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“I’m a no drama guy. Hard pass,” Linc rounded out the nos.
“Too bad. But it was nice to see a real happy ending. Thank you both for your service and stay safe.”
They lingered rather than walk away.
“Did you want a picture with us for your watch-party group?” John asked.
“We’d love that.” The ladies beamed and pulled out their phones.
“I’ll take the picture,” Elizabeth offered.
The woman with glasses craned her neck, looking up at John when he stood between them. Ben and Linc flanked them on either side. “Wow. You are big.”
Elizabeth mouthed Big John and got a mock scowl from him before she snapped several pictures.
“Can we get one with you ladies in it too?” The redhead asked when Elizabeth handed back her phone.
“Okay.” She and Ben’s wife traded places with the women, who both took pictures.
“Looks like we better retreat before we are overrun.” Linc cut his gaze to nearby tables of women.
“Normally I’m not one to retreat, but I’m with you on this.” John picked up their check.
Taking John’s picture with two middle-aged women was one thing, but what did it say that Elizabeth would rather not take pictures of him posing with a dozen other adoring women? Pretty young ones who’d smile when he put his strong arm around their shoulders for a picture.
In the elevator, Linc pushed the number fourteen on the panel. John jabbed the button for their floor.
“It was great seeing y’all again. When do you deploy?” John asked Linc.
“Next month. Let’s get together.” They exchanged a fist bump as the elevator doors opened.
“Well, hi again.” Shelby and Hannah stood there with their oversized suitcases. “It’s like divine forces keep bringing us all together,” Shelby proclaimed in her smooth, southern accent, aiming her brilliant smile at John.
Next to Elizabeth, John let out a faint grumble at the coincidence.
When Linc stepped out, Hannah threw herself at him for a goodbye hug, then moved on to Ben and his wife like they were old friends.
Shelby also gave them hugs after blocking the doors from closing with her suitcase. “Aren’t you getting off?” She batted her lashes at John.
“We’re going up to say goodbye to Nate’s family.”
Elizabeth caught how John hesitated, then toed Shelby’s suitcase off so the door could close. “What was that about?”
“Shelby ambushed me when I checked in Friday night. Then she tagged along when I went up to my room, which was on her floor. When I went back down to add your room—unsuccessfully—I changed rooms so she wouldn’t know where to find me.” He let Elizabeth off the elevator first.
“Are you regretting pressuring me to come?”
“Not at all. You were the perfect date for this. For me. I had a great time with you. Besides, Shelby’s too high maintenance.”
“How would you know that?”
He tapped his card key to the lock and held the door open for her. “We worked together building a playset. Only about every thirty minutes, Shelby disappeared to ‘go tinkle.’ She’d come back with her hair and make-up all touched up for the cameras. I prefer a woman not so concerned about appearances. A natural beauty, like you.”
“Thank you for the compliment.” She reached for her dress in the closet.
“I think the reason everyone bought us being a couple is because they see how good we are together. For real.” Instead of packing, he stood there with his gaze locked on her. “I don’t want to go back to Fayetteville and the way things were—just being friends. Because what I feel for you is—” He took a step toward her.
Though her heart did a little jig, her brain fired off warning shots. This was exactly why she shouldn’t have come. “John, stop. You—”
