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Miller nodded and chuckled. “Promise me her villain’s name won’t be Becky or Rebecca, and I won’t have her classified as a security risk. You’re the man I want for this position if you’re willing to leave your current command and commit to giving me at least three years.”
“That wouldn’t be a problem.” It was beyond tempting—on all fronts.
“I know this is out of the blue, and you have teams about to deploy, but in this role, you’ll continue to lead and train not only the men assigned to 3rdGroup but across all of Special Forces.”
Miller drove home a good point. Graham hadn’t wanted 3rdGroup to undergo another change of command, but he had realized he wasn’t the only man who could restore trust in the unit.
“Becky liked Erin and how she treated the men under your command. My father-in-law was career Army. He did twenty-four years enlisted, so Becky’s seen things from both sides. Think it over and talk with Erin. I don’t need an answer immediately. Adams will be here a few more weeks.”
“I would like to talk it over with her, not that there’s any reason she wouldn’t be on board.” Other than living next door to Noelle Ayers. Noelle had apologized to Erin and him, but it wasn’t like he could envision Erin and Noelle going out to lunch together. Pete had accepted a permanent change of station to Fort Drum in New York; however, that wouldn’t take place until spring. “Would accepting this position involve moving into Adams’s assigned housing?”
“Typically. If you want to stay in your current billet, I’m sure we could arrange that.”
“A fresh start”—in their own place and with new next-door neighbors—“would be good.”
ChapterForty-Nine
“Chris Remington was right.Between yesterday’s cooking class and the tour you set up today, you are making this the most amazing vacation, Tommaso,” Erin complimented the chef and owner of the villa where their families were staying for the last half of their Italian Christmas vacation. “This was the best meal I’veevereaten,”
“Happy to be of service, Signora,” Tommaso beamed at the praise and glanced at Graham.
“Tommaso is a master at arranging anything his guests need and making dreams come true,” his assistant promised as she helped him clear the dinner plates.
“I’m liking the perks of my mom knowing A-list celebrities,” Madison said.
“I’m going to be in a food coma.” Megan patted her slightly rounded belly. “I may not leave here—ever.”
“He has guests coming in after us. And you’d miss me,” Reece said.
“Jace is putting in for Vincenza for his next post,” Alex announced, “and we can all come here again.”
“I said I’d think about it,” Jace said. “I’ll get the cards.” He got up from the table.
“They haven’t even cleared the table yet. Is he always like this?” Piper asked.
“Unable to sit still or obsessed with games?” Alex laughed.
“Both,” Piper laughed too.
“Pretty much,” Megan answered. “Mom used to say it would have been easier if she’d had identical twins because the two Jaces could have kept each other busy. You don’t know how often I had to play games or Army man so she could fix dinner.”
The two families blended better than Erin imagined they would. It didn’t hurt that this trip had gone off without a hitch, thanks to Graham’s planning and Chris Remington connecting them with Tommaso. They may not be celebrities, but Tommaso still treated them like royalty, and a few curious paparazzi had followed the driver taking them around Positano yesterday.
Graham laid a hand over Erin’s. “Let’s go check out the night view while they set up the game. And have a couple of minutes alone,” he added.
Outside, she drank in the sight of moonlight reflecting off the water and illuminating the boats anchored in the bay. Lights from the homes and businesses cast a golden hue over the hillside. “It’s such a beautiful view.”
“I agree,” he said, looking at her instead of the scenery. He always managed to say the right thing to make her feel loved and cherished.
As they stood at the railing on the veranda, Graham wrapped his arms around her from behind. The kiss he pressed to the side of her head and the warmth of his body against her warded off the December chill.
“I need to bring you here in the late spring or early summer when the bougainvillea and wisteria are in bloom.”
“That sounds beautiful.”
“It is. Though, the next time, I’d like to bring you here as my wife. I know you said you weren’t looking for anything serious, but we crossed that line long ago.”
She laughed. “We certainly did. I didn’t know you when I said that. Or what life could be like with you.” She turned to face him. “Are you asking me to marry you?” Even a few months ago, she couldn’t have imagined being ready for such a major life change.
