by Rachel Hanna
“Well, that way. But yes, about half a mile.”
“Why didn’t you say so? I’ve been worried sick but trying not to be a jerk about it in case you got assigned somewhere really far! You’re gonna be stationed straight across the bay?” He was torn between excitement and irritation.
“It’s complicated,” she admitted sheepishly. “I didn’t want to be ‘that’ girl, bouncing into your office one day and announcing that you’re stuck with me… if that’s not what you wanted.”
“Not what I wanted? Why wouldn’t it be? This is the best news I’ve gotten in a really long time!” he answered, pressing a quick kiss to her lips before crushing her against his chest. “Of course it’s what I want… because you’re what I want.”
“Even if you’re a selfish driver who parks wherever he wants, and I’m an idiot who keeps hitting you with my car door?” she teased.
“Yes on the parking, no on the car door. And you really only hit me that one time. The other time was barreling into me while I was running.” He laughed and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, leading her further down the beach towards home.
“I’m not exactly saying you didn’t deserve either of those things…” she began, then stopped.
“But?”
“No buts. I’m just not saying you didn’t deserve it,” Veronica said haughtily. She screamed with laughter when Jake scooped her up and threw her over his shoulders, heading straight for the water. “Noooo! Don’t you dare! Put me down!”
“Oh, put you down? Okay!” he said all too happily, letting her fall almost to the surface of the water before holding her back up and cradling her close to his chest. “Sorry, I was just doing what you said. I thought you wanted me to put you down.”
“Never,” she answered, turning serious. “Never let go of me.” Jake leaned down and kissed her softly, holding her even tighter.
“Don’t worry, I won’t.”
Copyright © 2016 by Rachel Hanna
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