Austensibly Ordinary by Alyssa Goodnight

Author:Alyssa Goodnight
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp.
Published: 2012-12-26T05:00:00+00:00

When I finally staggered bleary-eyed into the kitchen, after a quick search-and-rescue mission involving my bra, I was charmed to see that Ethan had set a mug out for me. Realization came swiftly: He’d no doubt hoped to curtail any potential snooping. Smirking ever so slightly, I filled the hefty navy blue mug halfway up with coffee and then scrounged through the refrigerator looking for something to use as creamer. Skim milk was the closest thing I found, and that was disappointing. Next I rifled through various cupboards and every shelf in the pantry (so much for not snooping) looking for sugar and ended up utterly exasperated. I was well aware that Ethan drank his coffee black, and it was now obvious that he wasn’t prepared for guests. At least those who took the liberty of inviting themselves.

I took my first warming sip and felt my tongue try to reject it—this brew had run roughshod over the pale, thin dollop of skim I’d added. I looked down at the mug of coffee, giving my mouth a chance to acclimate, seriously thinking about checking the freezer for some vanilla ice cream, and that’s when I noticed.

In bright white relief against that handsome navy blue background, a seal stood out on the mug. A shield, topped with the profile of an eagle’s head, was encircled with the words “Central Intelligence Agency, United States of America.” I stared as my synapses slowly snapped to attention, pondering the possibilities. I took another sip of coffee and nearly gagged. Slipping onto the nearest bar stool, I set the coffee down, pushing it slightly away to save me from myself.

When Ethan had found me asleep on his couch last night after he’d finished his phone call, had he decided to steal the thunder of Question #18 by leaving this mug for me to find? Or had Ethan found this at a souvenir shop and been amused by the implications? Impossible to tell. I’d just pretend I hadn’t seen it and pick up where we’d left off as soon as Ethan found his way out of bed. Until then, I had every intention of making myself a coffee milkshake.

My hand was literally on the freezer door when Ethan appeared, wearing the same pajama bottoms, now paired with a CIA T-shirt. As I stood staring, sizing him up, my eyes jerking from his face to his chest, Ethan propped a shoulder against the wall and crossed his arms over his chest, scrunching up the “C” and “A,” while the “I” stared back at me.

“Morning,” he said, looking me over.

I ignored my rumpled state and answered in kind. “Good morning. I couldn’t find any sugar or creamer, so I was checking for some vanilla ice cream. Do I have a prayer?” Refusing to wait for an answer, I whipped open the freezer door and tipped my head forward, letting the frigid air cool my face and the search give me a moment to regroup.

By the time I resurfaced, without ice cream, Ethan had set a tiny little canister of sugar out on the counter.

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