Matched (Navy Seals of Little Creek Book 2)

by Paris Wynters

  “Hi, this is Inara.” I search my brain for more to say, but if he’s calling, I should probably just listen to him.

  “Hi, I’m Felix.” His voice rises in pitch and I sigh, releasing the tension in my shoulders.

  “Hi, Felix.” My voice squeaks and I start pacing around the living room, regretting taking this call. I don’t know how much he knows about Tony and my marriage, and also, I sound like a total dork. I pull a piece of hair from behind my ear and twist it around my finger. “Tony’s in the shower right now. He was dirty from helping me and my stepdad build houses. I was worried something was wrong, so I answered his phone.” I must be nervous because I’m blurting out more information than needed.

  “Good. Put that man to work. He’s got the construction degree, so he might as well be useful while he’s there.” He laughs and the sound echoes. It’s the same kind of belly-deep laugh that Tony has, and I smile widely.

  His laugh causes me to chuckle as well. “Oh yes, I am definitely putting him to good use.” In more ways than one. Not that I plan on sharing that info with his dad. “Did you need me to tell him something?”

  There’s a silence on the other end of the phone. Then he sighs. “No, no message. I was just hoping to reach him. I haven’t talked to him in a while and there are some things I would like to discuss with him.”

  I move back and forth in the living room. The sound of his voice causes my heart to sink. He doesn’t sound as cheery as he did a minute ago. “Oh, okay, well I will definitely tell him you called.” I don’t know what else to say. My chest aches hearing the man sound so upset and knowing he and Tony haven’t been close. I turn toward the bookshelf in the living room and start rearranging some of the books. I have so many nature guides for the local area that I’ve been meaning to organize. My body relaxes as I move them around, now that I’ve found something to keep my hands occupied while we speak. “He’s said some really nice things about you. How dedicated you are to Zumba.”

  “Did he say that, really?” His voice sounds almost musical, soothing and almost familiar. “He’s a good man. So, I take it you and my son are dating?”

  A book slips from my hand and thuds to the floor. “Uh, dating?”

  I give a fake little laugh while I turn to glare daggers in the direction of my bathroom. What the hell? Tony hasn’t told his family he got married? Sure, my mom found out by accident, but that was a day after we’d officially gotten married. Not months. What am I supposed to say now? One thing’s for sure. I’m not going to lie. “What exactly has Tony told you about me?”

  This time Felix is the one who hesitates. “Oh, well . . .” He clears his throat. “You know . . . we don’t talk much. Hardly ever.”

  So, nothing. Tony and I have been married all this time, and yet until this moment, his dad didn’t even know I existed. My lips press together into a tight line as my nostrils flare. And while I try hard to contain the frustration boiling in me, it’s too late. “I’m Tony’s wife.”

  Silence greets me from the other end of the line.

  “Hello? You still there?” I slap my palm to my forehead. Not the best tone to use to have blurted out my husband’s relationship status. And I wouldn’t blame the poor man for hanging up either.

  “I’m sorry. Yes, I’m here. Just, wow. Tony married, how about that? Congratulations to you both. I’m very happy for you.” Despite the shock he’d just received, his voice is warm and welcoming.

  “Thank you, and sorry. I shouldn’t have yelled the information at you and probably should’ve let Tony fill you in.” I pick up the book and place it back on the shelf.

  “No, no, I’m glad you told me. Like I said, Tony and I aren’t as close as we used to be. It’s been a while since we’ve had a nice long talk.”

  “Tony can get pretty busy with his job and, well, our marriage, it all happened so fast.” If my husband didn’t tell his father he got married, sure enough Tony didn’t fill the man in on the program either. Not to mention, Mami doesn’t know all the details either so it wouldn’t be fair for me to spill all the beans.

  “Ah, love at first sight, eh? I know how that is.”

  I suppress a slightly hysterical giggle when I think back to the hospital, where Tony tried to pick both me and the nurse up with the same terrible line. More like irritation at first sight. We’d come a long way since then. Or at least, I thought we had.

