Never Falling Again: An opposites attract, Navy SEAL on vacation romantic comedy (Falling in Maui Book 3)

by Mercer Scott

  And that would be the worst thing in the world. The one thing that I can’t let happen. Because nothing can ever happen with him. As much as maybe – just maybe – I’m starting to want it to.

  Chapter Nine

  Cooper

  It’s been three weeks since Natalia Roy literally steamrolled her way into my life. Three weeks of meeting with her for the hospital committee. Three weeks of seeing her nearly every day. And every time, I think I’m getting a little bit closer to breaking down those glacier walls of hers, she just shoves me back and throws up a new one.

  There was the sunset at the beach. The trip to the Maui botanical gardens. More coffees than I can count. Two more walks on my family’s private beach. Countless meals at the Glass Balls. And nothing. She likes hanging out with me. She laughs at my jokes. That much I’m clear on.

  But whatever happened to her with the last guy – not that she’ll tell me a damn thing about it other than what she let slip about men who lie and cheat – it really messed her up. I’d kick that guy’s ass if I knew who he was.

  Natalia is sweet, and kind, and sexy as hell, even if she doesn’t know it. She deserves more than to spend her life hating all men because one piece of shit did her wrong. She has her whole life ahead of her, and spending all this time with her is reminding me that I do to.

  That life may not include the Navy anymore. But that doesn’t mean that there’s nothing left for me. Figuring out what is left is where I’m making even less progress than I am with Natalia. There’s New York, my family, and the ultimatum. And then there’s the rest of the world and I have no earthly idea. All I ever wanted to be was a Navy SEAL. And it’s not like there’s a bunch of similar jobs out there.

  I’ve been putting my mother off by saying that my rehab isn’t done yet, and the committee bought me some time. But I don’t know how much longer she’s going to keep buying that. The clock is ticking. Lillian Rutherford Hamilton is getting anxious, and when she gets anxious, she gets on a plane. The last thing I need is my mother showing up here on Maui and trying to bring me back home or worse.

  No, if I have any hope of not ending up back in some mind-numbingly boring desk job in Manhattan, I need to come up with a better plan. And fast. And that’s why I talked Marcus into coming to the Glass Balls with me to brainstorm job prospects for former Navy SEALs. He’s in the same boat as I am. No boat at all, and that’s the damn problem.

  “You’re going to love this place. The fried shrimp are out of this world. But do you want to go in first and get a table? The owner kind of hates me.”

  “What did you do to make him hate you? And why are we at a restaurant where the owner hates you? He’s probably going to spit in our food. No, thank you.” Marcus shakes his head, and he looks like he’s going to be physically ill. This man is a decorated war hero, but the thought of someone spitting in his food is apparently enough to make him lose his lunch.

  “I’ll explain later. Just go in and get a table. I’ll come in once you’re sitting down.” Nodding towards the door, I give Marcus a shove on the shoulder to get him moving. Not even Grant Graham is coming between me and his fried shrimp today. I have some serious thinking to do, and I need that damn fried shrimp to do it. Fried shrimp is my thinking food.

  Less than a minute later, while I’m still salivating over fried shrimp, the door opens and Marcus comes out shaking his head. “They’re all full. I put my name down on the waitlist. But it’s going to be at least thirty minutes. Why don’t we just go somewhere else?”

  “Nope. I want that shrimp. I’ve been thinking about that batter all day. I don’t care how hungry you are. We’re waiting.”

  “You think maybe this obsession with fried shrimp is something you should to bring up in group? Major Farrow is always trying to get you to talk more. Just something to think about.” Marcus gives me a judgmental look. But he hasn’t tasted this fried shrimp, yet. We’ll see about that judgment once he’s had a taste of that crispy, crunchy, seasoned batter.

  “Not funny. My feelings for fried shrimp are the least of my issues. And what happens in group stays in group,” I tell him, frowning right back.

  The door to the glass balls swings open, and then Grant is standing right in front of me. “What the hell are you doing here?”

  He levels an accusing glare at Marcus. “You didn’t say this guy was the other half of your party of two.”

