by KaLyn Cooper
The door hadn’t even shut behind them when Lisa grabbed Caroline’s left hand and held it in the air. The bright lights threw rainbow dots onto the black walls from the brilliant-cut, one-carat diamond solitaire.
“What the fuck? You get engaged and don’t call us?”
“I meant to, maybe even go out for drinks, but you were gone on maneuvers.” Caroline considered that for a second. “How did you find out?”
Sarah answered. “The whole wing is talking about you. The CO is running so scared he had all the women attend sexual harassment classes with some feminist commander out of the Pentagon, and the men got a lecture from the JAG officer.”
Chloe piped in. “You’re the hottest topic in the Ready Room. Is it true they offered you a transfer to Pensacola to be a flight instructor?”
Caroline smiled. “Yes. They did. I’d been selected before all the shit with Robert happened, so they withheld the orders. Once I was cleared, you’d have thought I was their favorite daughter the way they preened over the fact that one of theirs had been selected. Hypocritical fuckers. I turned it down.” She watched their jaws drop and eyes grow large in the bright lights of the restroom. Every pilot strived for that job, and she’d told the captain, “thanks, but no thanks.”
“You’re going to throw away your whole career because of that dick cheese Robert?” Lisa shook her head. “You worked so hard to—”
“No!” Caroline cut in. “I’m not leaving because of his shit. I made this decision. I’m going to fly magnificent Cessnas around the Caribbean whenever I want, and dive my ass off, and sleep every night with the most wonderful man in the world. I’m not throwing away a career. I’m leaving a job I took because of my father, one I never really liked. I fulfilled my commitment to the Navy for educating me at Academy and teaching me to fly. I served my country in wartime. Now I’m going to do something for me.”
“Robert has been relieved from duty while he’s being investigated,” Sarah stated.
“I heard wifey-poo was majorly pissed when she was questioned about their sex life.” Lisa had to bite her lips to hold in the grin. “How did you get them to believe you were not the pursuer?”
Caroline held up her phone. “Did you know text messages are admissible in court?”
“They allowed the ones we posted on Facebook?” Sarah asked.
“No. But the text messages he sent to me after we all returned to San Diego— when he was married—were taken directly off my phone by NCIS. Those were given to the captain.” And she had threatened to take them to the press as an example of how the Navy turns a blind eye on sexual harassment of women, if the allegations against her weren’t dropped immediately.
Booming music preceded two, very drunk young women into the bathroom.
“I’m gonna puke,” one mumbled before she dashed into a stall.
“I’m leaving on that pronouncement.” Lisa turned and hurriedly led the others out the door. She slung an arm around Caroline’s waist and leaned in so as to be heard over the throbbing music. “I’m thrilled for you and Luke. He is a great guy.”
From the other side, Chloe gave her a one-armed hug. “When we get back, we’re taking you barhopping to celebrate your engagement.”
Sarah yelled over at her, “I’m not wearing my uniform as a bridesmaid dress, and you’d better pick something I can wear to this club afterward.”
Caroline laughed. “Rather presumptuous of you. I haven’t asked you to be a bridesmaid yet.”
“Well, we are in your wedding. Get that straight now,” Lisa stated as if she were in charge. “And I agree. No uniforms or ugly dresses.” She looked at the others. “We’ll pick out our own. You’re not good at the shopping thing.”
“Yes, you are all in my wedding,” Caroline stated. “To be honest, I don’t care what you wear as long as you’re there.” She had confidence they’d pick appropriate clothes because they were right. She wasn’t good at shopping, although she was getting better with every trip.
Terry and Craig had arrived by the time they returned to their table, as had their drinks. Paired off once again, Caroline snuggled her back into Luke’s chest.
He leaned over her shoulder. “Everything okay?”
The heat from his warm breath on her ear sent a wave of shivers through her body, congregating at her clit. She wanted him again, even though they’d spent most of the last two days in bed.
