Cal had everything but the white picket fence, and he was a decade younger than Dave. It didn’t seem fair.
He made Audrey wait five minutes while he checked the RSVP list on his way out, and still Brooklynn’s name wasn’t on it. Muttering to himself, he crossed the parking lot to find Audrey leaning against his SUV and looking at her phone.
She glanced up when he unlocked the doors and gave him a look that he ignored. Behind the wheel, he said, “Sorry I was late.”
“What’s with you?” she asked, buckling her seatbelt. Everyone knew Brooklynn had broken up with him. Did she really have to ask?
“Nothing,” he said, practically jamming the key in the ignition.
“Bad day at sea?”
“Only nine more,” he said. “Single digits now.”
“Not that you’re counting down or anything,” she teased.
Oh, Dave had been counting down. For eighty-one long days, he’d been counting down. “Saw your name on the guest list,” he said. “And it had a plus-one next to it.”
“Yeah,” she said, pulling her ponytail out and letting her hair fall over her shoulders.
“Oh, so you’re going to make me work for it.”
“Work for what?” she asked innocently, and Dave chuckled.
“Who are you bringing?”
“I’d rather not say,” she said.
“Do I know him?”
“Maybe,” she said, which meant yes.
“Is he military or civilian?”
“Is this Twenty Questions? I just said I didn’t want to say who it was.” She glared at him, and the look had enough sting in it for him to realize she really didn’t want to say.
“All right,” he said easily. “Sorry.” He drove toward Hawthorne Harbor, his mood growing worse as the time for him to pull into his garage and spend the evening by himself approached.
“You want to get dinner?” he asked as they came to the outskirts of town.
“Are you asking me out?” Shock filled every word, and Dave flinched.
“No,” he said slowly. “I just…we’ve gotten dinner before.” He glanced at her. “Right?”
“If people see us eating dinner together, they’ll talk,” she said.
“They will not,” he growled. “Mabel Magleby has the whole town in a snit over her wedding.” He glanced left and right and turned toward Audrey’s house instead of downtown where the restaurants were. “And we’ve eaten together before. People know we’re friends.”
“I don’t want anything to come between you and Brooklynn,” she said.
Dave hissed. “There is no me and Brooklynn, Audrey,” he said, suddenly keen to get her out of the car.
“Yes, Dave, there is.” She put her hand on his arm, and he wanted to jerk it away. He didn’t, but he wanted to. “Just go talk to her.”
“I’ve tried talking to her,” he said, the words nearly exploding out of him. “I sent her food. She couldn’t even say thank you.”
Audrey removed her hand and settled back in her seat. “Ah, so she’s what’s eating you.”
“Yes, all right?” He rounded the corner too fast, his emotions making his driving erratic. “She’s what’s eating me.” Had been for weeks now. Months.
He pulled into her driveway, his jaw clenched. “See you tomorrow.”
“Dave—”
“Audrey, I didn’t press you about who you were bringing to the party. Do not test me on this.” He cut her a look out of the corner of his eye.
She held up both hands in a surrendering motion. “Yes, sir.” She got out of the SUV, grabbed her duffle bag from the back, and went inside her house.
Dave sagged in his seat, the fight inside him dying.
He got food on the way home. Ate it alone on the couch. Stared at the little black box he’d placed on the bookcase. Helplessness filled him. If Brooklynn didn’t come to his retirement party, he couldn’t ask her to marry him.
Yes, you can, a little voice inside his mind whispered. She probably wouldn’t like the public spectacle anyway.
But Dave wanted to do something big, something grand, to show her that yes, while he’d retired for him—he’d really done it for her. That he’d do anything to get her back into his life.
His bedtime came early due to his pre-dawn running schedule. He hadn’t texted Brooklynn in a long time, and he flipped his phone over and over, trying to decide if he could now.
Finally deciding he wouldn’t be able to sleep if he didn’t, he sent off a quick message to her.
Just wondering if you got your invite to my retirement dinner and if you’re coming. You need to RSVP to my secretary if you are.
So many if’s. He hated them, and he placed his phone face-down on the nightstand next to him and switched off the lamp.
The next morning, he woke before his alarm, hopeful as he reached for his phone. There were no new texts, and he almost stayed in bed. What was the point of running anymore? He didn’t need to be in peak physical condition for retirement.
Still, he got himself up and dressed and out the door. The waves greeted him cheerily, as they always did. There was something soothing and wonderful about the ocean as it came ashore, and he went through his stretching routine with that music in his ears.
He set off jogging down the beach, the sun already lighting the day into twilight. It would be fully light in a half an hour, and Dave wondered if he’d still get up early to run when he didn’t have to go to work afterward.
Nothing about retirement made sense to him, and without Brooklynn, how in the world could he fill his time?
A figure appeared on the beach ahead, but it didn’t concern Dave. He’d seen dozens of people out walking or running at this time of morning, especially since summer had arrived a month or two ago.
This person didn’t appear to be exercising, though. They threw a ball, and a dog barked and ran into the waves after it, making Dave smile.
The woman sat at the picnic table, not looking at him as he approached. “Come on,” she called to the dog, and he nearly fell down.
