you made it happen. There aren’t many men who can say that. She’ll be impressed—no matter which aircraft you arrive in.”
    “Thanks, Jeisa. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
    Now there’s a real kick in the pants. A man finally says what I’ve always longed to hear, and it’s only because I’m helping him win the heart of another woman.
    “ Good night, Jeremy . ”
    “Oh, before I forget. Marie invited us to Thanksgiving at the Andrades’ house. The Waltons will probably be there. I’d like to go.”
    “So, go.”
    “I want you there with me.”
    No, no, no. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” It’s time to put some distance between us before I make a fool of myself.
    “You know how I am in social situations like that. I need you there.”
    “Thanksgiving is two weeks away. You could be with Alethea by then. Trust me, you won’t need me.”
    “Rushing is not part of my plan with this trip. This week will be all about business—and letting her see the new me.”
    “There was nothing wrong with the old you, Jeremy.”
    “You know what I mean. She hasn’t seen me since Dominic’s engagement party. Things are different now.”
    They sure are.
    She heard the smile in his voice as he joked, “It will take her time to soak in my new awesomeness.”
    Despite the heaviness of her heart, Jeisa couldn’t help but chuckle with him. “She may not recognize you now that your head has gotten so big.”
    “Lucky for me, I have you around to keep my ego in check.”
    Not for long.
    Not once Alethea realizes how wonderful you are.
    “Come with me to the Andrades’ for Thanksgiving, Jeisa. I need you.”
    His words brought unexpected tears to her eyes . She brushed them away impatiently and said, “I’m tired, Jeremy. Let’s talk about it when you get home.”
    “I should be back Friday morning. I’ll bring you those chocolate truffle things you love.”
    “ Brigadeiros?” she asked, her mouth watering. “You are now forgiven for waking me up.”
    His deep laugh sent a shiver of pleasure down her back. “I’ll come straight to your place when I fly back in a couple days and tell you how the trip went.”
    Like a bucket of water to the face, his words shifted her focus back to the reality of what his trip would mean to them. “Sure,” she said with much less enthusiasm. Why not? Nothing a woman loves more than hearing a man talk about