Hot SEAL, Cold Feet - Becca Jameson Page 0,27

I’ve been cheating. Let Katia win. At least my relationship with Jodi won’t start off on the wrong foot.”

“Yikes,” Clay responded. “That’s a tough situation. What does Jodi think?”

“She’s the sweetest woman I’ve ever met. Hasn’t even pressured me to break the contract, even though we probably could get away with it. Insists she can stick this out. I’m still worried though.” Tuck took a drink of his beer.

“So, let me get this straight,” Nick continued. “You have not even kissed this woman, Jodi?”

Tuck shook his head.

“You’re a better man than me,” Zach admitted. “Not sure I could have done the same thing in your shoes. I’d have caved and hoped I got away with it.”

“At first, I considered it, but the longer I knew Jodi, the more I realized she wasn’t just some woman I had the hots for. She’s the real deal for me. So, I backed off. No way was I going to mess around with her while I was married. Even if the marriage is a total joke.”

“It’s a legit marriage though?” Clay asked.

“Yep. Totally legal. I’ll have to file for divorce like any other disgruntled spouse. Plan on doing that Monday morning.”

“And Jodi? Does she want to wait until your divorce is final before she’ll go out with you?” Nick asked.

“Nope. Said she would go to lunch with me Monday.” Tuck shuddered. “If I had to wait any longer, there’s no telling how that might affect our already tumultuous beginning. No idea how long the divorce might take.”

“You can get it done pretty quickly these days. Especially if there’s no contest and you don’t have mixed assets,” Clay said.

Tuck took another drink. “There are certainly no mixed assets, and it’s not like Katia could come after me for alimony. The woman makes way more money than I do.”

“Then you shouldn’t have a problem dissolving it pretty fast,” Clay added.

Tuck tipped his head back and groaned. “I can’t believe I let myself get into this mess.”

“Sorry, man. If I’d known it would have snowballed, I never would have called you,” Nick said.

Tuck met his gaze. “Not your fault. You didn’t force me to do anything. You just offered me an opportunity. I appreciate it too. I was pretty down from leaving the SEALs, selling my mother’s house, and dealing with her failing health.”

“How is she doing, by the way?” Nick asked.

“Not well. It’s so hard to know how long she might last. The doctors won’t give me a guestimate. But she’s failing rapidly. Could be days. Could be months. They just don’t know.”

“So sorry, man,” Zach said. “That’s hard. You have a lot on your plate.”

They all sat in silence for a few minutes, finishing their beers. Clay was next to speak. “Can’t tell you what to do, Tuck, but follow your instincts. If your woman is willing to hold on three more days, I say take your cues from her. If you really think she’ll leave you over this, and she means that much to you, bail. It’s just money.”

That was the fifty-thousand-dollar question. Could Jodi really live with this decision in the long run? Or would she forever feel like she wasn’t as important to Tuck as fifty thousand dollars?

Chapter 13

“Roxie, what the hell has gotten into you today?” Liz hissed at Roxie as Jodi watched. It was midafternoon. They’d only been open a few hours. A slow day. Only three customers so far. A man at the far end of the bar and a couple in a booth.

Roxie rolled her eyes dramatically. “Why do you two always think something’s wrong with me? Maybe it’s you. Not everyone has to be all perfect all the time.”

Jodi frowned. Roxie was often moody, but she’d never heard her be downright rude. She came closer, hoping the two of them would lower their voices and keep the clients from hearing. “Both of you, stop it,” she whispered.

Roxie stiffened. “I didn’t do anything. Liz is the one who started it.” She pumped out her chest like she wanted to throw down with Liz. This was out of control.

Jodi lifted the end of the bar to get through to the other side, glanced back at both women, pointed to the hallway, and gritted out. “Office. Now.” She hurried that direction.

Her father was at the desk. “Dad, can you handle the front for a few minutes?”

“Sure.” He stood, glancing around at the women and apparently deciding his best bet was to get out now.

Jodi shut the door. “Roxie, what the