He finished the piece of scallop he was eating––which was not only perfectly seared but buttery and sweet, too––and looked at Katrina’s mother to see her regarding him with genuine curiosity.So, he told them about the day in the life of a SEAL, talking about the grueling physical exercise, the weapons and tactics training, the classified briefings, and deployments to places most people would never be able to find on a map without the help of an internet search browser.
“The thing I like best about being a SEAL is that you’re part of Team,” he added.“We’re closer than most families, and there isn’t any kind of danger we wouldn’t face, or anything we wouldn’t do, for each other.”
“And do you face danger that frequently?”Jameson asked, leaning back in his chair, his expression almost challenging.“Or is it merely something you constantly train for, but never experience?”
Beside Darwin, Katrina stiffened, and he reached under the table to put a reassuring hand on her knee.
Since he couldn’t discuss––or even confirm––the existence of any of the missions he’d been on, Darwin wasn’t sure how to answer.Not that he thought Jameson would change his opinion, regardless of how he replied.Katrina’s father would never think much of him.
“With the world the way it is, I’ve had multiple opportunities to use the skills the Navy has taught me,” he finally said, leveling his gaze at the man.“And most of those opportunities have involved varying levels of danger, yes.”
That must not have been the answer Jameson was expecting because he didn’t say anything.Instead, he sat there, his expression unreadable.
“You said you also get to travel a lot, right?”Asher said, interrupting the silence before it became too unbearable.“You already mentioned Bali.Where else have you been?”
Darwin could have fist bumped Asher for the save, and as they ate their salads, everyone but Jameson discussed various exotic locales, including Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea.Grace had all of them laughing about her attempts at surfing at Bells Beach in Victoria, Australia, even Jameson.
“So, Darwin, what do you plan to do for a career once you leave the service?”Jameson asked after they’d finished their salad course.“I don’t imagine being a SEAL is something you can do long term.Or are you the kind of man who doesn’t think about his financial future?”
“Dad, that’s enough!”Katrina snapped, eyes flashing.
Darwin wasn’t sure if she was about to start flinging harsh words or silverware.Either way, he wasn’t going to let her destroy whatever was left of her relationship with her father, just to defend him.
He reached out to take her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.“I appreciate you defending me, but you don’t need to.Your father is entitled to his opinion and nothing you’re going to say is likely to change it.”
She clenched her jaw.“Probably not.But that doesn’t mean I’m going to sit here and listen to him insult you because he doesn’t approve of the work you do.If I was interested in dating someone with money, I’d be going out with Upton.”
Eyes narrowing, Jameson opened his mouth, clearly ready to take this conversation to the next level, only for Grace to interrupt him.
She stood and dropped her linen napkin on the table.“Jameson, let’s go check to see what’s holding up dinner.”
With that, Grace turned and walked out of the dining room.Jameson pushed back his chair and followed, a furious expression on his face.
Darwin could almost feel Katrina shaking with anger beside him.He knew he should say something, but wasn’t sure what.The harsh truth was that Jameson had been onto something when he’d asked about his future plans.Darwin honestly had no idea what he wanted to do after he retired from the Navy.
“This was a mistake,” Katrina said.“We should go.”
On the other side of the table, Khloe looked close to tears.“Don’t go.Mom will talk to Dad.”
Beside him, Katrina hesitated, unsure.
Darwin took her hand.“We can go, if that’s what you really want, but we can’t avoid your father forever.We’ll still see him at the wedding.”
She caught her lip between her teeth.“But the things he said to you...”
Darwin gave her a small smile.“I made it through Hell Week.I’m pretty sure I can make it through dinner with your father.”
She let out an adorable sound that was between a laugh and a snort.
“Besides, if we leave, we won’t be able to snoop,” he added.
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.”
Katrina nodded and sat back in her chair just as her parents returned, followed by the housekeeper carrying a tray with the main course, chicken breast crusted in seasoned breadcrumbs sitting on a bed of vegetables and spicy rice.The woman smiled at him as she set down a plate in front of Darwin, the sympathetic look on her face making him think she’d overheard the earful Grace had undoubtedly given Jameson in the kitchen.
No one said anything as they ate.Katrina and Jameson looked angry while Grace seemed disappointed.Across from him, Khloe and Asher seemed uncomfortable.
