by Cat Johnson
“Yes.” He imbued the single word with as much sincerity as he was capable of. “You’re one of the few people who actually understands what growing up as George Alexander’s son meant.”
And how much it had messed him up—or drove him to excel and put him where he was today. It all depended how he looked at it. Perhaps Zane owed Georgie a thanks for making him the man he was today.
Her hand paused on the stirrer as she laughed. “Of course, I understand. I’ve grown up as the daughter of Senator Peter Greenwood. But unlike you, I’m still living at home.”
“Proving you’re a stronger person than I am.” He took the sugar pourer Missy had finished using, surprised once again that she hadn’t opted for artificial sweetener like ninety percent of the women he knew would have.
“Me? Strong?” She laughed. “Not really. After all, I am running away to Nigeria just to get some peace.”
“I’m not sure that’s the place to go if it’s peace you’re looking for.”
Running away for a while was fine, he’d done it himself, but Zane wasn’t thrilled with her choice of location.
There was too much unrest, too much going down in that region. Then again, he’d joined the Navy when he’d run away from home. He’d signed up to have people shoot at him for a living, so he really couldn’t criticize her choice. He could only hope the missionaries or whoever ran the school she’d be working at had their shit together and were prepared for whatever might happen. Too many times the do-gooders weren’t prepared.
“My parents won’t be there and that’s good enough for me.” She replaced the lid on her coffee and looked up. “Ready to shop?”
Zane snapped his own lid into place. “Lead the way.”
She took a step toward the exit, before she glanced back over her shoulder. “Prepare yourself. I’m going to need undergarments, as well.”
He laughed as he stopped next to her. “I think I’ll survive a trip to the ladies’ lingerie department.”
“I have no doubt.” She looked him up and down before reaching for the door handle.
This was turning out to be a very interesting date, indeed.
CHAPTER 5
They hadn’t made it more than a few stores down the way, when Zane paused. “Let’s go in here first.”
“Um, okay.” Missy glanced up to see where they were.
Apparently their shopping spree would also include a visit to the pharmacy.
Inside the front door, Zane grabbed a shopping basket and handed it to her. Coffee in one hand, he led the way up and down the aisles, tossing items into the basket she held as they went. Bug spray. Sunscreen. Lip balm, also containing sunscreen.
Finally, they ended in the baby aisle. She frowned as he grabbed for a package of baby wipes.
“What are those for?”
“In case you encounter any sanitation conditions that are less than optimal.”
“Oh.” She hadn’t thought of that.
He tossed in a box of antihistamines. “Take these if you get bit by anything and have a reaction.”
Her eyes widened in horror. “You mean like by a snake?”
His amused grin made him look even more handsome than she’d remembered him being. “I was thinking more of the insect variety. Like bees or spiders.”
That wasn’t much better. “Okay.”
He paused to review the items in the basket. “All right. That’s probably all we need here.”
Zane led the way to the registers in the front of the store. Basket in hand, Missy followed.
While they waited to check out, he glanced down at her. “We should also find you a good hat. You’re fair and it will save your face from burning if you sweat off the sunscreen.”
“Okay.” It was hard to think about sweating when she was wearing a winter coat, but he was right. She was going to Africa.
“That reminds me. Make sure you drink lots of water while you’re there or you’ll dehydrate fast. And if you find yourself not peeing, or if the urine is dark in color, you’re not drinking enough.”
The last thing in the world she’d ever wanted to discuss with Zane Alexander was the color of her pee. Missy cringed. “Okay.”
He dropped his chin to his chest, before looking back up. “I’m sorry. I know this isn’t typical date talk, but it’s important.”
Was this a date? She hadn’t been sure, but apparently he thought it was and she wasn’t going to argue. “It’s okay, Zane. I appreciate all your advice. Really.”
He drew in a breath. “Well, as long as we’re bordering on the inappropriate, we might as well go get you those new underwear.”
“Sure. That would be great.” Missy was now regretting that she’d mentioned that back at the coffee shop.
If this was a date, the last thing she wanted was for Zane to help her pick out practical, and likely hideous, cotton granny panties for her trip. Luckily, her turn to check out came and gave her a moment to recover her composure.
Once the transaction was done, she turned to him. “Where to next?”
He took the plastic bag from her hand. “The sporting goods store.”
“Okay. Lead the way.”
Zane settled his hand on her shoulder. It was only to guide her out the door and in the direction of the store, but the physical contact still had her hyper aware of him. His closeness. His touch. The fact that if he’d touched her like this ten years ago she would have been walking on clouds for a solid week. She was feeling like a teenager as it was.
“I know it’s going to sound crazy, but I’m going to suggest you invest a bit of money on some quality underwear.” When he saw her brows rise, he laughed. “No, I’m not talking La Perla.”
She laughed, not all that surprised Zane knew about high-priced designer ladies’ lingerie. He always had been a ladies’ man, even as a kid. He’d walk around the country club charming females both young and old. She was sure nothing had changed in adulthood. He still had the good looks and body to turn any woman’s head.
