Page 10 of Securing Jane

Storm looked at her as they passed through the waiting room at the clinic. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I’ve had a long time to get over my ex. What’s that line from ShawshankRedemption? Get busy livin’ or get busy dyin’. I chose to live.”

Then Storm shocked her for the second time in minutes by reaching out and taking her hand in his. He did it so smoothly that it felt completely natural and not awkward in the least. “Some birds aren’t meant to be caged,” he said quietly as they headed outside and toward the parking area. “When they fly away, the part of you that knows it was a sin to lock them up rejoices, but still, the place you live in is that much more gray after they’re gone.”

Jane stopped in her tracks, and since he was holding her hand, Storm stopped too. “That was from Shawshank too,” she told him unnecessarily.

“It was. Best fucking movie ever. I’ve watched it at least a hundred times, and every time I’m flicking through the channels and see that it’s on, I have to stop. That part where Red is narrating how Andy Dufresne crawled through five hundred yards of shit and came out clean on the other side gets me every time,” Storm said.

Jane nodded. “Most people don’t think it’s a very uplifting movie, but I can’t help but think about how much Andy changed everyone’s lives in that prison.” Then she blushed. “I mean…I know it’s fiction, but—”

“I know what you mean,” Storm assured her. Then he squeezed her hand. “Come on, let’s get you home. You’ve got to be tired.”

And without a word, Jane let him lead her to his car, a navy-blue four-door VW Golf. When they were inside headed toward the exit of the base, she couldn’t help but tease him. “A Golf?” she asked.

Storm chuckled. “I know, but she’s got a two hundred ninety-two-horsepower engine in her that matches the power of a Ford Mustang. I like staying under the radar but having the ability to get the job done when it counts.”

Jane stared at him for a second, then bit her lip trying not to laugh. But it was no use. She burst out laughing at the serious look on his face.

He glanced over at her in surprise, then grinned. When she had herself under control, he said wryly, “Didn’t mean that the way it sounded.”

“I guessed,” Jane told him.

“You should do that more often,” Storm said.

“What?”

“Laugh.”

Self-conscious now, Jane looked away, turning to stare out the window.

“Shit, sorry. It was a compliment. I loved that even after the shittiest day ever, you could still find something to laugh about. Your smile lights up your face and makes you even more beautiful than you already are.”

Jane turned again to look back at Storm. Her head was spinning at how he’d gone from being one of the men she delivered mail to each day to someone who had asked her out and was now going out of his way to flirt with her. It was as confusing as it was flattering and exciting. But Jane wasn’t about to throw herself headlong into a relationship with anyone…she was too jaded for that.

“You’re confusing me,” she admitted softly.

“How so?” he asked without hesitation.

“Twelve hours ago you didn’t know I existed. And now…” Her voice trailed off.

Storm winced. “I’m coming on too strong. I know, I’m sorry. Here’s the thing…I’ve always been the kind of man who keeps my head down and gets the job done. I was that way as a SEAL, and I’m that way as a commander. I tend to focus on one thing at a time, and that’s not always a good thing. I’ve known of you for a while, but never really took the time to get to know you.

“This morning, I realized that I’d been an idiot. That you’ve been right in front of my face the whole time, but I was too busy looking down, getting the job done. I couldn’t see the forest for the trees. I’d already decided to change that. To get to know you even better, and then that damn CS bomb happened. It was a massive wake-up call. And I’m a very determined man, Jane.”

“I’m not a mission,” she gently chided. “You can’t just decide you want me and expect to get me.”

Amazingly, his cheeks flushed. “I know, and I’m saying this all wrong. I’m still willing to take things slow, but I’m letting you know up front what my intentions are.”

“And what are your intentions?” Jane asked. “I’m not interested in anything casual,” she told him. “But I’m not necessarily looking for another husband either. Tried that, it didn’t work out. I’m too old to go out to bars to pick up men, and honestly…I don’t need a man.”

“But do you want one?” Storm asked quietly.

Jane blinked in surprise.

“I’m asking because the older I get, the more I realize how lonely I’ve become. I love my job and what I do, but when I’m lying in my bed at night, alone, I wonder what it’d be like to have someone to share my life with. I’m well aware that time is passing, and with each tick of the clock, my life is getting shorter. Eventually I’ll have to retire, and spending the rest of my days with only myself for company isn’t something I’m looking forward to.”

This was a very deep conversation, but Jane couldn’t help but be drawn to Storm even more for being honest. “When I got divorced, I thought I’d find someone else and remarry. But as time went by, and as I struggled with raising my daughter, eventually I became resigned to the fact that I’d be alone the rest of my life. But to answer your earlier question…I’m not opposed to finding a man I can love again. Someone who respects me and doesn’t expect me to be someone I’m not. I’d like someone who shares some of my interests, so we have something to talk about when we’re old and gray. Well…older and grayer.”