  Marcus steps back. “This is between you two and the fried shrimp.”

  “We’re busy. You should go somewhere else to eat.” Grant stands in front of the door, crossing his arms over his chest angrily.

  “I don’t think so. We have as much right to eat here as anyone else.”

  “Doesn’t work like that, brother. Private establishment. Read the sign. We reserve the right to reserve service. To anyone.”

  “That sign says no shirt, no shoes, no service. I’m wearing both.”

  “Well, you’re still getting no service. Get out of here!”

  “Okay, now I really want to know what this is about. No one hates my boy this much. Or at all. What the hell did he do for you to deny him all this shrimp?” Marcus is trying hard not to laugh at this ridiculous situation. I really hope he manages it because laughing in Grant’s face isn’t exactly going to help things. A lesson I learned the hard way.

  “He knows what he did,” Grant accuses.

  “Is everything okay here?” A voice asks from behind me.

  Natalia.

  When I turn around to face her, she looks like she’s about to burst into laughter. Why is this so damn funny to everyone else? It’s not funny at all. But laughing or not, she looks gorgeous in a long, white linen sundress and flip flops, her long, dark hair falling over her shoulders and down her back.

  “Everything’s fine. I’m just letting these gentlemen know that we’re full up and they should move along.” Grant steps back and opens the door for Natalia to enter.

  “Hey, if you’re full up, where is she going?” I can’t stop myself from asking, even though I know the answer is only going to piss me off.

  “She is a valued customer. And she made a reservation,” Grant mutters under his breath.

  Natalia shrugs and nods. “The Glass Balls is always busy. I wanted to be safe.”

  “Guess you should have made a reservation.” Grant shrugs.

  “Would you have given me a reservation, if I called to make one?” I demand, already knowing the answer.

  “Guess we’ll never know.” Grant smiles at me, and that ice-cold smile tells me exactly how successful my hypothetical attempt to make a reservation would be.

  “Natalia, who are you meeting? Lara? Veronica?” I demand, desperately grasping onto an idea. An idea that just might solve everything. Well, maybe not everything. But at least it would solve my needs for fried shrimp and spending more time with Natalia.

  “Not tonight. It’s just me. Lara and V have a work event, and I was at home unable to stop thinking about those fried shrimp and garlic fries. The food here really is amazing, Grant,” Natalia smiles up at him and rests her hand on his arm. Her hand on this jerk’s arm makes me way angrier than it should. But rational thought has long-since left the building. I’m hungry, and pissed, and horny. And if I’m not making love to Natalia on a beach of something, then I want my damn fried shrimp and garlic fries. I’m this close to making a call and having my brother, Archer, buy the damn place. We can buy the whole damn block if that’s what it takes. But I’m not leaving here without fried shrimp and garlic fries.

  “Sweet of you to say, darlin’. Now, come on in so I can get back into the kitchen,” Grant tells her with a smile. He gives me one last dirty look and then turns to head inside the restaurant.

  “Come on, Natalia. Are you really not going to take pity on two injured veterans? Let us join you for dinner.” I’m actually begging now. This is a new low.

  “Pathetic!” Marcus shout-coughs behind me.

  I give him a withering look before tur
ning back around to face Natalia. She’s looking from me to Marcus to Grant. For a second, I think those glacier walls of hers are going to leave us out here to starve. But then she bites her lip, and I know she’s going to come to our rescue.

  She squeezes Grant’s arm gently. “Would it be okay if they joined me? I just feel so bad. They are both war heroes, wounded in combat – even Cooper.”

  “Even Cooper?” Marcus laughs behind me. He’s loving every damn minute of this.

  I turn around and mouth I hate you at him.

  “Whatever you want, darlin’. If you want them in, they’re in,” Grant assures her.

  “Thank you so much! I really appreciate it, Grant! I promise that they’ll be on their best behavior – even Cooper. Or else I’ll kick them out myself.” She gives him the biggest, sweetest smile, and I’ve never wanted to punch him more.

