In fact, I wasn’t sure what the hell had come over me in the elevator. It was as if I’d been staking my claim, telling her she belonged to me when I had no right to. Because in just a few days, I’d be back in Virginia, and she’d still be here.
“I was nominated for the program after injuring my knee. As Olivia will attest, I wasn’t too thrilled about it at first. That’s an understatement. I acted like an asshole.” The audience laughed, as did Olivia.
“I hadn’t picked up a novel in years. It always seemed like a waste of time. But then I started reading the first book, and it gripped me. I had to talk to someone about it.” I laughed, thinking back on our early emails and how much had changed since then.
“I’m so incredibly thankful for this program.” I met her eyes, feeling as if an invisible string tethered us together. Even in a roomful of people, it was just her and me. “And I know it has made a positive impact on my life.Oliviahas made an impact on me.”
She dabbed at the corner of her eyes, and there was a pang in my chest.Fuck. If this was difficult, it was going to be damn near impossible to say goodbye.
I made it back to my chair in a daze. There were several other speeches, but I didn’t hear most of what was said. Even as I participated in the panel discussions, my mind was elsewhere—with Olivia. Like my heart.
I was exiting the bathroom at the end of the day when a woman called my name. I glanced over to find a fiery redhead eyeing me up and down, arms crossed as she leaned against the wall. I recognized her from the picture on Olivia’s mantel.
“Mm. So you’re the sexy SEAL,” she said, seeming to accept my acknowledgment as confirmation.
I walked over to her. “Alyssa, right?”
She pushed off the wall, and we shook hands. She was petite, but I knew better than to underestimate her. From everything Olivia had told me, Alyssa was a firecracker. I also knew her opinion was important to Olivia, which meant it was important to me.
“That’s right.” She circled me. “Attentive. Good-looking. Smart.” She narrowed her eyes at me. “Surely you have some flaw.”
I lifted a shoulder. “No one’s perfect, right?”
“Olivia’s about as close to perfect as they come.” She glanced over to where Olivia was talking with some of the other soldiers.
She was smiling, and I was so damn proud of her. To think that she’d started this program and had such a positive impact on so many people’s lives—military and civilians. It was incredible.Shewas incredible.
“I can see you think so too,” she said.
I nodded, a smile playing at my lips. “She is pretty amazing.”
She was kind, passionate, giving, hot, and to top it all off—an amazing cook. She was the full package. If I’d been looking for a relationship, she was exactly what I’d want in a partner. I could easily imagine coming home to her after a long day or upon returning from a mission. She always seemed to know when to push and when to just listen. And she could brighten the whole room with her smile.
“She’s not as strong as she seems,” Alyssa said, interrupting my thoughts.
I nodded, understanding her unspoken warning. She didn’t want to see her friend get hurt. Neither did I.
“But she’s stronger than she thinks,” I said with conviction.
She clapped me on the shoulder. “You seem like a good man, Connor James. I hope you’ll stick around. You’re good for her.”
My chest puffed with pride but quickly deflated. “I would if I could.”
“Duty calls, eh?”
“Something like that.” I kept my focus trained on Olivia, even as I scanned the room for any threats. I felt this intense need to keep her safe. Even if that meant protecting her from me.
Olivia said her goodbyes to the other soldiers and turned our direction. One of the men checked her out from behind, and I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to claim her. To declare to the room and the world that she was mine. Because she wasn’t—not really.
“I see you two met,” Olivia said, redirecting my attention.
Alyssa grinned. “We did.” She turned to me. “It was nice meeting you, Connor. I’m going to go mingle and try to find my own sexy soldier.”
I laughed. That girl was something else. But it was good to know that someone was looking out for Olivia. That Olivia would have someone after I had to go back to Virginia.
I placed my hand on Olivia’s lower back and leaned in. “You were amazing.” I grazed the shell of her ear with my lips, gratified when she shivered.
“Thank you. And thank you for coming. I had no idea you felt so strongly about the program.”
