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“It looked like you were having a good time with her at the game,” she conceded.
“Were you watching us?” He looked at her over his glass of tea.
“Maybe.”
“In the stadium, or were you parked at the Special Ops Museum?”
“We passed your car going in. That’s how I knew to look for you at the game,” she told him without coming right out and answering.
“General McKittrick and his wife were also there and met Erin.”
“I guess that’s a good thing.”
“It is. The general gave his approval for Erin to shadow Bryson’s team this week as research for a writing project.”
Megan’s surprised look quickly morphed into one of understanding. “And Mateo’s on that team, right?”
“Yes. He’s under Bryson’s command now.”
“It’ll be a good thing if he sees you two together. Maybe that will take care of any crazy talk and keep him from planting ideas in anyone else’s head.” Megan paused, her mouth shifting. “Why don’t you invite Erin to the family dinner next Sunday?”
“I will,” he said despite the hesitation in her tone. “You’ll like her. She’s a lot like your mom.”
Based on the look Megan shot him, that wasn’t the best thing to say. “Give her a chance.”
“I will.” Megan relented. “But warn her I’ve learned things being your daughter and married to a Green Beret myself. And she better not hurt you.”
“I can take care of myself.” It was the general he needed to worry about.
ChapterSixteen
When Erin’sphone played the “American Soldier” ringtone she had given to Graham’s number, it was like getting a shot of adrenaline or ecstasy or whatever drug made a person instantly feel great. “Hi. How was your golf game?”
“Uh, it wasn’t my best round. I hate to do this, but I have to cancel dinner tonight. Something came up at work, and I’m going in now.”
“I understand. Do what you need to do.” She didn’t tell him she’d shaved her legs again—just in case.
“I don’t know how long this will go on. It could easily be an all-nighter. Maybe longer. It may impact Monday too. I’ll call you when I can,” he promised before ending the call.
“I guess you two are going to have to put up with me tonight,” she said to Smokey and Tink, who both lounged on the other end of the sofa. Tink raised her head for a second as if giving a bored acknowledgment. “Trust me, it’s not what I wanted to be doing tonight either.”
Several friends had warned her not to share Piper’s mental health struggles with anyone she dated. With Graham, did it matter since this was a short-term arrangement, and she wasn’t looking for a long-term commitment? He had been so supportive last night, but what if he had second thoughts? She refused to give in to the sinking feeling in her gut.
She’d worked most of the afternoon on a list of questions and things she hoped to observe with the Green Beret team this coming week. If things ended, she would definitely be disappointed. Maybe as much over not seeing Graham as not spending time with a Special Ops team. What did that mean?
* * *
Sunday afternoon,Erin talked to Madison and heard about her trip to Dallas. She’d been tempted to tell her about observing the Special Ops team this week, but since she hadn’t heard from Graham, and Madison didn’t ask what was new with her, Erin decided to wait until something definite had happened.
Then Piper called again. Hearing things had gone “pretty good” the past two days was better than getting a “not so great.” After debating it, Erin decided not to call Phil to tell him what had gone down with Piper, knowing he’d ask her a dozen questions she didn’t have the answers to, and he’d reiterate how he’d known Piper going abroad wasn’t a good idea. If Piper wanted him to know, she was an adult and could tell him herself.
Erin ate dinner alone again Sunday night. Afterward, Tink settled on her outstretched legs, and Smokey perched on the back of the couch as she read—or tried to. It was hard to focus.
Patience wasn’t her strong suit, but she wouldn’t get anxious that Graham hadn’t so much as texted her after canceling dinner yesterday afternoon. If it was work, it took precedence over her. The weight of responsibility he had to feel for the men under his command made her view him in a new light. It also made her see why having a partner made him a more trusted leader.
When her phone played “American Soldier,” she grabbed for it. Tink meowed her displeasure.Take a breath.Don’t ask for details he can’t give. “Hey there.”
“Hope I’m not waking you.”
