Page 6 of A Very Grumpy Green Beret

“Here you are,” Cameron says, pulling me from my inappropriate thoughts.

“Thanks,” Perry says as she takes the to-go bag.

“See you around,” Cameron calls as she turns her attention to a couple that just walked in.

Perry looks at me uncertainly. “Um… So, thanks again. For the food.”

“You’re welcome. Let me walk you out.”

She smiles. “Okay.”

I place my hand on the small of her back as we leave the crowded diner, noticing that she doesn’t startle or tense up at my touch.

Good. She’s getting used to me already.

Perry stops once we’re outside. “I—shoot!”

“What?” I ask, looking around for any sign of trouble.

She sighs. “I left the other copies of my resume on the stool inside.”

“I’ll grab them.”

I go back inside and grab the small stack of resumes. As I turn to head back outside, I see a man smirking at Perry through the window. My jaw clenches as she tenses, looking uncomfortable. The guy doesn’t pick up on her unease, leaning closer and giving her a greasy smile.

I tear out of the diner.

“Hey, baby. Are you from around here?” the guy asks.

“Um,” Perry whispers, clearly anxious about the situation. Her whole body is tense as she fidgets with the paper bag in her hands.

Oh hell no. No one gets to make my girl feel uncomfortable. Not with me around.

I stop at her side and wrap my arm around her shoulders. Perry blinks up at me as I tuck her against my chest, and I give her a reassuring smile.

Then I turn my attention on the man, pinning him with a murderous glare. “Mine,” I growl quietly.

The guy’s eyes widen, and he backs up, nearly tripping over his feet. “Sorry,” he squeaks.

I continue to glare at him until he turns and bolts.

“You all right, Pumpkin?” I ask softly.

Perry nods, refusing to look at me. “I’m fine.”

I know she’s not, but she will be. I won’t let anything bad happen to Perry. If anyone wants to hurt her, they’ll have to go through me first.

4

Perry

“Thanks for stepping in… again,” I tell Luca, desperate to lighten the mood.

I’m not surprised when he shrugs off my thanks. He’s helped me and bought me breakfast like it’s nothing. Maybe it is nothing to him. Maybe he helps dozens of damsels in distress every day.

Did he think about me last night? I couldn’t stop thinking about him. I even dreamed about him. Those thick arms wrapped around me, his hands grabbing my hips and lifting me easily. I woke up right as his lips slammed down onto mine.

Here I am crushing hard on the guy, and he probably thinks I’m a freak. I mean, I jump at shadows and act like the boogeyman is after me. Still, even if he thinks I’m crazy, he’s been kind to me.