Missy was smart enough to know she wasn’t the only one to have had a crush on Zane Alexander.
They’d reached the store and he opened the door for her. “I’m hoping they carry UnderArmor.”
“Armored underwear? Is that necessary?”
Smiling, he shook his head. “It’s a brand most of us wear under our uniforms. Having a good, moisture-wicking first layer that doesn’t chafe is a blessing, I promise you. Athletes and the military have similar requirements for performance wear so a sporting goods store should have what we need.”
Zane obviously was more than just a pretty face. He knew a lot about a whole lot of things. She knew he’d been in the Navy since he’d left home. She just hadn’t considered how many things that might have exposed him to and taught him. Things she should probably know before venturing into unknown territory herself.
Inside the store, Zane surprised her by actually asking for directions to the section they needed. She would have pegged him for the kind of man to wander around for an hour before he’d ask, but no, he’d strode to the front desk the moment they were inside the door.
Now, he stood between a rack of sports bras and one of tank tops “I know this brand is good. I have a couple of shirts made out of it. It’s lightweight and breathable.” Looking a little lost, even if they had found exactly what he’d asked for, he said, “You’ll, uh, have to find your size.”
Amused, she watched him avert his eyes rather than size up her chest. “All righty. Will do.”
This wasn’t awkward at all after the many nights she’d spent lying in bed and wishing the teenage version of Zane would notice her late-blooming chest. Sure. Missy resisted the urge to groan. She flipped through the sizes and grabbed a bra that would fit her, hoping he didn’t see the embarrassing A-cup on the size label.
She located a second one in a different color and said. “Okay, got ’em.”
He dipped his head in a nod and moved to another rack. “Next. Underwear.”
“Great. And look, they even have thongs.” Her cheeks heated as she joked.
Zane laughed. “I’m sorry. I’m sure this has to be the worst date you’ve ever been on.”
There was that word again. Date.
She’d dragged him shopping. It was her own fault she was standing with Zane Alexander choosing underwear.
Missy shook her head. “Not at all. Believe me, I’ve been on some pretty bad dates.”
“How about we have a do-over? After we’re done getting everything you need, I’ll take you to dinner.”
Missy couldn’t stop the smile that bowed her lips. “I’d like that.”
“Great. We’ll plan on it then. As long as I don’t get called back to base, we’re good.” He pulled out his cell phone, checked the screen, and shoved it back into his pocket.
Once she could wrestle her mind off exactly how good Zane looked in his khaki pants that hugged his butt just perfectly, she asked, “They can call you back at night?”
He laughed. “Yes. My job isn’t exactly nine-to-five. I’m always on a one-hour recall with the base.”
Her brows rose. “I didn’t realize. Where’s your base?”
“The Virginia Beach area.”
“We’re farther than an hour drive from there. Especially if there’s traffic—”
“It’s fine. I put in for a few days of personal time. My commander knows where I am, so I have a little leeway, but I’ll still have to go immediately if they need me. So far, I’m in the clear.” He shrugged and glanced at the rack of panties. “Anything strike your fancy?”
Picking panties together. This was a hell of a reunion with the guy she’d loved from the moment she’d hit puberty. After this, and the awkward urine discussion in the drugstore, dinner conversation should be a breeze.
“I think these should be good.” Anxious to be done with this portion of the shopping trip, Missy flipped through and selected half a dozen boy short-style underwear in her size.
Glancing at Zane, she noticed him checking his phone again. She took that opportunity to grab a couple of pairs of the thongs, as well. A girl never knew when she might need them.
CHAPTER 6
“So I was thinking the club for dinner. That all right with you?” Zane glanced at Missy in time to see her cringe. “Or maybe not.”
She shot him a sideways look. “It’s just that I’m sure my parents will be there. Probably yours too.”
That was exactly the point of Zane’s suggestion. He wanted his father to get a good look at him with Missy. A show of good faith before they both signed on the dotted line, like his father had suggested in their meeting.
“Is that a problem?” he asked.
“No, it’s not a problem for me, if it’s not a problem for you.”
Zane felt the reluctance radiating off her but in this situation he intended to take her words at face value. No doubt over her lifetime she’d had about as much of her parents sticking their noses in her personal life as he did. Unfortunately, he was beholden to his father at the moment.
“Not a problem for me at all. I’ll call and make reservations.” For a million dollar investment to make GAPS a reality, he’d put up with having dinner in the fishbowl that was the country club.
“All right.” She watched him pull his cell out of his pocket and hit a few buttons. “You know the number?”
He smiled at her as he punched in the phone number he’d memorized so many years ago. “How could I ever forget it? If I wanted to talk to my parents as a child I had to call the club since that’s where they usually were. Remember, those were the days before everyone carried cell phones. Though you’re young enough, you might not remember that.”
An adorable frown creased her brow. “I remember. I’m not that much younger than you.”
“Five years,” he reminded her as he pressed the phone to his ear.
