Would it always feel like this? Would I always crave him with such intensity that it scared me? God, I hoped so. I never expected that my time at NAFTA would change my life so dramatically, at least not my personal life. I’d had my eyes on the prize, but I’d won more than a trophy and bragging rights—I’d also won a partner in life. Solo had blown into my path from out of nowhere, just like the hurricane reputation that preceded him. My instincts had been on high alert from day one when I saw him in that shady bar, and they’d ended up being right on. I knew Solo would be dangerous if I got too close, but I never imagined how exhilarating or fulfilling my life would be if I just let my guard down and invited him in.
“Turn around,” Solo whispered.
“If I do that, we’ll be late to graduation.”
“Who cares?”
“You. You’ll miss all the adoration people will throw your way for being such a big shot.”
“On second thought, we should probably get going.”
I laughed as Solo dropped his hands from my hips, then turned to face him before he could go too far.
“I’m proud of you, you know,” I said, grabbing his arm and pulling him back toward me. “When I met you, you were this cocky pilot who couldn’t play well with others, and now—”
“I play well with you?”
I shook my head, groaning. Leave it to Solo to lighten up a serious moment. “Well, you do that well too, but I meant how you are with others. You went from drawing sky penises to actually showing everyone you know your shit and are one of the best pilots in the Navy. That’s a pretty radical change.”
“Well, I haven’t grown up that much. I’d still like to go up there and draw something obscene in the sky for graduation.”
“You would not.”
“I would.”
“Solo, you can joke about it all you want, but you know as well as I do that you don’t have to do something crazy like that for attention. Everyone can already see how amazing you are, like Levy. Hell, even my father.”
Like he was uncomfortable with the compliments, Solo shrugged and looked away. But I wasn’t having that. Not today.
I held his chin, forcing him to look at me, because I wanted him to hear this next part, really hear it. “You know who would think you’re even more amazing if they were here? Your family. God, their jaws would be on the fucking ground watching you. And your brother? I know you idolized him, but I think he’d be thinking the same thing about you today.”
Solo’s eyes grew watery, his jaw quivering ever so slightly. “I hope I…” He shook his head, and I dropped my hand from his face as he wiped at his eyes. “I just want to make them proud. I fucked it all for so long—”
“You were grieving. You acted out. You’re human, as much as you hate to admit it, and hey, maybe drawing dicks in the sky was cathartic for you.”
A choking laugh left Solo. “Well, as long as we’re talking sentimental shit, the fact that you gave your father such an epic beat-down told everyone who the boss in your family is. You took out a fuckinglegend. I know you hated the fact that people assumed you skated through the Navy because of your name, but if anyone is still stupid enough to believe that, I will cut their shit off.”
My head fell back as I burst into laughter. “Oh God. My own personal bodyguard—”
“Fucking people’s shit up. Yes.” Solo grinned.
As my laughter faded, I leaned in and kissed him softly. “Thank you,” I murmured against his lips. “For saying what you did about me and my father.”
“What can I say? I’m your number one fan.” He kissed me again as a horn began to blare outside my room. Just like with the Navy Ball, we’d all rented a couple of limos, but this time I wouldn’t be going alone.
I pulled back and looked over my man, making sure everything was perfectly in place. Dear God, he was gorgeous. Seriously breathtaking,especiallyin his dress whites.
“Perfection,” I said, and as the horn blasted again, I held my hand out. “You ready to graduate at the head of the class?”
Solo laced his fingers through mine. “Damn right. Let’s do it.”
IT WAS STRANGE… I’d always expected this day, the day I proved my worth to everyone, to be the best day of my life. Instead, the ceremony had passed in a bit of a blur as I thought about what would come next.
The graduation itself was held outside on the tarmac under the glaring summer sun, a makeshift stage in the center with several jets stationed behind it. Speeches were made by our commanding officers, as well as the head of NAFTA, and then Solo and I had been presented with our awards. We each received the Elite trophy, and the plaque that had been updated with our names would be seen by all who entered NAFTA.
As proud as I felt to have made it through and come out on top with Solo beside me, the magnitude of what I’d accomplished no longer felt all-important. It felt good, don’t get me wrong, but even if I hadn’t won, I couldn’t say I’d feel any different than I did standing on the stage to the wild applause of my family and fellow trainees. Though seeing my father actually smile was definitely one of the highlights.
“Christ, it’s a scorcher,” Solo said under his breath as he pulled at his collar. “Who thought long-sleeved uniforms in the middle of summer was a good fuckin’ idea?”
