Page 81 of Her Defiant Warrior

“Good. It saved me the trouble.”

16

It had only been two and a half weeks, but it had seemed like two and a half months since Bonnie had seen Jase. She’d gone over to Farah and Malik’s house twice. Both times she said it was so the twins could play with Punk. Farah didn’t believe her, but Malik did, so there was that, at least.

“Honey, he’s going to be fine. They do this all the time, you know that, right? You went out with Jase for five weeks. You knew he was an active Navy SEAL. You knew he would be deployed on missions.”

Bonnie nodded. “In theory, I knew that. In theory, I know that one day my little boy will lose his virginity and my baby girl will more than likely become a criminal mastermind. This is all well and good in theory. I did not expect this to slap me in the face.”

Bonnie took a deep, shuddery breath.

I can do this.

Farah took pity on her.

“He’s good at his job, honey. He’s been doing this for years and years and years. He hasn’t been coming home safe and sound because he’s lucky. He’s been coming home safe and sound because he’s really good at what he does and he’s got a fucking fantastic team of men surrounding him. You should really talk to some of the other women. I’m surprised you showed up here, and not at Lark or Jada’s place.”

“I haven’t met them,” Bonnie admitted.

“I’m confused. Why haven’t you met them? Malik and I were invited over to one of Gideon’s barbecues just before they were deployed. We couldn’t make it, but Jase had to have taken you and the kids. If they love Punk, they would adore Lucy.”

Bonnie bit the tip of her thumb. “I haven’t wanted them to get the wrong idea and think that Jase was my boyfriend or man friend or something like that. I didn’t want them to get attached and then have us break up.”

Farah stood up from her kitchen table.

“Are you out of your mind? You’re gone for my brother-in-law. What do you mean, break-up?”

“He’s a Navy SEAL.”

“And?”

“Well, they’re not known for their relationship-expectancy.”

“Girl, you have some messed up thoughts going on in your head. You know that? And here I just thought you were messed up about cherry pie.”

“Mom, can we go with Maryanne to the swimming pool?” Lachlan asked as he rounded the corner into the kitchen.

“No, I didn’t pack your swimming suits.”

Amber followed her brother into the kitchen and picked a baby carrot off of the tray in front of Bonnie and swiped it into the hummus and popped it into her mouth.

“I already thought of that, Mom. Maryanne said she’d stop on by our house and we could change into our suits there.”

“Honey, Maryanne is not here to be your babysitter.”

“Mrs. Larkin, this gives me perfect cover. I wanted to see Charlie again, but I don’t want him to think I’m going to the pool just to see him. If I go with Amber and Lachlan, then it doesn’t look like I showed up to see him.”

“Honey, if you go with Amber and Lachlan, all your attention has to be on them, not on Charlie.” Farah pointed out.

“Exactly! I’ll be ignoring him, so he’ll totally be into me at school on Monday.”

“Isn’t she the coolest Mom? I’m learning so much.” Amber was positively glowing.

“Let me give you some money for the pool. I need some more grown-up time with your Auntie Farah. Apparently, your mom needs more wisdom.”

“Yay!”

Bonnie dug money out of her purse and gave it to her kids and waved them off.