“That makes sense. I read a book recently that was set in my town, and the author got so many little things wrong that it kept pulling me out of the story.”
“I guess that’s one of the benefits of fantasy,” he said. “They only get it wrong if they don’t stick to their own rules.”
“True.” She swirled her finger through the condensation on the outside of her soda can before hastily wiping her hand on her jeans. After another sip, she met his gaze. “Why’d you leave the Air Force?”
He got it now. What she was doing. Not testing him, per se, but giving him a chance to share himself with her, to help her know him outside of what they’d been through. Her own private “Ask Me Anything” session. If an AMA was what she wanted, he was more than game. Whatever it took.
“Most of my good friends were already out, so when Kurt gave me a standing offer for a position, I jumped on it as soon as I separated. It didn’t hurt that Jason had been out for a year already and was considering joining Steele too.”
“You’re really close to these guys.”
He smiled. “I am. We went through hell together, either in training or in Afghanistan. In my experience, bonds forged under extreme circumstances are stronger than most.” He hoped she got the hint. “It’s why boot camp is so tough. Among other things, they’re trying to create an instant sense of team among the recruits.”
The way she chewed on her lower lip made him want to lunge across the sofa and kiss her senseless. “Volleyball was like that too. The shared pain brings you closer.”
“Exactly.” He loved that she got it. “Do you still play?”
Her shoulders lifted. “I play beach games a couple times a week. A few of my teammates from high school started the group, and some of them played college ball, so I’m pretty mediocre in comparison.”
“I’d love to see a game sometime.”
“A bunch of girls jumping around in little bikinis?” She wrinkled her nose. “Of course you would.”
When she put it like that… But that hadn’t been on his mind. “No. I mean, I’m a guy, so probably, but I’d really like to seeyouplay. And not just because of the bikini.” He rubbed his palms over his thighs, his mind stuttering on the image of her in a tiny swimsuit. “I’ll bet volleyball is where you got your ability to stay so cool under pressure.”
She barked out a laugh. “That’s ridiculous. I’ve been a nervous wreck since you met me.”
He shook his head. “That’s what makes it so impressive. You might have been freaking out on the inside, but you stayed calm and strong, and handled whatever came at you like a champ. Doubly incredible because you don’t routinely face high-intensity, dangerous situations and you don’t have combat experience.”
Her cheeks turned pink and she toyed with the tab on her drink. “Well…” She cleared her throat, her expression full of skepticism. “Thanks.”
“I mean it.” He leaned forward, resting his palm on the seat cushion. “You were amazing. I think pretty much everything about you is amazing.”
She laughed nervously. “Laying it on a little thick, aren’t you?” Her voice betrayed a deep insecurity, and a longing to believe him that made his heart ache.
Had he done that to her?
No. Not just him. After all, he didn’t know the whole story, but there was the bastard who’d cheated on her. With Megan, no less. No wonder she was gun-shy.
“Honestly, not thick enough,” he said.
She just shook her head and broke eye contact. After another swig of her drink, she said, “Fine. You want to prove to me that you tell it like it is?”
He nodded. If that’s what it took. “Absolutely.”
“Okay.” Setting down her drink, she met his gaze. “Name two things about me that youdon’tlike.”
Lindsey wanted desperately to just give in, to let Todd through her gates, but all the pretty words in the world weren’t enough to overcome her fear. Time, an accumulation of actions and interactions, was the only thing that could make her believe they’d work as a couple.
The risk of giving him that time was that she’d fall more in love, and he would hurt her all over again. But the opportunity cost was huge. If she pushed him away, and he truly loved her, she’d be giving up something incredible.
The early days of a relationship made it hard to see the other person’s flaws, and she worried that he was putting her on some kind of pedestal. And when she fell—as she inevitably would—Todd would walk.
So she wanted him to face the reality of her now.
He leaned back in his chair and raised his brows. “This feels like a trap.”
“Probably.” She took a hit of soda, letting the sweet bubbles burn down her throat, distracting her for one blissful moment from his intense gaze and the house’s odd scent of new paint and hot dust.
