haven’t had a woman with you at our last few get togethers. Who are these ladies you’re talking about?”
“Very funny, jackass. I would say come out with us tonight, but your girl has you whipped.”
“You’ll hear no complaints from me,” Grayson said with a grin.
Ethan shook his head as they all reached the starting point again near Ghost’s apartment. He rolled his shoulders, stretching, and saw a woman walking her dog in the distance. For a brief moment, he had a vision of Kimberly coming down here to the beach with them. They’d walk their dog—which he didn’t have—laugh, and then head back to their place. The image was so clear it was startling.
He might like her, but they had a hell of a lot of obstacles in their way. Frowning, he moved away from his laughing teammates. He might be looking forward to seeing Kim this weekend, but he knew what this was and what it wasn’t.
He’d let her stay with him. They’d talk and laugh and have fun. He’d hold her in his arms if she needed him. But then he’d have to let her go back to her own life. And if it sucked that he’d never have a shot at a real relationship with her, then that was just something he’d have to deal with.
***
Kimberly wheeled her carryon through the gate after her plane landed on Saturday. Hailey and Grayson had offered to pick her up at the airport, and with the difference in time zones, it already felt like dinnertime to her.
She ignored the rumbling in her stomach and looked around.
It had been a long, crazy week. She’d spent two days at Walter Reed while they ran some extra tests and made sure her body was absorbing the nutrients she needed to regain her strength. She’d briefly gone to her apartment, where she’d promptly burst into tears. Seeing all her old things had overwhelmed her, and the thought of staying there alone terrified her. Her sister had driven her to their parents’ house, and they’d all spent the next few days together, laughing and crying as Kim tried to pretend everything was okay.
She hadn’t been back to her office yet, but since she’d been granted extended leave while she recovered and readjusted to life back in the States, she’d bought a plane ticket and flown out to San Diego. She’d still need to provide more details to the investigators, but right now, she’d just needed an escape.
Her mom had been practically hysterical when she’d left, and Kim was thankful her sister had taken her to the airport. She was already feeling a bit overwhelmed after flying in the confined space of the airplane. It hadn’t bothered her so much when she flew home from Bagram with Ethan’s team. She’d been exhausted and thrilled to get out of there.
Now her nerves were frayed, and the throngs of people streaming by were making her nervous. Being surrounded by strangers had never bothered her in the past, but she felt like she couldn’t trust anyone. She took a deep breath, steeling herself. It was silly to be stressed out over an airport. She flew all the time. She was an independent woman.
A woman hustling by jostled her, and she startled. Stepping off to the side, her heart pounding, she turned her phone back on. There was a text that Ethan had sent earlier.
Can’t wait to see you later on.
She was looking forward to seeing him in a few hours when he came over to Grayson and Hailey’s apartment. It had been a week since they’d parted ways at Andrews AFB, and just the thought of seeing Ethan made her practically buzz with excitement. How she could feel both calmed by and attracted to him, she wasn’t totally sure. He made her feel centered though, like she could take on anything with him at her side.
She slowly walked out to the baggage claim area, taking another deep breath. She’d only brought her carry-on, but her gaze swept through the crowds as she looked for Hailey. Suddenly she heard a shriek and then saw a flash of auburn hair as her friend raced toward her. It was only when Hailey was hugging her tightly, practically jumping up and down in excitement, that Kim realized both Grayson and Ethan were waiting for her.
Kim’s cheeks heated, but she beamed at Ethan as warmth washed over her. She was supposed to see him in a couple of hours when they all ate dinner