He stopped instantly and turned toward that oh-so-familiar voice. “Brooklynn?”
She’d stood and now faced him.
“It is you,” he said, his breath heaving in his chest. His heartbeat continued to sprint around, and he couldn’t seem to get enough blood flow to his brain to make it work.
She picked up a bag from the table where she’d been sitting. “Good morning, Dave.” Her voice painted pictures in his soul, and he wanted to sink into her, hold on tight, and beg her to take him back.
She stepped toward him. Again, and then again, finally extending the bag. “I brought you breakfast.” The dog came running up to her, and it wasn’t one of hers. She bent down and scratched it behind the ears anyway. “I thought maybe you’d sit with me instead of completing your run.”
Straightening, she looked him right in the eyes, and Dave could see all of her trepidation. “You’re on the beach,” he said.
“Because I knew that’s where you’d be.”
“You have a big dog.”
“He’s actually for you.”
Dave didn’t know what to do, or what to think. “What?” came out of his mouth, causing Brooklynn to smile.
Oh, that smile. It was devastatingly beautiful, and while hope pressed against his vocal chords, Dave didn’t dare let it bleed through the rest of him.
Brooklynn stepped closer. Close enough to reach out and touch him, which she did. Just her palm flat against his chest, but still. It felt like a permanent brand, and he was definitely hers if she wanted him.
“This is my RSVP,” she whispered just before stretching up to kiss him.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Brooklynn had anticipated Dave’s confusion. She’d hoped he’d forgive her quickly. She’d prayed he’d let her kiss him.
So when he sighed, his hands immediately finding a place on her waist and pulling her right against him, all her dreams came true. He kiss
ed her like she was the very air he needed to breathe, his mouth a bit rough at first. Then he slowed, and the kiss turned sweet.
“I’m so sorry,” she said against his lips. “I’ve missed you so much.”
He just kissed her again, eradicating any fears she’d had about coming here this morning. Yes, it had been hard to step onto the sand. Heck, even pulling into the parking lot had been hard. But she didn’t want to let Dave get away, and if she had to come to the beach to prove it to him, she would.
In fact, she’d go to the ends of the earth so he’d know she loved him.
“I’m quitting the Coast Guard,” he murmured, moving his lips along her jaw to her neck.
She leaned into his touch, her lungs trying to get enough air to speak. “I got the announcement,” she said, holding onto his broad shoulders.
He pulled back slightly. “So you’re coming to the party.”
“Yes,” she said. “I’ll call your secretary today.” She smiled at him, still feeling a bit timid. “Are you—I mean—did you quit because of me?”
“Yes,” he said simply, his eyes open and honest. “I want—I need you in my life, Brooklynn.”
Tears gathered in her eyes, and they were both happy and sad. “I’m scared,” she whispered. “I don’t want you to regret this decision and resent me for it.”
“I’ve been thinking about retiring for months,” he said, holding her close like he had in the past. “Before we started dating.”
“Really?”
“Really,” he said. “I needed to get to July to complete my twenty-second year.”
“It’s July.”
“That it is.” He grinned down at her. “I can’t believe you came to the beach.”
“I’m not as afraid of the ocean anymore,” she said. “It’s not my greatest fear.”
“What is?”
“Losing you,” she said.
“Sweetheart, you haven’t lost me.” He kissed her again, and Brooklynn marveled at his forgiving heart and generous spirit. Relief and love filled her, and she didn’t remember Titan until the dog barked.
She giggled and pulled away from Dave. “So I got you this dog,” she said. “He’s still a puppy, but he loves to run, and he’ll grow to be a big dog you take on your morning jogs.”
“Yeah?” Dave crouched down in front of the dog. “What’s your name, bud? Huh?”
“Laci and I named him Titan,” Brooklynn said. “She’s been keeping him with her. Getting him trained up for you. He’s your retirement present.”
“Thank you.” Dave straightened, his emotions parading across his face. “He’s great.”
“He’s a golden retriever,” she said.
“I can see that,” Dave said, glancing at the bag on the table behind her. “What’s in the bag?”
“Breakfast.”
“I suppose this is a retirement present too.” His eyes twinkled, and oh, how Brooklynn had missed his playfulness.
“No,” she said. “This was a safety net in case you wouldn’t talk to me.”
“Why wouldn’t I talk to you?” he asked, sobering. “You’re the one who went silent.”
“I know,” she said, her voice weak. “I just needed…I don’t know what I needed.”
“Have you figured it out?”
She shook her head. “Not really. But I don’t think I need to. I want to be with you. So I came here to see if that was possible.”
“I think I’m going to need to see what’s in the bag first.” He folded his arms as if it really mattered, and Brooklynn opened the bag and took out the wrapped sandwich.
If bacon and eggs between two doughnuts could be considered a sandwich. “It’s the Sailor’s Start,” she said, handing it to him.
He took it, his eyes wide. A moment later, he burst out laughing. That glorious, wonderful laughter that filled the world with joy. It certainly filled Brooklynn with joy.
“This was a great back-up plan,” he said, taking a bite. He chewed and swallowed, going quiet as he gazed at her. “But totally unnecessary. If you want me, Brooklynn, I’m yours, and I’ll do everything I can to make you happy.”
