“I think, since I’m on Oahu, I’ll try the Hawaiian.”
“Even though the only fruit I recognize is papaya, I’ll go with the tropical.”
That was another thing she liked about this guy.While he didn’t seem reckless, he struck her as more adventurous than she was.A balance to her careful way of life.Shaking her head, she almost rolled her eyes.And her tendency to overthink.Which she was doing now.A couple of strangers on holiday getting along.She really needed to stop thinking like a naive teenager and just enjoy the day and the flirtation.
Emily left her place in line and came up beside them.“No sense in all of us waiting in line.Tell me what you want, and you guys save us a seat, if one of the benches opens up.”
“Good idea.”Amy relayed their selections.
Ray was already pulling his wallet from his pocket.
Emily stuck out her hand to still his.“No need.See you in a little bit.”She turned toward the long string of customers, then looked back and chuckled.“Maybe.”
“Let’s go stake our claim.”Once again Ray reached down and laced his fingers with hers.
Seconds before they came to the last bench the couple seated there jumped to their feet and walked away.The day was most definitely turning out to be one of her most fortunate.
“So how long has it been since you’ve seen your brother?”Ray asked.
“Almost twenty years.”She paused at the surprise on his face.“It’s a long story, but we were separated when my father died.Doug stayed in the foster care system.I was younger and got adopted.”
“That must have sucked for Doug.”
“I don’t know.He doesn’t talk about it.But I do know that he was happy in the navy.That’s how he knows Emily.”
“She was in the navy?”
Amy almost laughed at the expression on his face.“No.Her older brother was my brother’s teammate.They were both EOD.”
Ray sucked in a breath.“Explosives Ordnance Disposal.Wow.Remind me not to piss him off.”
This time Amy laughed out loud.“They both had to leave due to injuries.Billy, Emily’s brother, lost his leg.Doug lost his vision in one eye.I think Emily’s the only reason he’s okay with giving up the navy.”
“I know how he feels.”
“Oh?”
Ray studied the ground a few long seconds before squeezing her hand and looking back up.“I was a running back at OSU on scholarship.According to everyone around me, I was destined for the NFL.Was actually a favorite to go in the early rounds draft pick.”
“What happened?”
“Stupid thing really.One of the last games of the season—one I didn’t even need to play in—I got tackled from the side.I went left, and my knee went right.One hit too many.My knee wouldn’t have survived pro ball.”
“I’m sorry.”
“So was I.Ever since high school my plan was to play in the NFL.That was supposed to be my ticket out of Oklahoma.Follow my dreams, like Tish.”
“But…”
“Turns out I don’t have any other dreams.”He hesitated again, this time focusing on something off in the distance.“You might call my visit to Tish a test run.”
“Test run?”She didn’t understand.
“Back home everyone remembers me as the star running back for the Oklahoma State Cowboys.The future-that-never-was is always right in front of me.I loved the rush that came with the perfect play, the last-minute win, the championship games.”He shrugged and shook his head, almost as though he carried on a battle in his own mind.“But that’s over.It’s time to find a new love.”
Amy had no idea what to say.A longing in his eyes drew her in.Whether it was for her or his lost dreams, she didn’t know, but right now it didn’t seem to matter.Eyes locked, she leaned in farther.His gaze dropped to her mouth, and she closed her eyes.
“Amy.”Doug stood over them, holding two colorful ices, fire in his glare.
Oops.
