“Sounds like you were pretty busy,” Erik said.
“So were you,” she told him. “What was it like to be in the military?”
“I stayed on beyond my four years,” he said, lifting his hands as if that were an answer.
Jenny nodded, hoping there would be more, but not wanting to push.
“It wasn’t easy by any stretch,” he said after a moment. “But it was satisfying work and I felt… I don’t know, necessary.”
“That’s important to you,” she said, realizing it was true as soon as the words were out of her mouth.
“Of course,” he said. “Life should be about more than showing up and enjoying myself. I want to make a difference.”
“Well, you found a great way to do that,” she told him.
“I don’t know,” he said, shaking his head. “Sometimes I think I need the guys more than they need me.”
“That’s good, though,” she offered with a smile. “Then they can feel necessary too.”
“Have you been in touch with anyone else from school?” he asked her.
That launched them into a fond discussion of their friends and their past that had Jenny almost in tears from laughing so much.
When she finally looked out the window and noticed that it was dark outside, she glanced over at the clock on the mantel and was stunned.
“I didn’t realize how late it was getting,” she said. “I’d better get back to Gael.”
“Of course,” Erik said, getting up. “I’m sorry I kept you so late.”
“No, this was really, really fun,” Jenny said as she stood to join him. “I think I needed it.”
“Me too,” Erik said.
For a moment, all the fire was back in his eyes. He was standing so close to her, and his eyes slid down to her mouth.
Her heart thrummed as she waited, wondering if he would kiss her here, with no one to watch.
But he only cleared his throat and turned away.
“Thanks for today,” Jenny said, trying to pull herself together. “Gael and I had a lot of fun.”
“Does that mean you’ll come house hunting with me tomorrow?” Erik asked.
“You know, I think Gael would really like that,” she said, smiling.
“And you?” he asked.
“Yes,” she told him. “I’d like that too.”
“I’ll text you then,” he said, gesturing for her to lead the way out of the library.
She waited in the center hall, wondering how they were supposed to say goodbye, but he just waved to her and headed out into the cold, snowy night.
Hurrying up the stairs, she reminded herself that she had just spent time with an old friend, nothingmore. There was nothing wrong with sharing a meal and reminiscing a little. And she had somehow even managed to keep her old crush on the man from humiliating her completely.
And when a little voice in the back of her head whispered that the crush might not be so old after all, she ignored it. They were helping out the veterans, allowing them to be part of a happily-ever-after even if it wasn’t their own.
Even if it isn’t real…
