by Cat Johnson
They’d make it work. Dani was the toughest woman he knew.
He’d taken off early from the show to go to the doctor’s appointment, but now thoughts of Dani inspired him to drive back to the beach house to see her.
Tell her his news in person. Steal some kisses. Whatever . . .
He was about to do just that when the cell in his hand vibrated. He smiled as a call from Eric lit up his display.
“Viking! Didn’t think I’d hear from you for a while. I figured you and the team were OCONUS."
"We were. Just stepped off the transport. We’re about to head to McP’s and I’m thinking you need to join us to celebrate your return to the team.”
That sounded good. It had been too long. But he also knew these guys when they were just coming off an op. There was a good chance they’d be at the pub through dinner and well into the night. “For sure. I’ll definitely join you for a little while.”
“A little while? What the fuck? Does Pretty Boy have a curfew now? What’s going on? You get pussy whipped while you were on leave?”
“No. Fuck you.” Nick laughed even though it might be a little bit true. “I'll be there. What time?”
“One hour. Be there or deal with the consequences.” Eric hung up and Nick experienced the first challenge of balancing being in a serious relationship while also being in the teams—his teammates.
Nick walked through McP’s front door fifteen minutes early. He didn’t want to tempt more teasing by being late. He was going to get enough razzing over the show.
He slid his sunglasses off and spotted Ray behind the bar.
“There he is. Mr. Hollywood.” Ray grinned.
Nick frowned. “No. Not Mr. Hollywood. I got myself out of that gig.”
“I hope you’re right about that.” Ray coughed out a laugh and hooked a thumb behind him. “Half the team’s already on the patio.”
Nick’s eyes popped wide. “What? I’m early.”
“They were earlier.” Ray shrugged and slid a pint across the bar to Nick. “Here you go. You better catch up.”
Nick threw a few bills on the bar. “Yeah, I guess so. Thanks.”
He slid his glasses back on as he walked out the back door and onto the patio.
The team was easy to spot. They occupied a table in the back corner of the walled outdoor space.
They were even easier to hear since SEALs, when not working, weren’t quiet.
He sauntered up to the table and put down his beer to pull out the chair. “Hey, guys. What’s up?”
“Well, it’s about time you got here,” Eric said.
“Fuck you. Dude, you set me up. Told me to be here in an hour, and when I get here in forty-five minutes you’re here already. And on your second round of drinks, I see.”
“A few minutes later and you would have missed the wings.” Benjamin Blackwell, aka C-Note, tipped his chin toward the waitress heading their direction with two overflowing plates of wings.
Eric shrugged. “You should know better than to listen to me. And that you didn’t know shows you’ve been away too long.”
“Well, I can’t disagree with that.”
“Hey, Pretty Boy. Viking here told us the good news. You’re back next week?” Evan Cowboy Lancaster asked.
“I am. And not a minute too soon.”
“Aw, come on. Civilian life can’t be that bad. Laying around all day getting fat,” Cowboy joked.
Nick cocked a brow. “Do I look like I’ve been laying around getting fat?”
“No, you look like you’ve been sunbathing. What, did you become a beach bum?” Eric asked.
“Surfer dude, more like. Don’t forget Pretty Boy here is a Cali boy by birth.” C-Note tipped his head toward Nick.
“So am I, but I don’t surf,” Cowboy pointed out.
“I’m thinking Pretty Boy here didn’t get fat on medical leave because he’s got a new girl in his life.” Eric shot Nick a glance. “Am I right?”
He was going to deny it, but why? Chances were good he’d be bringing Dani around to hang with the team. And then there was that damn show, if that thing saw the light of day.
He didn’t understand a lot about the industry, but apparently a show being green lit for ten episodes meant it was most likely going to air. So it was very likely the team would all see him and Dani on screen kissing anyway.
Nick was still hoping his scenes would end up on the editing room floor, but just in case they didn’t, he might as well admit to the relationship now.
