The bar was crowded for a late Saturday afternoon. The team had fast become regulars and were greeted by a lot of the others. The patrons were mostly vets who liked to shoot first and drink later. BF, aka Baby Face, a double amputee who wielded his wheelchair like a NASCAR driver, owned the firing range and the bar.
BF had introduced himself the first time they hit the range. He looked like Rip Van Winkle with a laugh like the Jolly Green Giant. His greeting had gone a long way to making them feel welcome in their new home.
Even though BF owned the Ugly Mug, Hope ran the bar with the help of Jake and Brian. Merlin hadn’t gotten to know them yet, though he’d seen signs of a hard life when he’d looked into Hope’s eyes. There was a story there, but he’d leave that to Jangles to figure out. His teammate thought he was hiding it, but Merlin had seen him watching Hope while she tended bar.
As Merlin and the team navigated their way to a table at the back of the room, Jangles stopped at the bar and ordered a pitcher of beer and snacks. It hadn’t taken them long to figure out that everything on the simple menu was excellent.
Jangles had emptied the pitcher by the time he’d filled all the mugs, but they’d wait to order a refill when the food came. As soon as Merlin’s butt hit the chair, the interrogation would start.
“Tell us about Gwen and the bookstore,” Woof said as he leaned back in his chair.
Merlin took a swig of beer and tried to figure out what to tell them. It wasn’t like there was a lot to say. He’d only spent a few hours with her. So why did it feel like he’d known her his entire life?
“No holding back,” Zip prodded with a grin.
“I found the store online and figured I’d check it out since I had a day off. Gwen and her family own the store, and that’s about it.”
“No way. There’s got to be more to it, or you wouldn’t give a shit how we act if we went there,” Zip said.
Busted. “Whatever. Gwen’s grandmother is quite the character, and she twisted Gwen’s arm to go for coffee with me.”
“Wait. Her grandmother set you up on a date, and you agreed? No way. The mighty has fallen,” Woof said, his eyes full of disbelief.
“Actually, the quote is, ‘how are the mighty fallen.’ But I haven’t fallen anywhere. I had a cup of coffee and bought a book. That’s all.” Liar. There was more, but only time would tell how far or where it went.
“I can’t believe she went along with the idea,” Woof said. “I mean, you’re okay in the looks department but…”
“Screw you.” Merlin grinned. “She didn’t want to go. Her grandmother wasn’t letting up, and I felt bad for her. I figured the worst that would happen would be a quick cup of coffee with a pretty girl, and I could get out of there. But we ended up hanging out longer than I expected.”
“Ahh, so you like her. When are you going to ask her out again?” Zip asked.
“I had coffee with a woman; it’s not the date of the century. I don’t remember giving you guys a tough time when you started dating.” Merlin finished off his beer.
“He’s right. He didn’t give you guys any shit,” Duff added.
Jake came over with an order of chicken wings and a plate of nachos. “You need anything else?”
“Could we get another pitcher?” Jangles asked. It was the first thing he’d said since sitting down.
He’d been quiet while Woof and Zip had been giving him grief, and that was unlike him. Merlin wondered if the upcoming mission was weighing on him or if something else was going on.
“It sucks you had to cancel your trip to DC, Woof,” Merlin said as he refilled everyone’s mug after Jake brought the new pitcher.
“Yeah, it sucks. But at least Nori didn’t know I was coming, so I’m the only one disappointed.”
“That’s true,” Zip said. “I hate disappointing Des, and she’s coming tomorrow. Hopefully, I’ll still get to spend time with her.”
Women definitely complicated their lives, though the guys didn’t seem to mind. Merlin wondered how Gwen would accept this part of his life. It was one thing to date someone in the military but dating a Delta and never knowing where they were or if they were okay would be like flying blind.
After finishing his second beer, Merlin was ready to go home. He told himself it was to check out his new book, but he wasn’t in the mood to shoot the shit with the guys.
