"I think it's too risky. At least until we can find more information."
Josie pursed her lips and sat forward. "I get your point, but I respectfully disagree. We're Men of Letters! We're researchers. That doesn't always mean sitting here in the bunker, looking for information we already have here somewhere. It means we go out, try new things, make new discoveries. How do you think this library came about in the first place?"
She knew immediately her excited tone hadn't been received well. His face stiffened. "Yes, we're Men of Letters, and the men will decide what to do here, Ms. Sands."
Her cheeks grew hot but she didn't let her expression betray her feelings. She involuntarily glanced to Henry. He was already starting to speak.
"Sir, if I may. Josie's right. We've been working at figuring this out for a long time. I think we should make a move, or we might lose our chance."
Josie had tuned out the rest, too busy internally fuming over the blatant disrespect she'd been served many times at this table.
Afterward, she'd overheard Henry: "Look, she's one of us, sir. I see no reason for you to treat her as any less. Yes, she's bold—is there any wrong in that?"
"Henry," Josie called after him, following him down the hallway as he headed toward his quarters.
He stopped and turned. "Hey."
She'd grown accustomed to the small acknowledgement smile he gave her when he greeted her, but it still made her gut do a little something. "Thank you for speaking up for me. I appreciate it."
"It didn't do much good," he said with a disapproving frown down the hallway.
"I know, but either way. I'm glad to know someone has my back."
He smiled. "Of course."
She sighed. "I pretend it doesn't bother me, but the way they act, it just…I tire of it."
"I know." One of the things she loved about Henry is that he didn't feel sympathy for her as much as agree with her. "I am working on them, but they don't listen to me much, either."
No, she berates herself. You don't love him.
"Henry, I…" She didn't really have anything to say, so she trailed off. She realized she had her hand on the side of his face and she wanted more than ever to kiss him right there. He was looking at her with a little confused frown, his head tipped slightly to one side and his hand half raised as if to push her arm away.
"Never mind," she said quickly, pulling her hand back to her side. "Good night." She started to pass him to continue down the hall when he caught her arm.
"Josie. If you have something to tell me, just say it. You know I'll listen."
You foolish man. You blind, foolish man. Of course, he had no reason to suspect her true feelings for him. She only very rarely acted as anything other than a close friend, not to mention the fact that he had a wife and son.
"It's alright," she said with a false smile. "It's nothing. I just wanted to thank you, that's all."
He gave and uncertain smile and let go of her arm. "If you say so. Good night, Josie."
"Good night, Henry."
He would never know.
He would never know.