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“I appreciate you trying. It doesn’t have to be this week.”
She smiled and laughed at the same time, and he chuckled at her spunk. The way Bryson and his team accepted Erin affirmed he had made a wise, though still risky, choice. He had a lot on the line and more than his career. “And if you aren’t ready to come to a Holmstrom family dinner, we can wait on that.”
She sighed. The mood shifted as she rested a hand on his thigh. “About this morning, your invite caught me by surprise. I freaked out a little because I thought it might be awkward with your kids knowing about our ‘arrangement.’”
“This is more than ‘an arrangement.’ I like spending time with you.” Even if the general had changed his mind and said today all was good and Graham would keep his command, he’d keep seeing her.
“I like being with you too. A lot.”
“Good. If it makes you feel better, Megan suggested I invite you.”
“So, if I don’t come, it’ll look like I’m scared or dumped you. Which I have no intention of doing.”
He was relieved to hear that. “With as much time as we’re spending together, you’ll have to face them sooner or later.”
“I know.”
“Don’t worry. They’ll see you’re good for me.”
“Ditto. I talked to Piper earlier—”
“Everything okay with her?”
“Yes. She called this afternoon, and I told her I couldn’t talk because I was about to do the obstacle course with a Green Beret team. She wanted all the details of how that came about. On the way home, I told her the short versionandthat we’re dating.”
Erin telling her daughter about them was unexpected and good news. “How’d she react to that?”
“She asked if I was dating you as a way to get to observe a team.”
“Did you tell her you were?”
“I explained I went out with you before I knew who you were because I liked you and how you make me feel. She took it pretty well, considering I told her before she left for Spain that I didn’t plan to date. Madison will be the harder one to tell. I’m not doing that tonight, though. Since you’re here, do you want to stay?”
“I’m not in uniform and didn’t bring a Go Bag. I don’t want to wake you too early, but we could go to my place.”
“Are you willing to risk your neighbors seeing me sneak in wearing my PJs?”
“It’s not like you’re in a slinky negligee.” Though he wouldn’t mind seeing her in one. “Wait, by neighbors, do you mean Noelle? Did she say something this morning?” She had been near Erin’s car with the dog when they left.
Erin made a sound and waggled her head.
Damn, Noelle. “I’m sorry.”
“You said she’s friends with Sally McKittrick?”
“More like a sycophant than friends. Noelle tries to work her way into circles with wives of higher-ranking officers.”
“Well, if Noelle is the gossipy type—”
“She is.” At least from everything he knew of her.
“Then Sally will know that we’re sleeping together, which is good in the scheme of things.”
“Today has been rough for you, and it seems to be my fault. If you ride with me, she probably won’t see you, and I’ll make it up to you.”
Erin eyed him. “Who cares what she thinks or sees? Give me a minute to pack clothes for tomorrow and leave food for the cats. And if it’s not too hot out, we’ll open the bedroom window.”
“What?” he asked as she flashed an impish smile and headed to the kitchen.