“I’ll see you in the morning,” Merlin said as he dropped a twenty on the table.
“It’s too early to go home, old man,” Jangles said with his usual grin.
“Maybe for you jokers. I want to do some research before tomorrow, and I have a new book to read.”
“Or maybe you want to hook up with Gwen?” Woof said.
“Hooking up? Seriously? How old are you, bro?” Merlin asked with a chuckle. There might have only been a few years between them, but sometimes, he really felt old. Hooking up? Are you kidding me? He wasn’t admitting to anything—especially not his plan to text Gwen when he got home.
After dinner, Gwen poured another glass of pinot grigio and brought it and Robinson Crusoe into the living room. Besides her bedroom, this was her favorite room. She’d decorated both with a palette that reminded her of the seashore.
As she settled on the overstuffed couch, Sir Galahad jumped onto the back and leaned his front paws over her shoulder. Ever since he was a kitten, it had been one of his favorite places to be when she read. There were times she even read aloud to him—or maybe it was for her—but he seemed to enjoy it.
Classical music played softly in the background as she opened the book. There was the first edition in the bookstore, but after she’d adopted Sir Galahad, she stopped bringing them home. As much as she loved him, she knew if the mood struck him, he’d joyfully shred just about anything.
The edition was over a hundred years old. Gwen held it near her face and breathed in. There was nothing like the scent of an old book. If someone could create an essential oil that smelled like old books, she’d be all over that. As she gingerly turned to the first page, she leaned back and rubbed her head against her companion’s fluffy head.
“I’m a total book nerd, aren’t I?”
His answering purr seemed to say, “You sure are.”
Engrossed in the story, Gwen didn’t hear the cell phone when it pinged a half-hour later. If Galahad hadn’t jumped onto the polished mahogany coffee table, she probably wouldn’t have seen the message until the morning.
“Sir Galahad, get down.” As she rescued her phone before he knocked it off the table, she noticed the notification. “Off the table, mister. And thank you for letting me know about the message.”
The fluffy feline answered by lifting his leg and giving himself a bath. The little turd didn’t move until she leaned forward to take him off the table. Then he jumped down and strutted out of the room, most likely to cause trouble somewhere else.
Gwen hoped it was her father’s reply to her email. When she saw Luke’s name, she was almost giddy with happiness. After what he’d said earlier, she hadn’t been sure when she’d hear from him again.
Grams wasn’t wrong when she said Gwen spent too much time at work or home alone. But it wasn’t all her fault. The friends she’d had in college had gotten married and started families.
The last one to move away was her best friend, Belle. After she’d married Clint, they’d moved to Dallas, and six months ago, she had Benji. They stayed in touch with FaceTime, which was better than nothing, but it wasn’t the same as being together, drinking wine, and laughing until their sides hurt.
Luke: Hi. It’s Merlin. The sexy guy who collects books. Hopefully, you didn’t erase me from your contacts.
He was funny and nerdy, and a total alpha. She couldn’t stop smiling.
Gwen: I think I might remember some guy who took me for coffee. If you’re him, I didn’t delete you. Yet. How are you?
While she waited for his answer, she closed the book and laid it on the coffee table since her fuzzy overlord had mo
ved on to somewhere else. She tried to picture Luke. She thought he’d said he had a house, but she’d been so distracted by his eyes and the bulging muscles every time he moved his arms, she had a difficult time remembering the conversation. Was he reading his book? Or lying on the sofa, drinking beer, and watching whatever game was on TV? It was what typical guys did.
Luke: I just got home and finally unwrapped The Life of Merlin. It’s amazing. I can’t wait to read it. How about you?
It was Saturday night, and he was home reading, too?
Gwen thought about how she should answer him. She was so bad at small talk. Should she tell him she’s happy he likes his purchase? Ugh, no, that was way too formal. As she stared at the blinking cursor, sighed, and typed back to him.