  “I’m glad Tony finally found someone to settle down with. I just wish he would have been comfortable enough to tell me. My only son got married. You know, it’s not something that happens every day. I would have liked to have been there.”

  I move over to the couch and sink into it. My stomach knots at the thought of our parents being robbed of a wedding day. For our parents not to be there must have really hurt them. I lean back into the couch and stare at the ceiling. Balancing the phone between my ear and shoulder, I reach back and bunch up my hair into a bun. “I know it’s no consolation, but no one knew ahead of time. Not even my mother.”

  “Things happen, no need to be sorry. And just between you and me, I think he still hasn’t dealt with his mother’s death and I’m too much of a reminder. He’s told me many times how it pains him to talk to me, to us.” Tony’s dad pauses before continuing. “I tried to get him to help me with a fundraiser I have planned, but he isn’t giving me a clear answer.”

  I think about our night in bed when Tony told me all about the fundraiser. It could be a great way for him to reconnect with his family. “Tony mentioned the fundraiser, the Zumba one, right?”

  “Yes, that one. I’d like to do it in your area so I can ensure Tony will be there, but I don’t have a place yet.” His voice has a hint of hope, but it also sounds like he’s building to something. Like he’s looking for help.

  I push back my hesitation and take a chance for the sake of Tony and his dad. “I work at a place called Shaken & Stirred. Our restaurant is great at hosting all kinds of events. Our kitchen can accommodate most sizes and they make great party foods.”

  “That sounds perfect. I hate to be a bother, but could you give me contact info? Maybe the name of someone who will help me set it up?” The crinkle of shuffling paper comes through the phone as if he’s looking for a piece to take some notes down.

  “Please let me help. Give me the date and some details and I’ll book it for you. It’s a wonderful thing you are doing in honor of your wife. She’d be very proud.” A warmth blossoms in my chest and spreads through my body. If only I could share a love like that one day. Find a man whose love for me never wavers, even after I leave this earth.

  Tony’s dad relays some necessary details and, as I take them down, I don’t know if I’m more excited or nervous about stepping in. I just hope that my assisting doesn’t cause me to lose any ground I’ve gained in my relationship with Tony. “I’ll have my manager call you to firm up all the details.”

  “Thank you, Inara.” He pauses for a moment, then continues. “And if I could just ask one more thing?”

  “What is it?”

  “Could you please tell Tony what we talked about? I think he will take it better coming from you.”

  I’m not sure I totally agree, but there’s no turning back now. I just have to find the perfect time to broach the subject. “I’ll take care of it. It sounds like a great event, and I’m sure Tony will come around and be supportive.”

  “I really appreciate that. And of course, I can’t wait to meet my new daughter-in-law.”

  The corners of my mouth lift into a stupid grin at the term daughter-in-law. There’s something about belonging to another family that makes me giddy. A part of being married I hadn’t thought of. Come to think of it, I have four new sisters I haven’t met. “Well, I can’t wait to meet you and the rest of the family.”

  “I will let you get back to your day now. It has been very nice talking to you. I hope to meet you soon.” Every word is clear with a hint of sweetness behind it. Then the line disconnects.

 
But now that the room is quiet once again, my stomach drops as if I’m on the largest rollercoaster ride. What have I done? I swallow hard and hope Tony will forgive me and that he comes to understand I was just trying to help, even if it stings a little at first.

  My potential freak-out turns to sadness. I can’t fully understand what it’s like losing a parent because of death, but from what I’ve gathered, I don’t think my husband has had closure on the subject, which means he’s still suffering and will continue to do so until he takes that step. If he doesn’t learn to process it and work through the loss, that cloud will haunt him for a long time.

  I check in on Simon and then settle back on the couch. Tomorrow is Little Creek’s annual barbecue and is my first time going. With everyone there, Tony will be in a great mood, and probably more receptive to me filling him in on the fundraiser. I catch my gaze in the mirror by the front door and try to convince myself it’s not a move right out of I Love Lucy, and that I haven’t overstepped. I mean his dad was going to have the fundraiser here anyway, so I was only being polite by helping him out. Still, I did agree to help convince my husband to go. I just believe that if he doesn’t, he’ll regret he missed out on an important family event. There are some moments you can never get back, like not having our parents witnessing us getting married.

