Hot SEAL, Confirmed Bachelor- Cynthia D'Alba Page 0,62
drained the red liquid from her plastic glass. “Oops. I’m out. Be right back.”
Holly shook her head and grinned. That girl’s head was going to hurt tomorrow.
She found the stash of Coke products and poured herself one with no liquor.
“You’re here.”
She turned around to face Seth. “That I am. How are you?”
“I’m good,” he said, refilling his plastic glass with soda. “The girls have asked if Katie can come over sometime.”
“If she wants to, sure.”
“How was her birthday?”
“It was very nice. Thank you for sending her the iTunes card. You certainly didn’t have to.”
“It was more from my girls than me.”
“Well, either way, the money will be well spent on music. It was a very nice thing to do.”
As she spoke, she realized how often she used the word nice to describe anything involving Seth. He was nice. An all-around good person with a steady job that put him at home most nights. Was that what she wanted? Needed?
Katie was gone more and more doing things with friends. As her daughter aged, the time spent with friends would be more, not less. The time Holly was home alone would only get longer and lonelier.
She dragged her musings back to the present. Looking around, she asked, “Who’s your date tonight?”
“Didn’t bring one.” He stepped closer. “The woman I wanted to bring is here.”
“Oh.” Her heart pounded against her ribs when he neared. Her tongue felt thick, as though she’d lost the ability to form words, or at least, the right response…not that she had any idea what the right response should be. Her gaze dropped to her feet.
“In case you’re not aware, I’m interested in you, Holly. I like you. You’re funny and sweet and I’d like to see more of you.”
“Oh.” Her gaze jerked up to his face. Her breathing hitched at his serious expression. She’d known he was interested in her, but she was surprised he was willing to lay it on the line like that. “I’m flattered, Seth, but…”
“I know. The SEAL. But I’m not giving up on you. I think if you’d give me a chance, you’d see that I’m a great guy.”
She smiled but before she could respond, her sister-in-law swooped in and wrapped her arm through Holly’s.
“Sorry, Seth. You don’t get to monopolize my best friend tonight.”
He laughed, and that sober expression morphed into a smile. His laughter and as always, was nice and modulated to an appropriate volume. “Take her away, Diana.” He looked at Holly. “Think about what we talked about, okay?”
“I will.”
Holly let Diana lead her away.
“Thanks,” Holly said. “I needed the escape.”
“It looked a little too serious.”
“It was. He wants to date me.”
“I know. Remember? I told you.” She looked around. “Is Benjamin coming tonight?”
“No. Something’s going on at the base that keeping him there a lot.”
“Are you sure it’s work? You’re talking about a confirmed bachelor. Is it possible he’s ready to move on and by putting distance between you, he’s hoping to let you down easily?”
“It’s work. I’ve talked to some of his team members’ girlfriends. Their guys are at the base all the time.”
“Okay. I stand corrected. Sorry. Come on. Let’s get some dogs before they’re all gone.”
Diana’s words haunted Holly the rest of the evening. Was her sister-in-law right? Was Ben using the heavy workload to put some time and distance between them?
Chapter Twelve
Benjamin was given the day off for the wedding. His CO wasn’t thrilled, but all three SEAL teams had worked non-stop for months. Their assault plan was done. They’d run through the exercise so many times, the movements had infiltrated Benjamin’s sleep. When he wasn’t dreaming about the upcoming mission, he was dreaming of Holly. He missed her so much, his heart ached.
Their deal wasn’t supposed to go this way. He’d dated women for four months before. He’d enjoyed their company, but his heart had never gotten involved. His cock? Sure, but never his emotions.
After his sonofabitch father, Benjamin had been sure he didn’t have the ability to love in his genetic programming. How surprising it was to learn that maybe he did.
No, that was a lie. There was no maybe. He loved Holly, not that she’d given him any indication that she wanted more from him. She’d used him to avoid issues with her family. That’d worked. The wedding was here, and her need for him would be over after the reception, which was just as well. The teams flew out tonight at midnight.
He pulled the plastic off his dress blue uniform and