Gwen: Wow, long day. I’m sure you’ll love the book. It’s an exceptional story. I’m reading, too.
Hitting send before she changed her mind, she waited for his response. Grams would be laughing at how riled up she was over texting with him. So would Belle.
Luke: I know I will. I’ve read pieces of it online, and it’s been one of my unicorns to own. What are you reading?
Did she want to tell him? He’d told her it was his favorite. Would he think she was trying to play up to him? God, she’d have to call Belle and figure out this small talk stuff.
Gwen: It’s great you can find pieces from old works online. But there’s nothing like holding the original. I’m glad we had it for you.
She sounded like a total dork. Grabbing a pillow from the end of the couch, she buried her face. She was so stupid. Ugh.
Luke: I was, too. It was like fate finding it after all these years.
Gwen: Are there others you are trying to find? If you give me a list, I’ll see if I can get them for you if we don’t already have them.
Luke: Thank you, I’ll make one up. So, do you bring home books to read?
Gwen: Sometimes. But since I adopted my cat, I’m careful about which books come home with me.
Luke: You’re brave bringing any home if you have a cat. They can be little terrorists.
She giggled. “See, Galahad, even without meeting you, he already knows what you’re like.”
Hearing his name, he strutted into the room and jumped onto the windowsill. He swished his orange-striped tail as he stared out the window.
Gwen: Do you have cats?
Luke: No, but my sister and mother do. I move around too much to have a pet.
Did he like them or just tolerate them? Did it matter? With him traveling so much, he wouldn’t be around Galahad much anyway.
Gwen: My cat’s name is Sir Galahad. He’s a fluffy, orange-and-white tabby with “cattitude.” He purrs so loudly I can hear him in the next room.
Luke: I bet it’s great having someone waiting for you when you get home.
It was hard to read into his words or between them since it was just a text, but his answer gave her the impression he was lonely.
Gwen: Most of the time.
Thank goodness, he was good at small talk. If it were up to her, the conversation would have been over after her second response.
Luke: Can I call you? My fat-finger typing is making me crazy. Talking would be better.
As she read his message, she could almost hear his voice, smooth like whiskey. As much as she wanted to talk, the pressure to maintain a real conversation made her palms sweat. For a moment, she contemplated saying no, but Belle would laugh her ass off and tell her to pull up her big girl panties and stop being a wimp.
Luke: It’s no problem. We can keep texting.
Gwen: No, it’s fine. You can call.
Taking a gulp of wine, she stared at the phone, waiting for it to ring. When it rang, she still jumped and almost dropped it. Was she fifteen or almost thirty? She needed to get over herself.
“Hi, Luke.”
“Thanks for letting me call. This is so much better. I hate texting. My guys are used to my shitty typing, but I didn’t want you to think I couldn’t spell.”
“My dad is the same way. Sometimes his emails are so bad I feel like I need a cipher.” Gwen laughed and groaned at the same time. A cipher?
“Well, I’d rather not have to send you a decoder ring.”
“What? I don’t get a prize?” Good one, Gwen. Except she didn’t know where she’d pulled that out from.
“Maybe you will after we get to know each other better.” Merlin’s deep chuckle sent shivers of need through her body. What would it be like to kiss him? To have his lips against hers, to taste him?
“I guess I’ll just have to wait.”
“Does that mean you want to get to know me better?”
She’d left the door wide open, hoping he’d ask. She wanted to get to know him a lot better, learn where he’d gotten the little scar near his eyebrow, what he’d been like when he was little.
“Yeah, I’d like to get to know you better. What about you?” Ugh, Gwen, that’s the best you could come up with?
Luke Forest was sexy personified as well as a gentleman, funny, and he loved old books. It was like fate put her dream man right in front of her and said, “Take him, he’s yours.”
“I already know me pretty well, but I’d love to spend more time with you.”
Thank God he couldn’t see her embarrassment heat her face. It was bad enough that she sounded like a complete dork.
