“You love getting under his skin, don’t you?”
“Yeah,” I said, watching as Dare texted on his phone as he walked. “But he doesn’t really care what I do. He’s just pissy because he’s got to do something he doesn’t want to do.”
Caleb frowned as he made my iced coffee. “Then why is he doing it?”
I turned back to Caleb. “The man is his brother’s best friend. And he’s kinda in love with him.”
CHAPTER 5
JOHN
I’d beenin Portland for three days and had never been so anxious in my life. I was forty-five years old and couldn’t recall a single time I’d felt this much low-key anxiety for such an extended period. Not even on deployment. When we were sent in, shit needed to be taken care of in a timely matter. My team went in and got the job done.
But waiting around for Brent to get back so we could talk was killing me. There was no way I could decide my future until we discussed our impromptu wedding in Vegas. I just wanted to know when he was coming back.
Coffee. That’s what I needed.
As I walked out toward the kitchen in Jesse’s high-rise apartment, I heard the distinct sound of Livie talking to one of her dads. It made me smile while filling me with regret for the time I’d lost with my daughter.
“Papa, can I have chocolate milk with my breakfast?”
I rounded the corner and stopped to watch them. She sat on the cabinet looking hopefully at Dominick as he scrambled eggs in a bowl.
“I think we better save that for this afternoon. We need to start the day with protein to build strong muscles and make ourbrains work,” he said, leaning over to kiss the end of her nose. “But you can definitely have it after school.”
She giggled as he went back to adding milk and some cheese into the bowl. I continued watching them until Jesse snuck up behind me.
“Good morning,” he whispered, making me jump.
I scowled as he laughed, more relaxed then I think I’d ever seen him. He’d obviously just finished a workout if his sweaty t-shirt and shorts were any indication.
“Motherfucker. Sneaking up on a SEAL can get you hurt.”
He laughed and ran his hands through his blond hair. “True. Whatcha doing creeping on my husband?”
“I’m not creeping on him,” I said, looking back into the kitchen as he plated eggs for his daughter. “I just didn’t want to interrupt them.”
The wistful tone in my words prompted him to put his hand on my shoulder. “You wouldn’t. We’re happy to have you here, John. But I have to admit sometimes I stop and watch them together too. He loves her so much, and I’m not sure what we’d do without her.”
I turned to look at him just as my phone pinged with an incoming text. Jesse stepped back as I pulled it from my pocket. Glancing at the screen, my mood shifted as I read the message.
Austin: Good morning. Trainor’s at the coffee shop near our condo. Doesn’t have his phone on him. Wanted to know if you could meet him there for coffee now that he’s back. I’m headed out of town.
I breathed out a heavy sigh, despite finally getting what I’d been waiting for. He wanted to see me? The stupid grin on my face didn’t go unnoticed as I quickly typed a response.
Me: Be there in ten.
“Good news?” he asked, as I checked my watch for the time.
“Yeah, I hope,” I said, looking at him. “But I’ve gotta go. Brent wants to meet for coffee.”
Jesse grinned. “He texted you? I didn’t know he had your number.”
I shook my head. “No. It was Daredevil.” I clapped him on the shoulder before heading toward the door. “I’ll see you later.”
With an entirely new sense of anxiety, I took the elevator down to the bottom floor and headed out to find my husband.
Once I was on the street, I broke into a light jog, ready to get to him. Again, I couldn’t remember a single time in my life I’d been this eager to get to someone. But the last thing I needed to do was run in and jump him. So I slowed my roll and walked the last block and a half.