Maybe he’d save the news of the show for later. One thing at a time.
He drew in a breath and nodded. “Yeah. I do have someone special in my life.”
Eric cocked up a brow. “About damn time.”
Nick could have pointed out that although a few of the guys had coupled up, Eric was still very single, but he didn’t.
Maybe it was his good mood about getting back to the team and that he was over the moon about having Dani in his life, but he agreed. “It’s definitely about time.”
“So, where’d you meet her?” Cowboy asked.
“And does she have a sister?” C-Note followed up.
Nick laughed. “I met her oh about twenty-eight years ago and yes, she has a sister. Her sister is married to my brother.”
Eric’s eyes widened. “Well, holy shit. It’s the neighbor chick? You’ve had a crush on that girl since I met you.”
“No, I didn’t—” Nick was cut off by every man there objecting to his denial in one way or another. He let out a breath. “Okay. Maybe I did.”
Jeez, being out had made him soft. He was letting these guys run all over him today. Or maybe it was just Dani who had softened him. He was going to have to consider the consequences of that later.
In the meantime, thankfully, the wings kept the guys’ mouths busy for a bit and then the conversation turned to other topics.
Nick stayed for another beer and then took his leave.
He called Dani from the Jeep. When she answered, he said, “Hey, pookie bear.”
“Nope. Keep trying.”
He grinned, enjoying annoying her as much as possible with his search for an endearment.
“What did the doctor say?” she asked.
He realized he’d never gotten that text to her written because Eric had called. “I’ll tell you in person when I get to your place. How long will you be at work tonight?”
“I’m not at work. I just got home.
“Already?” He glanced at the time on the dash. “It’s only seven.”
Sad that seven p.m., after a twelve-hour workday, was early in her world. He was used to vampire hours and being on for days at a stretch, but he didn’t like Dani working such long days.
“Why? Did you want me to not be home?” she asked with a good bit of attitude.
“Oh, hell no. I couldn’t be happier.” He swung the Jeep out of the parking spot and in the direction that would take him to Dani’s. “I’ll be right over.”
Looked like there was good news all around today.
THIRTY-SIX
She was nervous. Why? Nick had slept at her place six out of the last seven nights. The only night he hadn’t was that horrible night she’d spent believing he was going to be Katia’s new groom.
Yet here she stood in front of her closet, hanging up all the outfits she’d tried on and rejected, just because she didn’t want Mr. Neat and Tidy to think she was a slob.
All they were going to do was talk about his doctor’s appointment today. Then probably sit around and watch TV, eat something for a late dinner . . . and hopefully have sex.
Unbelievably amazing, sweaty, loud, orgasmic sex that she still couldn’t believe she’d missed out on until now . . . but that was usually done naked. So why so many outfits?
She had a feeling she knew where her obsessive changing stemmed from. She felt in her gut he was going to tell her he was going back to the SEALs. And she was afraid that was going to change things.
Now t
hat things were good, really good, any sort of change felt as if it would be bad. So bad.
“Hey.”
Dani spun to see Nick leaning in the doorway. She guessed what she had on was what she was wearing for the night. “Hey.”
He moved closer. “You look great.” His gaze dropped over the wide legged pants topped with a tank top.
“Thanks.”
“Are we going somewhere?” he asked.
“No. Is it okay if we stay here?”
“Oh, yeah. More than okay.” He moved closer and rested his hands on her waist. “So not that I’m complaining. Not one little bit, but what happened that you’re home so early?”
“Katia was nowhere to be found when I left today.”
“What?” His eyes widened.
“Yup. MIA.” Dani nodded, feeling oddly calm about the whole thing.
“Is Maria flipping out?”
“Pretty much.”
“And you left anyway?” Nick asked, still looking shocked.
“Yes.”
He smiled. “I’m very proud of you.”
“You are? Why?” She frowned.