“Yeah, and if you can’t tell, I suck at this. Small talk. I never know what to say.”
“No worries, Gwen. We’ll figure it out as we go along. I liked chatting with you this afternoon. I’d like to do it again, but next time, take you on an actual date. What do you think?”
“I’d like that. Today was fun. I wondered if you’d just been taking pity on me because of Grams.”
“I might have a little in the beginning, but once we started talking, I forgot all about her.”
“That’s good to know. Contrary to how it sounded, I don’t need a pity date.”
“I didn’t think you did. Your grandmother just cares about you. It comes with the territory.”
“True. Do you have one, too?” Gwen cringed. She didn’t want to put him on the spot if he didn’t want to get personal yet.
“Unfortunately, she passed away a few years ago, but my mom more than makes up for it.” Luke chuckled. “I think she’s finally given up on me ever settling down and giving her grandchildren. My sisters took some of that pressure off at least.”
Gwen figured he was career military. From the thin lines around his eyes and the gray at his temples, she guessed he was probably in his mid to late thirties. And he’d said he had no intention of getting married. A pang of disappointment squeezed her heart, and she hoped she could keep it out of her voice. “I understand. I hear it all the time. I’m an only child and only grandchild. How many sisters do you have?”
“Two, Lara and Karen. They’re both married. Lara has a boy and a girl, and Karen has a daughter so far, but she’s pregnant and due in a few months.”
“Wow, a large family. It must be great at the holidays,” Gwen said with a hint of wistfulness in her voice. She’d dreamed of having sisters and brothers when she was young, but her parents had been too busy traveling.
“It is, but I don’t get home often. My schedule is chaotic, and we never know when we’ll need to leave. You’re probably thinking about hanging up and forgetting you met me, aren’t you?”
Gwen smiled even though he couldn’t see it. He was partly right but also not exactly. There was no way she could walk away—not yet anyway. She couldn’t. Not without finding out why he could make her heart turn over with just a smile.
“It crossed my mind. I wondered if you were just looking for a quickie. I may seem naïve, but I’m not. So if that’s what you’re looking for…” If he was only in the market for a one-night stand or even two, she needed to know now.
“I’m sorry if I gave you that impression. It couldn’t be further from my mind. You’re smart, funny, and beautiful. Why would
n’t I want to be around you? I could get all the sex I want in Killeen. Wait, that didn’t come out right at all.”
It was the perfect answer except for that last part. But that made her giggle. She wasn’t the only nervous one. “Okay.”
“Okay? That’s it? You’ll take a chance on me?”
“I will.”
“Excellent. So…what are you doing for lunch tomorrow?”
“You don’t waste any time, do you?” Gwen laughed.
“Nope. You’ll learn that about me. If I want something, I go for it. You have to seize the opportunity when it presents itself.”
“That sounds like a quote from a book.”
“It is a quote, but one of my granddad’s. He lived by it, and I try, too.”
“I think it’s great. Your grandfather sounds like he was an amazing man.”
“He was. I still miss him every day,” Luke said.
“You said you go out of town a lot. I thought the Army sends you on long deployments, like a year or so. Am I wrong?”
“You’re right. And my team gets deployed, too, but sometimes, we just go on special assignments. When that happens, we don’t get a lot of notice.”
Maybe he was in one of those elite special teams. She couldn’t remember them all.
Gwen decided to seize the opportunity, too. “You’re in luck, I am free tomorrow. It’s my one day off. Where do you want to meet?”
“Would you be willing to drive to Killeen? Then after we eat, I can show you my book collection.”
“Is the collection at your house?”
“Yeah, but I promise there really is a collection of books, it’s not code for sex.”
Just because she agreed to lunch didn’t mean she had to go back to his place. They’d just met. She didn’t know anyone in Killeen. What if he was dangerous? Except her gut said it was safe, and he’d shopped in the store. They had his address and credit card information on file. She’d just leave a note for her grandparents in case she disappeared.
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