“Nope.”
“You’regetting married?” He sounds wide awake now.
“Yep.”
“You. The guy who once said that love was for suckers?”
“Yes.”
“The guy who?—”
“Yes! Me. I’m getting married.”
“Who’s the unlucky girl?”
I snort. “Her name’s Rowan.”
“When did you meet? I didn’t even know you were seeing anyone.”
“Yesterday.”
“What?” he shouts. “Oh, my god, dude. Is she a stripper? I can’t believe I have to explain this to you, but she’s not into you. She flirts with everyone.”
“She’s not a stripper. She works at the medical clinic on base and is going to college.”
“So, she’s smart, and she’s still marrying your sorry ass?”
“Yep.”
“Crazy.”
I huff a laugh. “I know. I’m a lucky bastard.”
“Can’t wait to meet her.”
“When will you be back stateside?”
“Well, it was supposed to be tomorrow, but it got postponed. I’m stuck here for another two weeks, so it looks like I’ll miss your wedding. Unless you want to postpone the big date and spend more than twenty-four hours with your girl before you tie the knot?”
“Nope. I’m not stalling and losing Rowan. You can meet her when you get back. We’ll celebrate then. Go out to dinner or something. Maybe you’ll finally find out who your mystery girl is by then, and we can double date.”
“I doubt it,” he growls.
“She still won’t tell you her name?”
“Nope. I keep asking, but she always signs the letters as just yours.”
Devon has had a secret admirer since he was in boot camp. I was there when he got the first letter. He’s been in love with the girl for years, but he still doesn't know her name. I’ve tried to convince him to use our military intelligence to figure it out, but he always refuses. He wants her to tell him herself.
“Is she still writing you?” I ask.
“Yes.”
He doesn’t say “thank God”, but I can hear it in his tone. I think Devon would go a little crazy if she ever wrote him a Dear John letter. I never understood his obsession, but now I’ve met Rowan, I get it. I would tear the whole world apart to find Rowan if she ever left me.
I hear voices in the background, and Devon sighs.
“I’ve got to get going, but congratulations, Grant.”
