I nodded. Though it had gone down years ago, everyone knew Liam and Aaron had been best friends before Aaron was taken hostage. At the time, Aaron was married to Natalie, but now she was married to Liam.
“Women.” He rolled his eyes, and I wondered what Charlie had done now.
Though, considering their relationship dynamics, his exasperation was nothing new. They were like two sides of the same coin—stubborn, headstrong, and used to being in control. Still, they somehow made it work. Not just work, they were good together. Good for each other, somehow giving the other exactly what they needed.
He stood, and I followed suit. “We’re having a barbecue out in LA for Jackson’s birthday next week. It’ll mostly be some of the guys from our SEALs class, but you should definitely come.”
“I’ll be there.”
He walked me to the door, opening it before saying, “Enjoy your vacation.”
“Thanks,” I said, knowing that this wasn’t quite the vacation I’d envisioned.
I stepped into the hall, trying to make sense of everything that had just happened. And while I should’ve been focusing on my uncertain future, all I could think about was the fact that I was going to California. That I would finally get to meet Olivia and have a conversation face-to-face. I didn’t even make it to my office before pressing her name on the contacts in my phone. It rang twice before she picked up.
“Hello?” The sound of her throaty voice went straight to my cock. Fuck, it was sexy. She was sexy.
I glanced at my watch and realized just how early it was. Just past five in the morning her time.Shit.“Did I wake you?”
“Connor?” I heard rustling, and I imagined her sitting up in bed.
I groaned at the image, wishing I were there. But I smiled to myself as I remembered that soon, I would be. Maybe not in her bed, though I certainly wouldn’t complain if that happened. But in the same state, the same city, the same room.
“Is everything okay?” she asked, sounding more alert.
“I have good news.”
“Did the guys make it back safely?” she asked, making me realize I hadn’t gotten a chance to update her. And she’d been sweet enough to worry about them and ask.
“They did.”
She let out a breath. “Oh good. I’m so glad.”
“But that’s not what I was calling to tell you.” I rocked on my heels, excitement coursing through me for the first time in months. “I’m coming to California. Get this—to participate in a panel on the Spines for Soldiers.”
“You what?” she practically shrieked. I told myself it was out of excitement, but I wasn’t entirely convinced. “I mean, that’s great that you’re willing to talk about your experience.”
I frowned, figuring it had been her idea.Okay. She’d started the program, but I didn’t know how much of an ongoing role she had apart from being my reading buddy. Well, she was more than my reading buddy, but I didn’t plan to divulge that to the publishing company.
“And I have some unused vacation time. So…I was hoping we could hang out. Meet face-to-face.”
There was a long, silent, pregnant pause. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
My chest tightened, and I stared at the floor, trying to make sense of her response. What had changed since the other night?
“Why not?” I started pacing in front of my desk.
“Because I’m not sure your girlfriend would like that.”
“Girlfriend?” I asked.
“You know…Katie?”
I laughed but quickly sobered when she didn’t join me. “Katie’s not my girlfriend. We used to—hang out,” I said, fumbling for a term that wasn’t completely demeaning. “But we don’t anymore.”
“So…the other night?”
I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. “Was nothing. We haven’t been together in weeks—not since before you and I started talking. But I made that clear the other night.”
