Page 16 of A Very Grumpy Green Beret

“I love you,” I tell her honestly, making sure her eyes are locked with mine so she can see the truth.

“We just met! And you have pictures of me!”

“We met before,” I say in a rush. “Kind of.”

“Kind of?” she repeats, becoming hysterical.

“I saw you when I was home from my last deployment. I went out with some friends, and I saw you outside the bar. I don’t know what it was about you, but something clicked inside me. I knew right then and there that you were meant to be mine.”

“Oh my god,” she whispers, staring at me wide-eyed. “You’re crazy. You’re a stalker.”

“You said you could feel it too,” I remind her desperately. “I saw you, and that was it. Game over. I knew I was getting out of the military after that, and I was so close. I had it all planned. I was going to move to Los Angeles and meet you, but I was injured, and everything was delayed. By the time I was back in the States, you were here, so I changed my plans and bought this place. I moved here for you. To be close to you. I was going to do this right.”

“Do what right? Stalk me?” she hisses, hands on her hips. “You’re nailing that part!”

“I was going to ask you out. I hoped you would fall in love with me. I knew something was wrong, so I kept an eye on you. I was trying to make sure you were safe. The last thing I ever want to do is hurt or scare you.”

“Too late,” she spits, her eyes blazing.

My shoulders sag. She’s not listening to me. She’s clearly overwhelmed, and even though I want her to see things from my perspective, I know it’s no use. She can’t understand—at least not right now. Maybe not ever.

Fuck. Did I ruin my one shot with her?

Instinctively, I step toward her, wanting to pull her into my arms and hold her one last time. She flinches and swats my hands away. My heart breaks into a million shards in my chest.

“I just wanted to protect you. I wanted to make you happy,” I tell her softly.

“You can’t. All I wanted was a normal life. One where no one is after me. I don’t want a stalker for a boyfriend.”

“What about for a husband?” I ask before I can think it through.

She stares at me, her mouth open. “Are you insane?”

“No, I⁠—”

“Oh my god. I need to get out of here,” she mumbles, twisting her fingers together anxiously.

“You can’t go. It’s not safe out there,” I remind her.

“Well, I don’t feel safe here with you either!”

I step back, feeling like she’s punched me in the gut. “I would never hurt you, Perry. You can stay here. It’s safe, and no one will look for you here. There’s food in the fridge. You can rest. Regroup.”

I head into the living room and grab my car keys before returning to my office. “Here. I’ll leave you my car. It’s yours. If you want to leave town, take it. It has a full tank of gas. There’s cash in the center console. It’s all yours.”

She watches me silently as I move to the far side of my desk, giving her space.

Scribbling my phone number down on a piece of paper, I slide it across to her. “That’s my number. If you need anything, call me.”

She doesn’t make a move to take it. I clench my hands into fists, feeling helpless. I have no idea how to navigate any of this. Is leaving the right choice? It feels like the only option. I can’t have her going out there with those men in town. I need to keep my pumpkin safe. That’s my priority. Hopefully, I can fix this and convince her to give me a second chance later.

“I promise you, Perry, I would never hurt you. I only wanted to be close to you. I only ever wanted to keep you safe.”

She doesn’t say anything, just turns away. I sigh, feeling defeated as I head out into the night.

8

Perry