Hot SEAL, Confirmed Bachelor- Cynthia D'Alba Page 0,61

first, a guy you know you can call when you need him and he’ll drop everything and come running to be at your side…?”

“Yes,” Diana said. “That’s what I’m saying. Don’t get me wrong. I understand wanting to get naked with Benjamin because, wow, he’s delicious. But then over here is a perfectly nice guy, who’s attractive, interested in Holly, and here.”

“That’s bullshit,” Bethany said, frowning. “Lead with your heart.”

“I’m probably getting ahead of myself,” Holly said. “Especially with Seth. He only asked to date, not get married.”

“Well, your brother would probably kill me since I wasn’t supposed to tell you, but Seth has been asking about you since Bethany’s party.” Diana took a long drink. “He’s interested all right. Very. So, yeah. If you give the man an opening, he’s going to take it. So, what do you want? Fun now, or someone to spend your life with?”

“Why can’t she have fun for the rest of her life?” Bethany said, her chin lifting. “You don’t need a damned man to fix your plumbing for you. That’s what YouTube videos are for. Do you want hot sex or running water?”

The month of August was hot. Holly’s only relief from the heat was riding waves with Katie. She and Katie had spent a lot of time together this summer and she never regretted her decision to quit the beach lifeguarding job.

She continued to take Seth’s calls and help him with childrearing advice, but they never went on that one-on-one date he’d wanted. She wasn’t sure if by going she would be leading him on or if by going she’d be acknowledging to herself that Ben had been a fling and nothing more.

On August fifteenth, Katie turned thirteen, complete with a boy-girl party held at Holly’s house. Her daughter was growing up, maturing, and it was both exciting and depressing. Time was flying by. It was hard to believe Steve had been gone eleven years now. He would’ve been so proud of how Katie was turning out. Smart as whip and as pretty as peach, as her grandmother would’ve said.

School started in late August, and she was almost relieved to have something to occupy her mind. She heard from Ben and even on a few rare occasions, had been able to be with him, but he’d been distracted and distant. She felt him pulling away. She wanted to hold on, to cling to him, but that wasn’t what their relationship was about.

She had no idea what he and his team were working on, only that it took up almost all their time. She’d spoken to a couple of team ladies and found that they’d been isolated from their guys, too. She watched the news looking for hot spots around the world, but oddly, the fighting between nations appeared to be on a break. She was in the dark, both on what he was working on and what would happen to them long term.

The weekend before the wedding, there was one last engagement party for Lawrence and Bethany. Hosted by a college buddy of her brother’s, it was a backyard, beer-in-kegs, and hot dogs-on-the-grill casual affair. Ben had texted her that he’d be unable to attend and to give his best wishes to the bride and groom. He was trying to get off the day of the wedding, but made no promises.

The wedding had been the deadline for her and Ben’s time together. With his current SEAL commitments, it could realistically be after the wedding before she saw him again and by then, there would be nothing keeping them together.

She left Katie at her parents’ house and drove herself to the party. Seth had offered to drive her so she could drink, but she wasn’t in the mood for alcohol tonight. If she got drunk enough, she might cry.

The event was in full party mode when she arrived at eight. Yes, she was late. If it hadn’t been for her brother, she probably wouldn’t have gone. She wasn’t in a celebrating mood.

“You’re here,” a tipsy Bethany said, throwing her arms around Holly. “I love you. You’re going to be the best sister-in-law.”

Holly chuckled. “What are you drinking, and how many have you had?”

Bethany’s eyes widened. “I don’t know, but it tastes like fruit punch.” She shoved her glass at Holly. “Here. Taste.”

“Thanks, hun, but I’m driving tonight. I think I’d better stick with soft drinks.”

“I don’t have to worry about it,” Bethany slurred. “My husband-to-be promised I’d get home, so I will.” She