“I want you,” she whispered.
“I love you,” he whispered back, kissing her again and making her wonder what she was so worried about.
“This looks okay?” she asked, turning again to see the back of the dress. “Laci, it has to be perfect.”
“It’s perfect,” Julie said. The three of them were crammed into a single dressing room while Brooklynn tried on dress after dress.
“Everyone’s going to be staring at me,” she said, her nerves assaulting her again. “I mean, perfect.”
“It fits like a glove,” Laci said. “And the navy is nice with your hair. Are you wearing it up or down?”
“We’re curling it,” Julie said. “And she’s letting me do her makeup.” She grinned as if she’d been given the best job in the world. Really, Brooklynn had called her in a near panic and blurted, “I need all the help you can give me.”
After all, she bathed and clipped dogs for a living. She didn’t know how to walk in heels, and the last dress she’d bought was for her wedding, years ago. And she couldn’t show up to Dave’s retirement party in satin and lace.
The navy blue dress she wore now did have some lace across the bodice and up over her shoulders. In fact, the entire top above her chest was only lace, with her skin peeking through. The rest of the dress had an underlay that hugged her curves and flared to her knees.
“It’s a pretty dress,” she finally admitted.
“We’re getting it,” Laci said.
“How much is it?” Brooklynn asked, twisting to try to find a tag.
“You forget where you are,” Julie said with a smile. “There are no tags here. I’ll go ask Amanda.” She slipped out of the dressing room, leaving Laci and Brooklynn alone.
“You’re getting it,” Laci said. “I’ll pay for half if I have to.”
“You’re not paying for half,” Brooklynn said. “And I am going to get it.” Giddiness built up inside her. “I feel like I’m going to prom all over again.”
“Same guy too.”
Brooklynn smoothed her hands over her stomach and hips. “I’m a little rounder, but I think in a good way.”
“Dave will think so.” Laci said with a grin. “So get changed and let’s get this. We still have to deal with shoes and jewelry, and I have to go to work this afternoon.”
“You do? I thought that tech worked weekends.” She turned her back on Laci so her sister could help with the zipper.
“Yeah, well, she’s sick, and I told Paul I’d help out.”
“Oh, I see how it is,” Brooklynn said, stepping out of the dress. “You want to kiss your boyfriend and get paid for it.”
Laci laughed, but she didn’t try to refute the statement, which meant it was true.
“So you and Paul are getting along?”
“You realize who you sound like, right?” Laci asked, putting her hand on the doorknob. “Mom.” She ducked out before Brooklynn could argue.
She didn’t have an argument anyway. Horror hit her as she realized her sister was right. “Oh, my heck,” she whispered to her reflection. “I’m my mother.”
Her doorbell rang five minutes before Dave had said he’d pick her up. Brooklynn was ready, and she grabbed her purse from the counter, said, “Be good, puppers,” and opened the front door to the most spectacular sight on the planet.
Her boyfriend, the retiring Coast Guard captain, who wore his official blue uniform, buttoned and pinned properly.
Her breath caught in her throat, and she stilled under his gaze.
“Ready?” he asked.
Still, she couldn’t move. “Ready.” She couldn’t believe she was the one he loved. That she got to spend her life with him.
He smiled at her gently. “Come on, then.” He reached for her hand, and the moment her skin touched his, everything in the world was right.
; He’d told her what the event would be like, so she expected to see various men and women wearing their Coast Guard uniforms. They wore either blue or white, and everyone seemed to know exactly how to make themselves look amazing with limited fashion choices. Brooklynn received several compliments on her dress, and she stayed close to Dave’s side during the mingling portion of the party.
Dinner began, and she sat up at the head table with Dave, his commanding officer over the whole station, and the other captains. The food was delicious, and she was lucky enough to be placed next to another woman who knew how to make small talk look easy.
The commanding officer got up to say a few words about Dave, and the applause for him filled the whole building as if it were thunder.
He was clearly loved. And he loved the Coast Guard so much. Another twinge of guilt hit Brooklynn, something that had been plaguing her since Dave had told her he was retiring so they could be together.
Dave stepped to the microphone, and she managed to push away her guilt. He was a grown man. He could make his own decisions.
“Thank you for being here tonight,” he said, filling the entire room with his charm and charisma. No wonder he could lead a crew into a terrible storm and come out victorious on the other side.
“To my parents, who always supported my military career.” He spoke briefly about them, and how his mother would ask him questions about his various assignments as if she knew what life was like on a cutter, or how the icebreakers worked. It was a touching tribute to his family, and then he turned slightly to her.
“And that brings us to the last thing I’m going to say tonight.” He stepped away from the mic and a man stood from the table directly in front of them to hand him something.
Not just something.
A little black box.
Brooklynn’s heart thrashed in her chest.
“I’m here tonight with my girlfriend,” he said evenly into the microphone. He kept his eyes on the crowd. “She’s the woman of my dreams, and someone I’ve had a crush on for over twenty years.”
A few people in the crowd giggled, and his mother pressed her palm against her heart.
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