SEAL's Embrace - Makenna Jameison Page 0,30
and not any worse. When did you get back?”
“A few days ago,” she admitted. “I mostly just slept through the first couple of days home though.”
“I was worried about you,” Grayson admitted in a low voice. “The guys and I got back, but I didn’t like not knowing if you were okay. I didn’t feel like I could call and check with the hospital, but damn. It was hell waiting to hear from you.”
“I still can’t believe you came to see me in Germany,” she said softly.
Grayson chuckled. “Yeah, I pulled some strings with our commander. But we were flying back through there, so it wasn’t as completely crazy at it seemed.”
“Just kind of crazy,” she joked.
“I took some ribbing from the guys, but they understood. Hell, we all saw the damage after the explosion.”
She nodded, realizing he couldn’t see her. “Yeah.”
“I’m sorry—I didn’t mean to bring up bad memories.”
“You didn’t,” she assured him. “I mean, that would be hard to forget. I’m supposed to go into the Pentagon in a few days to meet with some people about it all. I need to give my statement and whatnot, plus I never really closed out my assignment there.”
“You’re okay for that? For going in I mean?”
“Yeah, I guess. A friend is going to pick me up—a woman I used to work with. I won’t have to drive there, which is good, since I don’t have a car. I sold it before I went to Bagram.”
“And you’re still planning to move out to California after all this?”
“Yeah,” she said lightly. “It’s kind of crazy that you live out there, too, but this transfer has been in the works for a while. I wanted a change of pace after I got back from my year-long assignment in Afghanistan. I wish I wasn’t injured, but I’m looking forward to it more than ever now,” she admitted.
“Hell, sweetheart. While things didn’t go as planned when my team and I were there, I’ll never regret that I got to meet you because of it.”
“Me either. I’m moving in three weeks,” she said.
“So you are.” Hailey could practically hear his smile on the other end of the line. “I know you’ll need to get settled after you get here, but hell. I can’t wait to see you again and take you out on an actual date.”
“Aren’t you worried?”
“Worried about what, sweetheart?”
“This. Us. It was kind of a crazy situation. I mean—I’m excited to see you,” she admitted. “It’s just, everything happened so quickly. Never mind, it’s silly for me to be worried,” she hastily added.
“It’s not silly,” he said. “We did have an instant connection, and that doesn’t usually happen. Hell, I don’t know if that’s ever happened to me before. But Hailey? It’s just dinner. I’ll take you out, show you around San Diego, and we’ll see where things go after that. I have a feeling that I’ll be taking you out again—for more than just dinner. But I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable or worry—if I’m moving too fast or something, just say so.”
“It’s not too fast,” she assured him. “And you’re right—it’s dinner. We were going to have dinner back in Bagram anyway, right?”
Grayson chuckled. “Right. But don’t worry, I’m taking you somewhere a hell of a lot better than the chow hall.”
“Well, thank goodness for small miracles,” she teased. “So tell me about San Diego. Do you have an apartment there or what?”
“Apartment,” he confirmed. “It’s down by the water. What can I say? I love the beach. The other guys on my team aren’t too far away. You’ve met them all, so you’ll know a few people when you come. And I’m sure you’ll meet Blake’s girlfriend Clarissa at some point. I think you’ll like her. And I know the guys will all want to see you again and know that you’re okay.”
“That’s sweet.” She yawned, and Grayson muttered something under his breath.
“I should let you get some rest, sweetheart. You already said you had a busy day and were sore. Your body needs time to recover.”
“I am a little tired,” she admitted.
“We’ll talk again soon,” he promised. “And I want to know your address and everything for when you get here.”
“Yeah, I’ll text you my address. I wonder how far apart I’ll be living from you? It’s kind of surreal—here I thought I was moving across the country without knowing anyone.”
“You know me. And I promise that no matter what happens—whatever happens between us, you’ll have a friend out