“You’re not letting the job consume your life.”
“You’re right. I’m not going to do that anymore.”
“So where do you think she went?” Nick asked.
Dani shrugged. “No clue. The girls were all fighting, again. So that’s nothing new. Then we went to look for Katia for the Social Media Bingo game and she was nowhere to be found.”
Nick cocked up his brow. “Do I want to know what Social Media Bingo is?”
“Probably not,” Dani said. “But I swear, I’m going to put a tracker on that girl so we can get this damn show finished.” A thought hit her. “Hey. You have those in the SEALs? Trackers. And can you get me one?”
“Yes, we do and no, I can’t.” Chuckling, he leaned in to kiss her forehead. “And I’m proud you're sticking it out with this job to the end, but I’m also very happy you’re looking around for something new.”
“Oh, I definitely am. My resume is out there, but I'll stick it out through the end of production. I figure you're right. After this show, I'll be uniquely prepared for anything any other job throws at me.”
“Trial by fire?”
“Trial by Katia.” Dani hugged Nick closer.
He reciprocated, squeezing her tightly to him. “So, do you think she'll come back? I mean, fake relationship or not, I’d feel horrible if she ran out on my friend Tucker.”
“So would I. He’s so sweet. But I think she’ll be back. The fame and money are too good. She likes the spotlight too much to give it up easily.”
“And if not?” Nick asked.
“If our runaway bride got cold feet and is gone for good?” She’d actually considered that. “The producers won’t be happy, but they'd probably just bump up one of the bridesmaids into her spot, I guess. Just like how they replaced Carl."
"Jesus. This shit is just nuts." He shook his head.
"Yes, it is."
He looked at her and smiled. "You know what else is nuts?"
"What?"
"How crazy I am about you. Dani," Nick drew in a breath and stared into her eyes. “I am totally and completely in love with you.”
Dani’s heart stuttered. It got hard to breathe. She’d been wanting to hear those words about as much as she feared them. Or rather, feared her own feelings for Nick.
She swallowed. She needed to buy some time before she laid her heart out for him and made herself completely vulnerable. "And you drive me crazy, so I guess we're even."
Nick’s lips twitched as he shook his head. “You know, that would have been a perfect time for you to tell me that you love me too?"
Pulse racing, she lifted one shoulder. "I didn't want you to get a swelled head."
He cocked a brow and waited. The silence was deafening.
"Oh, okay.” She rolled her eyes, but inwardly, her heart was pounding. Dani drew in a breath and blew it out. “Nicholas Nelson, I'm completely and totally in love with you . . . and if you break my heart, I swear to God I'll sneak in your window and smother you in your sleep."
He leaned back and laughed.
"Wow. That might be the most frightening confession of love in history." Smiling, he hugged her tighter and rested his forehead against hers. “And I wouldn’t have had it any other way, schmoopy.”
Dani shook her head. “No. Keep trying.”
He smiled, before closing in on her mouth for a kiss worthy of their love.
EPILOGUE
“And now, Cold Feet!” The voiceover announced the show title as the opening images flashed on screen.
When Tucker’s name and image appeared, every SEAL there cheered. Out of the teams or not, Tucker was one of theirs. Once a SEAL, always a SEAL. He had their support, even if he wasn’t in attendance tonight.
McP’s was overflowing for the viewing party of the first episode. The bar had even installed a couple of extra televisions outdoors on the patio.
Nick sighed and looked around.
Of all the people there, there were only a handful Nick cared about. Dani, of course. His new partners in reality show misery, Clay and Zach. His brother and Jess. And his team. All there to watch the show Nick had a feeling his face was going to eventually appear in whether he liked it or not.
“You get to see an advance copy?” Clay said, leaning over Tasha to ask Nick the question.
Nick spun to him. “No. Should I have?”
Clay lifted a shoulder. “I did of my show.”