The five-year age difference when he’d known her before he’d left for college and then the Navy had seemed huge. That was back when she’d been thirteen and he’d been eighteen with a car and an agenda worthy of any guy that age.
Now, the difference was nominal, especially given Missy’s level of maturity.
Zane was impressed and more than relieved she hadn’t turned out to be the spoiled, immature brat he’d feared she’d become from growing up in this kind of environment.
The sophisticated, smart, independent woman before him was a pleasant surprise indeed. He had asked her out under orders from Georgie, and doing anything to please his father left a bad taste in his mouth, but Zane had to admit that after spending some time with Missy he didn’t hate this assignment. Not at all.
After a number of rings, the front desk attendant finally answered, spouting out the country club’s name before saying, “How can I help you?”
“I’d like to make a reservation for two for dinner tonight. The name is Zane Alexander.”
“Yes, sir. What time?”
He should probably change for dinner. The collared, short-sleeved golf shirt he wore would be appropriate for lunch, but not for dinner at the country club.
Good thing he’d thrown a variety of clothing in the bag in the trunk of his car. It was always best to be prepared. He could change in the men’s locker room at the club, but he wasn’t sure what Missy wanted to do. She looked great in that dress, but she might want to change before dinner.
“Um, hold on and let me ask.” Zane covered the phone and said to Missy, “What time should I make the reservation for? Do you need to go home first?”
She glanced down at the blue dress she wore. “I think I’m good. No?”
“I think you’re perfect.”
It had taken all his self-control to keep his eyes on Missy’s face once she’d taken her coat off. The dress fit her like a glove, accentuating Zane’s favorite parts of the female anatomy to perfection.
He pressed the phone back to his ear and said, “I guess six.”
They could head over early and have a drink at the bar, before sitting down to eat an early dinner. He was hungry since he’d skipped lunch.
“That’s a reservation for two at six o’clock. See you then, Mr. Alexander.” The female receptionist confirmed the information.
Being called Mr. Alexander felt strange. He’d been called a variety of things during his last ten years in the Navy, but Mr. Alexander was never one of them. That name was reserved for his father, in Zane’s opinion, but he thanked her anyway and then disconnected the call.
He turned to Missy. “We have a little bit of time yet. Is there anything else we need to get while we’re out?”
After hitting a bunch of stores, they had enough bags filled with her purchases that it took the both of them to carry it all. She should be covered from head to toe, literally, since they’d picked up everything from a hat to boots, with plenty of items for the parts in between, but she was embarking on a three-month adventure the likes of which he was certain she’d never experienced.
He wanted her to feel prepared, but at the same time, not have so much stuff it would be impossible to transport easily. There were times when, in a strange land, a person needed to be light on their feet. Both for normal travel and for emergencies. He hoped to God Missy never experienced the latter.
“Since we have time, I did want to look at some bags. I don’t think there’s anything appropriate at the house. You know, something that will fit everything I need, but that I can carry on my own. I’m not sure where to go to find that here. Maybe back to the sporting goods store?”
Zane smiled as Missy voiced his thoughts almost exactly. “I know right where to go and it won’t take us too far out of our way when we head to the club. Want to follow me in your car?”
“Sure.”
After a short drive, they reached their destination. Zane pulled into the parking lot first. He cut the engine and got out, leaning against the car as Missy parked in the spot next to him.
He opened her car door for her as she gla
nced at the building and then at him. “A military supply store?”
“Yes, ma’am. Say what you want about the modern military, but there’s one thing that hasn’t changed over the years. We end up toting around a whole lot of crap, and that requires some darn good bags to do it. Come on.”
Missy laughed. “All right. I’ve already got military quality underwear. I might as well get the bag to match.”
“There’s the spirit.” He grinned and rested his hand on the small of her back as they walked to the door. He reached to pull the glass door open for her.
Wide eyed, she walked through. “Come here often?”
“Not lately, no. I haven’t been around in so long, I’m actually glad it’s still here.” He led the way down one aisle and to the back wall where the bags were displayed. He paused in front of the selection and glanced down at Missy. “See anything you like?”
“Um, which do you recommend?” She looked understandably overwhelmed.
Zane, on the other hand, was intimately familiar with most of the style bags on display and which bags experience had taught him were the most practical for him. Those, however, might not be the best for Missy. “I’m thinking it will be easier for you to carry two smaller bags than a single big one.”
She nodded. “That makes sense.”
“When I’m not on a mission, I usually use a three day pack and a helmet bag for normal travel. That’s what I’ve got in the car now for this visit. But instead of a helmet bag with short handles, you might want a bag with a single padded shoulder strap you can wear across the body, like that sling-style messenger bag there.” He started looking in earnest at the selection, reaching up to grab a couple of styles so she could see how it felt to carry them. “Good, they have the three day pack in black.”
She laughed. “Basic black, so it will match anything?”
“That’s a side bonus but actually it’s because I don’t want you looking like you’re associated with the military. It can make you a target overseas, so no camouflage. Okay?” He turned to see her expression of concern. “I’m sure it will be fine, but why take chances, right?”