  I stand and head to the kitchen, picturing myself telling Tony tomorrow. But my mind can’t seem to conjure him up with a smile, dammit. If he gets mad, then I’ll put on my big-girl panties and deal with it.

  I open the fridge and my cheeks inflate. That’s it. Tony mentioned in passing once how much he loved his mother’s empanadas. How he used to make them but stopped a long time ago. He told me that before he opened up about how his mom died, which leads me to believe that he stopped making them after she passed away. If I could convince him to make them again, wouldn’t that be a step toward healing?

  I lean down and check all the drawers before moving on to the freezer. I grab my phone and start a list. I’m going to convince Tony to do an empanada cook-off. I’ll make some, he’ll make some. We’ll share them with everyone at the barbecue. I know mine are supreme, but I can hold back and even tell everyone to vote for his. I’ll need to pull this together fast and get Tony on board. I bet my mom will even chime in at dinner. She loves that he cooks.

  I’ve got a shopping trip to make between now and the barbecue, but at least my mind is at ease. Between good times with his friends and a little ego stroke for his cooking, Tony will be primed for me, and I have the best chance to pull this off.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Tony

  I haven’t cooked an empanada in years, but when Inara suggested making them, a warmth spread over me. And when she said we should turn it into a competition, a fire lit in me and I became excited. Especially if it means I’ll show my wife once and for all who the kick-ass cook is in this relationship. Plus, I can cook my mom’s recipe in my sleep, even if I have been out of practice.

  Inara pops her head into the kitchen like a spy as I grab a fistful of garlic. My hand pauses above the bowl and my eyes narrow. “Hey, ya cheater, what do you want?”

  The guilty smile on her face is so sexy I’m almost tempted to throw her down on the table, right here on top of all these ingredients. She flicks her hand casually in the air. “Just seeing how you’re doing. I can give you a hand if you need it.”

  I’d been asleep when she cooked her batch. She’d agreed to be the one to get up early and use the kitchen first since this whole thing was her idea. I glance down at my crotch, my hands out to the side, one holding garlic, the other still sticky from onion. “Actually, I could use your hand right about now. You look hot in that sundress.” I have yet to recover from the last time she wore a sundress, a fantasy fodder for years to come.

  “I don’t think so. I don’t need any excuses from you when I win.” She waves and heads down the hall to change clothes.

  “Keep dreaming, wifey!” With a smile on my face, I continue working. As nervous as I am about making empanadas again, this is nice. Maybe next time, Inara and I can make them together. When we’re in the kitchen together, we move around in a way that’s exciting. Every soft touch is a turn-on. Every snarky comment is like foreplay. We make a great team, and more than that, I just have fun with her. That, combined with the fact that sex together is explosive, makes me incredibly lucky to have been matched with her.

  I glance over at my phone to check the time. My brows pinch together when I think about the ring order saved in the browser history. Inara hasn’t mentioned anything about the piece of jewelry since the first time she made the request. Has she forgotten about it?

  Shaking my head to clear out the distractions, I finish cooking, then clean up. The doorbell rings as I’m wiping down the counter, so I toss the dishtowel aside and head over to send whatever salesman is on our porch on his merry way. But when I open the door, it’s not a salesman standing there. Or if it is one, he’s definitely decided to dress down. He’s a fifty-something guy wearing a pair of faded jeans with holes in the knees and a T-shirt that reads Nope.

  I fold my arms across my chest and broaden my stance. “Can I help you?”

  “Is Inara here?” The man leans over and tries to peer beyond my shoulder into the house.

  My hackles rise. I step outside onto the porch and close the door firmly behind me, forcing him to take a step back. “I’m sorry, she can’t come to the door. If you leave your name, I can tell her you stopped by.”

  The guy snorts as he eyes me up and down. “How about you give me your name? You been staying over a lot?”

