Page 56

“Tell him you have a boyfriend,” I said.

“Might work better if I tell him I have a girlfriend,” she whispered.

My mind flickered to Sloan kissing another woman. “That will definitely not work better.”

She laughed.

My suggestion made me realize that despite our two dates, Sloan didn’t have a boyfriend. I had no claim on her besides just being some guy she was talking to. She could give this man her number and I couldn’t say anything about it.

I didn’t like that. At all.

“Whoa, there’s more of them,” she said. “Oh my God, I wonder if they’re going to actually do it. They seem to be gathering. There’s like five of them now and they’re huddled. There must be a navy recruiting station around here.”

“Does this happen often?” I asked.

“What? Naval officers?”

“You getting hit on.”

“Actually, yeah, lately. It’s weird.”

I moved the phone away from my mouth. I didn’t like that either. And there was nothing weird about it. She was beautiful. Of course other men noticed it.

I changed the subject. “So, did Tucker destroy any other lingerie? I feel like he probably did and we’ll need to get some replacements.”

“Oh, ha ha.” Then she groaned.

“The naval crew still there?”

“Yup.”

“Can you go outside? Get away from them?”

“I can, but I’ll have to hang up with you. It’s really loud out there.”

“No, don’t hang up with me,” I said.

“They’re turning around. They just looked at me,” she whispered. “One of them just waved.”

I dragged my hand down my face. “Are you trying to make me jealous?”

“No,” she laughed. “Why? Are you getting jealous?”

“Of course.” I said it like a joke, but it wasn’t.

“You don’t have anything to worry about,” she said.

“Why? Navy guy isn’t your type?”

“No, he’s kind of cute, actually. It’s just that I’m really into this other guy right now.”

“Oh?” My heart picked up.

“Yeah. He’s pretty amazing. Thoughtful. Took care of me when I was sick yesterday. Sexy northern accent. Doesn’t scare easily, something I need in a man.”

“Sick? Is that what we’re calling it?” I was beaming. I knew she could tell.

“Yup. Sick. We don’t need to elaborate. Oh no…”

“What?”

“They’re coming over here. Oh my God…”

…Singing.