“What are they after?” Kat asked.
“Hard to say,” Hale said; again, he eyed the room.
“Who is that?” Macey asked.
“The reason I wasn’t flirting with you,” Hale told her.”

“But Hale wasn't just a member of her crew who had messed up. He was Hale. Her Hale. And Kat just wanted him back.”

“What?" He cut a grin at Kat when he saw the impressed look on her face. "Corporate espionage is my second greatest passion.'

"With your first being…" Kat prompted.

"Gelato," Hale said, and turned back to the group.”

“I didn't know there were this many math guys," Hale said as they stepped onto the crowded concourse.
Kat cleared her throat.
"And women," he added. "Math women.”

“I wouldn't mind meeting a dashing thief," the woman's friend whispered. Hale winked at Kat.

Kat raised her eyebrows and whispered, "I'd like to meet one of those, too.”

“Kat felt her heart beat faster, adrenaline pumping through her veins, and she knew he was right. She studied him for a long time. "Do you believe in curses, Hale?"

He looked at her. "I believe in you.”

“Hale!' Kat cried, but the boy only stared at her. 'Fine,' she conceded. 'I love your boat.'

'Ship.'

'Ship… Your ship is beautiful.”

“Do you want to hold it?' she asked, dangling the padded envelope in front of Hale with two fingers.

'No.'

'Do you want to touch it and kiss it and wear it around your neck?'

'Don't be silly,' he told her. 'Everyone knows green isn't my color.”

“Macey couldn't decide whether to be intrigued that Hale was walking around with a state-of-the-art covert communications device or be jealous because she'd been caught without one of her own.”

“Across the room, Hale smiled slightly. 'We can draw you a diagram if you need it.'

'No thanks,' Nick said. 'I think I've got everyone but you.”