  Natalia motions for me and Marcus to walk in front of her into the restaurant, and then she and Grant follow us in. He walks us over to the same big booth in the corner we always sit at and glares at me as I slide in next to Natalia. Like I’m going to pass up an opportunity to squeeze in next to her? I don’t think so. Grant leans over and gently places a menu in front of Natalia and then throws the other two on the table as he walks away muttering to himself. Let’s be honest, he’s probably be cursing the day I was born.

  “What the hell did you do to that guy, man?” Marcus demands as soon as Grant is out of earshot.

  “I don’t want to talk about it,” I mutter under my breath.

  “I’m happy to!” Natalia jumps in cheerfully. “So, apparently Cooper came here on a date, and they returned their food three times! Three times! The sign on the door – and on the menus – clearly states no alterations, substitutions, or returns.”

  “That’s not even right. She sent the food back three times. Mine was great. I ate every last bite before he could ban me from coming back.”

  “Same difference. You were here with a woman and food was sent back. Or are you now claiming that wasn’t you?”

  “All I’m saying is that it didn’t go down exactly the way you said it did. But even if it did, how does any of it justify this kind of hatred? He’s completely irrational!”

  “Don’t let Grant hear you say that, or he’ll double-ban you for life.” Natalia glances cautiously towards the kitchen.

  “Aren’t you always saying that people like you?” Marcus throws in, still laughing.

  “Oh really? That hasn’t been my experience.” Natalia shoots back.

  I frown at Marcus and then turn to Natalia. “You like me just fine.”

  Natalia shrugs back at me. “Hmmm, I think it’s more that you won’t go away, and I’m just getting used to you.”

  “I don’t know. The ladies do usually love Cooper. I think it’s the weird eyes,” Marcus says, squinting his own eyes at me.

  “Having purple eyes is super weird.” Natalia smiles happily at Marcus.

  “They’re grey. Light gray. Not purple. No one has purple eyes,” I mutter, even if I know neither of them are listening.

  “It’s like he’s never looked in a mirror.” Natalia starts laughing. And Marcus joins right in.

  “I get no appreciation around here. I need some damn fried shrimp to sooth my wounded ego. I’m taking more shots tonight than I did in active duty.”

  “Is it okay if I order for everyone? If you two try to order, your food is going to be served with a side of saliva. At least if I order, the odds of that should go way down,” Natalia says, trying not to laugh. At least she’s trying this time.

  Marcus slides his menu across the table to her. “I do not want anyone spitting in my food thank you very much.”

  Natalia gets Grant’s attention and calls him over to the table. Then she orders enough food to feed ten people – or possibly just one very hungry me – and a pitcher of beer.

  “That sound okay to everyone?” She asks uncertainly after Grant heads back to the bar.

  “Fine by me. I’m Marcus, by the way. Since our rude friend here didn’t bother to introduce us. Who exactly are you?” Marcus is smiling at her, and now I want to punch him too. He’s too good-looking for his own good. Women love Marcus, and I don’t want Natalia to be one of them.

  “Oh, I’m Natalia. I’m ummm… I met Cooper… ummm. I’m helping out with a committee at the veterans’ hospital. That’s how I know Cooper.” Natalia’s eyes are darting back and forth between us like she thinks she’s said too much. She didn’t. She may have strung some words together, but none of them made much sense. She does not just know me from the committee. Not anymore.

  “How do you know Cooper?” she asks nervously, trying to change the subject.

  Marcus smiles at her. “We were both Navy SEALs. But we really only got to know each other at the veterans’ hospital. We’re travelling the same road at the moment.”

  Natalia nods and gives him a sweet smile. Why is her sweetness directed at every man except me?

  “I hope it’s not too long of a road, but at least you’re not stuck on it with just this guy.” She jerks her head towards me, in case there was any doubt that I was the guy that no one should have to be stuck with for too long.

  Marcus stares at me for a long minute. “He’s not so bad, if you give him a chance. Can’t say that I liked him much at first, either. But he kind of just sticks around until you get used to him.”

