Page 342 of Commander’s Mate

“Engaged, basically. We never made it official.”

Pyrr waited.

“Jake.”

“The soldier.”

I looked at him sharply.

“Harper told you?”

“No. You said his name during training.”

I had.

Damn.

“He died overseas.”

Pyrr’s face changed.

Not jealousy.

Respect.

“I am sorry.”

“Yeah.”

I folded my arms.

“After that I decided soldiers were a terrible life choice.”

“That seems reasonable.”

I stared.

“You’re supposed to argue.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re a soldier.”

“Yes.”

“And interested.”

His ears darkened.

There.

Got him.

“I am.”

“That should make you defend the product.”

“I am not a product.”