So Many Boys by Suzanne Young

We haven’t done anything.”
    He studied me, reading my reaction, before nodding. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean it like that. It was just hard hearing him describe you—or the old you—and pretending I knew nothing about it.”
    I pulled the ice off my forehead, feeling the onset of a headache. I was truly offended. I’d done everything I could to change my life, and it hurt that Aiden still didn’t realize that. And it made me wonder if he’d been listening to me at all.
    “I told you we’ve stopped spying,” I murmured, sitting up to look at him. I left out the part about my pending investigation of Chloe. Aiden wasn’t in the right frame of mind to hear about that.
    He smiled, narrowing his eyes. “You also told me you quit cheerleading and, well…” He reached out and brushed at the hem of my skirt.
    “I know this looks bad, but the girls need me.” In more than just cheering.
    He met my glare unapologetically. “It’ll always be something, right, Tess?”
    I wasn’t sure what to think about us anymore. Obviously he hadn’t gotten over his trust issues with me. Gosh, you tell one really big lie (for two years), and you never get trusted again. It was hardly fair. I’d said I was sorry.
    We had been quiet for a few minutes when I heard my phone ring from the bedroom. It was good, something to break up the awkward party I was currently hosting on my couch.
    “Do you want me to get it?” Aiden asked.
    I struggled to stand up, but I was a little woozy. I must have hit my head harder than I’d thought. “If you wouldn’t mind?”
    He popped up off the couch and strolled toward my room, his long legs looking effortlessly agile in his track pants. I glanced at the clock on the cable box and saw that it was getting late. I needed to get ready for my surveillance, but I didn’t want to be rude to Aiden. Ugh! I’d forgotten how hard it was to sneak around! I flopped onto the sofa and placed the ice pack over my forehead. Maybe I wasn’t ready for this.
    “Tessa,” Aiden said, making me jump. I hadn’t heard him come back. I looked up to see him standing above me. “It’s Leona,” he added, holding out the phone.
    Oops. She probably wanted a status update…and I didn’t have one. I sat up, feeling unsteady. When I had readjusted my position, Aiden put his hand over the receiver. “I’m sorry for being an asshole,” he whispered.
    I immediately perked up. “It’s okay.” I was ready to make up right now, even with Leona waiting on the phone.
    “I just…” Aiden paused. He pressed his mouth into a smile and shook his head. “Never mind.” He laughed. “We’ll talk about it when you get off the phone.”
    Interesting. Completely set on telling Leona to call back later, much later, I pressed the phone to my ear. Aiden brushed his legs against mine as he moved past. I smiled, warmth spreading all over me.
    I didn’t want to waste any of our time together. Every day I felt us growing farther apart, and even the possibility made my insides ache. So without saying a word, I hung up the phone, leaned over, and kissed him.

ASSIGNMENT 2
    10:30 P.M., SEPTEMBER 17
    The operative rested her boots on the dash of her car as she lounged back, popping her gum. Typically Skinner Butte was full of steamed-up SUVs and Hondas, but tonight was quiet. Just a few people sitting on the cliff, watching the skyline. Her target hadn’t arrived. This case was taking too long. She should have had a confirmation by now. The SOS files never showed a problem like this before. It was irritating.
    She took out her phone, glancing through the messages, both her and the suspect’s. Riley had been texting Megan since the moment she’d left the pizza place, but she wasn’t responding. The operative wondered about this. Wondered if actively not cheating was still enough reason to keep investigating. She decided it was and readied her equipment.
    A few minutes later, a black Ford F-250 pulled up to the