“Everything is perfect.”
Josh returned to the table, sliding his phone into a pocket. “My apologies. My boss keeps me busy twenty-four-seven, no matter where I am in the world.”
“I thought you were retired, si…Josh.” Luke caught himself.
“I retired from the Navy, but I’m still serving our country.” He looked down the table at Jeff before returning his gaze to them. “I work for Homeland Security, Border Patrol.”
The shock that flashed across Jeff’s face was as though Josh had revealed a state secret. He quickly schooled his features. “Let’s dance.” Taking Chloe’s hand, he stood and led her to the crowded floor. The other two couples followed.
“Want to dance?” Luke asked.
Caroline looked at Josh, who would be all alone if they left, and her years of congeniality kicked in. “Not right now.”
She was about to ask Josh a question when his gaze swung to her right. She turned as Jack approached with Jillian on one side and a gorgeous woman with shoulder-length black hair on the other. Her slinky red dress came to just above her knees and clung to every one of her mature curves. It wasn’t revealing by any means but was definitely sexy. Class and confidence exuded from every pore as she strode to the table.
The chair next to Caroline’s scraped over the tile floor as Josh stood. He appeared mesmerized by the new arrival.
Jack turned to the woman and began the introductions, “Lilly, I’d like you to meet Josh “Madman” Madden, my former commanding officer. Josh, this is my sister Lilly.”
She extended her hand in a very professional manner, looking him in the eyes with a practiced smile, as though she was accustomed to meeting men. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Josh took and simply held her hand between both of his. “The pleasure is all mine, I assure you.”
The two stood, eyes locked on each other for a long moment, neither moving nor speaking.
Jack glanced over to where Caroline and Luke now stood and shrugged. His gaze turned to Jillian and a warm smile spread across his face. “Would my soon-to-be-wife like to dance?”
“Always.” Jillian beamed up at him.
“How about we leave them alone,” Luke suggested and started toward the packed floor, glancing up at the DJ, who nodded. The music magically changed to a slow song.
“I want to dance with my fiancée, who I wish would decide on a date so I could make her my wife…soon.” He stopped in a small gap between couples and pulled her to him.
She wound her arms around his neck and smiled up at him. Yes, she wanted it to be soon. “The first Saturday in August. At sunset. Right here on the beach in front of Mayan Nites. Everyone in club clothes.”
Luke stopped moving. “Are you serious?”
“Yes.”
He picked her off her feet and twirled her in a circle. “I love you!” he said when he stopped. His kiss was so gentle she melted into him.
“I love you too.” She squeezed her body to his then leaned back. “Do you think we could rent a palapa for the honeymoon?”
The End
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About the Author
KaLyn Cooper writes romantic suspense based in fact. Twenty-seven years as a military wife has shown her the world and the men and women who protect it every day. Thirty years in PR taug
ht her fact can be stranger than fiction, but leaves it up to the reader to separate truth from imagination. She and her husband live in Tennessee on their micro-plantation filled with gardens, cattle, quail, and a bird dog. When she’s not writing, she’s at the shooting range or on the river. www.KaLynCooper.com
Read more at KaLyn Cooper’s site.
Don't miss out!
Click the button below and you can sign up to receive emails whenever KaLyn Cooper publishes a new book. There's no charge and no obligation.
https://books2read.com/r/B-A-TOCD-XBZJ
Connecting independent readers to independent writers.
About the Author
KaLyn Cooper writes romantic suspense based in fact. Twenty-seven years as a military wife has shown her the world and the men and women who protect it every day. Thirty years in PR taught her fact can be stranger than fiction, but leaves it up to the reader to separate truth from imagination. She and her husband live in Tennessee on their micro-plantation filled with gardens, cattle, quail, and a bird dog. When she’s not writing, she’s at the shooting range or on the river. www.KaLynCooper.com
Read more at KaLyn Cooper’s site.