  “Mmm-hmmm, like Stockholm Syndrome.” She nods.

  Marcus lets out a bark of laughter. “Exactly.”

  “Stockholm Syndrome? Like I kidnapped you and brainwashed you into liking me? People like me. I am a likeable guy.”

  “You’re so right, Marcus. It’s exactly like that. I mean I bumped into him in a hallway at the hospital, and since then I see him everywhere I go. Like tonight. How did you guys end up here tonight?” Natalia asks suspiciously.

  “We were going to discuss civilian job prospects. And Coop seemed pretty desperate for some fried shrimp. Really desperate. I was getting concerned about what was going to happen if he didn’t get his shrimp. How long are we thinking the kitchen’s going to take tonight?” Marcus surveys me like I might lose it at any moment.

  “I hate both of you jerks right now. If I could, I would go find another table and eat my fried shrimp in peace.” At this point, I’m not even sure if either of them is listening to anything I have to say.

  “There is no way Grant is letting you have your own table, so I guess you’re stuck with us!” She doesn’t seem too unhappy about that, so I guess that’s progress.

  Natalia and Marcus seem to be getting along, so I take a backseat and just listen for a while. It’s good for Marcus to be out like this. Since losing his leg, he’s been hiding out at the hospital more than I’d like. I get it. I felt the same in the beginning, but it’s not healthy. This is our new normal, and we can’t pretend that our injuries didn’t happen. Because they did. I’m reminded of that every time I stand up or get out of bed. But the pain Marcus has had to deal with – and the rehab – I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy, much less my friend.

  The pitcher of beer makes its way over to the table, and then eventually all the food Natalia ordered comes out in a steady flow of deep-fried deliciousness. The conversation flows just as steadily. It’s a good night. It feels normal. And I’m getting to see another side of Natalia, one that’s open and friendly like she was with her own friends. And not always shutting down like she does when it’s just the two of us, and I get anywhere near her walls.

  It’s not like me to chase after a woman. It’s not pride, it’s just that I’ve never had to. Women seem to find me attractive enough. And when they find out I’m a Navy SEAL and a Hamilton, I don’t have to say much else.

  Was a Navy SEAL. Was. I have to remember that. Even if it still doesn’t feel real to me. Just like the rods and pins and shrapnel in my hip doesn’t feel real. Until I move, and then it all comes crashing back down on me.

  “So, job prospects?
What ideas do you guys have?” Natalia asks as she picks at the dregs of the garlic fries. They’re lukewarm at best at this point, but they’re honestly still better than most of the fries I’ve eaten in my entire life.

  I was kind of hoping that with Natalia being here, we wouldn’t have to talk about job prospects. Even though I know I really need to come up with a plan.

  “No ideas. That’s the problem,” Marcus mutters in a low growl.

  “Being a SEAL is kind of a specific job. And with our injuries, most of the normal jobs that guys get after leaving active service aren’t really an option,” I add when Natalia looks confused.

  “Hmmm, okay. That makes sense.” She bites her lip thoughtfully as she eats another fry. “Why don’t we put a pin in anything Navy SEAL-related and think about other options, okay?”

  Marcus and I both nod slowly back at her.

  “What about hobbies? Things you did in high school? Special talents? Is there anything else you ever thought about doing?”

  “I only ever wanted to be a SEAL,” I tell her honestly.

  Marcus gives me a grim smile. “Me, too.”

  Natalia’s brows draw together and she frowns at us like my third-grade teacher, Miss Lacey, used to. It totally turns me on.

  “I said that we’re putting a pin in anything Navy SEAL-related, did I not?” She waits until we both nod at her solemnly before continuing. I like naughty school teacher Natalia. “Okay, new rule. The next person to mention anything Navy SEAL-related has to chug an entire beer. We are talking about likes, dislikes, talents, skills, anything other than being a Navy SEAL, agreed?”

  When we both nod at her again slowly, Natalia claps her hands together in front of her face. “Okay, what electives did you take in high school?”

  “I took home economics.” Marcus shrugs. “I like to cook.”