“Her father is Commander Douglas Salzberg,” Audrey says, reentering the triage space. “He doesn’t approve of Lizzie dating any man on this base.”
The desire to smack my best friend for ratting me out is strong. I could have explained in a gentler way that didn’t scare him off as fast.
“Ah, I see,” Everett says. “You know I’m enlisted in the Army, not the Navy, correct?” Of course, I know this, but he might not understand how close the soldiers and sailors are that share this base. This island might be one of the larger Hawaiian Islands, but it’s not that big.
“I do,” I reply.
“Well, I don’t see what the problem is?”
“Her father will kill you,” Audrey says. “That would be the problem here.” I nudge my shoulder into Audrey’s. I understand she’s trying to protect me from getting into a pickle, and maybe Everett from finding even more trouble here today, but I’m not getting any younger and a date with a Hollywood actor doesn’t sound like the worst idea ever. Some girls would die to be in my shoes right now, maybe even Audrey.
“I’m happy to introduce myself to your father first and ask him if it’s all right if you show me around town?” I’m willing to bet his thoughts are worse than Audrey’s. “In fact, I insist on going about this in that way.”
There goes that dream. “He won’t go for the smooth talk or the charm,” I assure him.
“Won’t you let me at least try?” It’s obvious he isn’t giving up without a fight.
I complete the last of the sutures and tend to the bandages on his hands, hoping the wounds are not severe. “I thought you were trying to stay under the radar here,” I suggest.
“Well, of course. And, I am, but a guy needs to have friends, right?”
“Friends?” I question.
“A guy would be pretty lucky to call a beautiful woman like you, a friend, don’t you think?”
Maybe Dad wouldn’t mind if I showed my newfriendaround base. I raise a brow. “You must be pretty confident in yourself to test the waters with my father, of all people.”
Several minor cuts cover his knuckles, but nothing that requires sutures. “We can just clean these wounds and bandage them up. Then, you’ll be as good as new, Lieutenant Anderson.”
“Good. I’ll have plenty of time to get home and shower before I come pick you up tonight. What do you say? Around six-thirty?”
My heart thuds like a meat cleaver banging against my ribcage. I don’t want to get my hopes up, knowing Dad has no issues closing the door in someone’s face. If we were to sneak around, we might have more of a chance at spending time together than if he does the “right thing” by asking Dad’s permission, but with all eyes upon me, that wouldn’t last long either.
“Good luck, Lieutenant. Mind if I watch how this plays out? I live just a few doors down?” Audrey states.
“By all means,” Everett responds.
I lean back on my heels to peek out from behind the curtain to make sure the nurses aren’t nearby as I break protocol by giving this man my address. “202 Lea Avenue,” I whisper.
“Six-thirty,” he says with a wink, a gesture I’ve seen on film many times. Women love his signature twinkling blink.
My cheeks burn at the thought of going out with him, forgetting about Dad for just a moment. It would be something else. “Sure,” I say.
I secure the last bandage and drop my hands into my apron pockets.
“Thank you for your services here today. I appreciate the help.”
“Anytime,” Audrey says, waving as he walks away out of the small space between us.
“Did that just happen?” I ask, feeling breathless.
“Sign a handwritten death wish to your father? Yes, I believe you did,” she says.
8
Current Day - October 2018
Keiki is arrangingthe pillows on my bed just inside the sliding glass doors. “Sweetheart, it’s time for your afternoon nap,” she calls out.