“Shit.” He hadn’t known to ask for an advance copy. He leaned closer to Dani. “Did you know we could have gotten an advance copy of the show?”
That would have been very nice, to know what was coming before everyone he knew and cared about saw it.
“I tried. They said no.”
“Clay got one.” Nick sounded whinier than he liked.
Dani lifted one shoulder. “What can I say? Clay is scarier than me and you.”
Nick scowled at that. He could be plenty scary. When and where he had to be. He hadn’t realized the beach house was one of those places.
He watched the cast introduce themselves on the screen. The guys in the crowds showed their appreciation for the bathing suit clad girls. But to be fair, the women in the crowd did the same for the shirtless, pumped up, muscle-flexing guys.
God, he hoped he didn’t end up on screen tonight with all of his teammates here to see it. He’d told them he’d been security on the set. He had left out the possibility he might be in the show as well. Call him an optimist. Or delusional.
Dani squeezed his arm. “Don’t worry.”
He blew out a breath. “Why not, smarty pants?”
Her eyes brightened. “That’s it.”
“What’s it?” He frowned.
“Smarty pants. I like it. That’s what you can call me.”
His mouthed dropped open. “That’s a hard no. Veto. Now tell me why I shouldn’t worry.”
“Because Dave told me neither of us are in this first episode.”
Nick’s eyes widened. “Really? You know that for sure?”
She nodded. “Yup. But we are in episode three.”
His joy was squashed with that answer. But he could live with that. He’d just make sure to not be watching episode three with his teammates. Or even better, fingers crossed they’d be on a mission when that one was released.
“But wait. You knew this and didn’t tell me?” He frowned.
“Sorry. I didn’t know you were so concerned. I mean you’re like a wreck tonight. I’ve never seen you like this.”
He had good reason to be a wreck tonight, but only part of it was playing out on those TV screens. The main reason was in a small velvet box in his pocket.
Feeling sentimental, he said, “I love you.”
She smiled. “I love you too. Now shush. Your would-be bride is on screen.”
He scowled. Katia was never even close to being
his bride. But he hoped by the end of tonight Dani would be.
Paranoid, he reached down and felt for the box in his pocket. He’d never had something worth so much in the pocket of his cargo shorts before. It was nerve wracking.
Dani caught the motion and smiled. “Mmm. Got something down there for me?”
Reaching under the table, Dani donned a naughty expression he’d really have enjoyed at any other time.
“Dani—”
As she slipped her fingers into his pocket, he reached for her hand, but it was too late. Her eyes widened.
“Nick. What’s that?”
He narrowed his eyes at her. “Really? Of all nights, you had to reach into my pocket tonight?”
Still wide-eyed, Dani swallowed and withdrew her hand. “Sorry.”
He grabbed her hand and pressed his lips to her fingers. “It’s okay. Are you going to let me do it right?”
Speechless, for once, she nodded.
“Good. Thank you.” He glanced at the screen. There was a commercial break.
No time like the present, he supposed. He stood and drew the box out of his pocket.
With Dani still seated, and one hand covering her mouth while the other pressed to her stomach, Nick got down on one knee—the good knee. Even if he was completely better now, the memory of the injury was still very much alive in his mind.
Of course, his action didn’t go unnoticed. He heard the gasps from the women and the muttered obscenities from his team.
And above it all, he heard his brother say, “Go for it, bro.”
Ignoring the audience, he cleared his throat. “Danielle Angelica Garcia. I’ve known you practically since the day you were born. And I want to be with you until the day I die. I want it all. The bickering. The smart ass comments. Even the crappy reality TV shows. Will you? Share my life? Be my wife?”
She bit her lip and for a second he got scared, until her eyes teared up and she nodded. “Yes.”
It was soft, but he heard it. He was listening hard enough. But that was the last thing he heard from Dani, because the crowd on the patio went wild.
He probably should have chosen a more private venue for this. Especially since he was getting a little teary eyed himself.