  Now I’m getting pissed. My eyes narrow on his ratlike face while I draw myself up to my full height. “Seeing as how I’m her husband and all, yeah. I’ve been staying over a lot. So, kindly tell me who the fuck you are and what business it is of yours, or please get off my porch.”

  He takes another hasty step back while his eyebrows shoot up. “Whoa now. This is just a misunderstanding. I’m Leiland Rivers, Inara’s landlord. I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop by. After all her arguing and whining, she’s been making her increased rent no problem these past few months. Guess now I know why.”

  Something resembling a growl rumbles up my throat, but I swallow it. This is Inara’s landlord and while, granted, he’s clearly a giant prick, we still have to deal with him. I tap my chin. “Huh, and here I was under the impression that landlords had to give notice for any visits or inspections, except in cases of emergencies.” Then I smile and stick out my hand. “Oh, and excuse my manners. I’m Anthony Martinez, United States Navy. Nice to meet you.”

  Inara’s landlord’s Adam’s apple bobs in his scrawny throat. He gives me the world’s quickest handshake, yanking his hand away like he thinks I might crush it. “Sorry to bother you, hope you have a nice day. Tell Inara to add you to the lease at her earliest convenience. Oh, and congratulations.”

  I wait on the porch, arms crossed, as he gets into his car. What a gross little man. I hate the idea of Inara having to deal with him. But at least the guy had the sense not to cause an issue today. Most landlords don’t cause problems where service members are concerned, grateful both Oceana and Little Creek bring them tenants. And now that Inara’s landlord knows who she’s married to, hopefully he will back off.

  When his taillights disappear, I step inside and close the door, making sure to lock it behind me, then return to cleaning the kitchen. I don’t bother mentioning his visit to my wife when I go to take a shower and change because nothing is going to ruin today.

  Two hours later, we pull into Little Creek, skirt the edge of Lake Bradford, and park at the edge of SEAL Park. All the familiar faces are here. Jim’s leaning on a tree near the water, talking to Craiger. Marge and Taya have commandeered one of the picnic tables under the wooden pavilion and are snacking on some chips. This is my family.

  Inara and I each grab our pans and head toward the table where Bear has joined Taya and Marge. Th
e sweet and spicy aroma of beef wafts over from one of the park’s nearby grills, making my stomach growl. We set our food on the warmers Marge had agreed to bring—mine on one table and Inara’s on the other—and then head back to the car for more stuff.

  Once we’re done unloading, Taya comes over and starts undoing the foil covers. “Everyone is starving. I wouldn’t let them eat, so hurry your asses up.”

  Inara smacks her friend’s hand away. “Don’t worry. I will satisfy everyone’s hunger soon.”

  My brow cocks in her direction. “Think again. I’m the one who’s going to kill it.”

  Inara holds a hand up at me. “Don’t get too cocky. I made a mean chicken empanada.”

  Behind her a soft ooohhh comes from Taya, and I can’t help but laugh. This is going to be a lot of fun. When my wife is finished setting up, she turns to face me. “Should we make it a blind taste test?”

  Taya snorts. “With this opinionated crowd? Not necessary. Besides, you’re more likely to win if people know whose is whose. Tony’s annoyed more than his fair share of folks.”

  I pretend to sputter. “Hey, now. I heard that.”

  Taya winks at me before addressing the crowd. She stands between Inara and me as she talks to everyone around us. “Okay, so the rules are simple. We get to chow down and then we vote for a winner. The person with the most votes wins. Am I clear?”

  “Perfectly clear,” Inara responds.

  “One hundred percent,” I say.

  “Then let’s eat!” Taya shouts.

  As everyone starts grabbing empanadas and piling other food on their plates, I stand off to the side and study peoples’ reactions as they take their first bites. No one balks, but I can’t really decipher who is enjoying which batch more. Of course, Bear is standing with a plate full of food, but he’s still talking, so I head off toward him. Of course, he’s droning on about Leslie’s costume plans for Halloween and what they’ll be dressing up as, and all I want to do is pick up and empanada and shove it into that big hole he calls a mouth.