A Very Grumpy Marine (Wolf Valley: Grumps #6)

Chapter 1

ONE

Lymric

“Lilou!” I shout as soon as I step off the escalator and spot my best friend waiting for me by the baggage claim area.

“Lym!” She yells back as she races my way.

We collide together, both of us throwing our arms around the other and squealing.

“It’s been too long,” I whisper, tears stinging my eyes, and she nods against my shoulder.

“Way too long,” she agrees.

When I pull back, I can see tears swimming in her eyes too.

“I missed you.”

“I missed you too. I’m so excited for the next two weeks!” She says as she links her arm through mine, and we head over to the baggage carousel.

I snag my bag and follow her out to her car.

“It’s about a forty-minute drive down to Wolf Valley. Are you hungry? We could stop somewhere on the way,” she says as we climb into her car.

“I could always eat,” I say with a grin and she laughs.

“Burgers, pizza, or tacos?” She asks.

“Pizza.”

She nods, and we pull out of the parking lot and hit the road. We catch up as we make the drive to Wolf Valley, and it’s just like old times.

Lilou and I met in grade school, and we initially bonded over our unique first names. We became fast friends, closer than friends even. We’re like sisters. We did everything together. Vacations, school projects, first jobs.

Then we graduated. Lilou stayed with her grandfather for a few years before she left and moved to Wolf Valley. Me? I went south and wound up in Los Angeles working on movie sets. I got an internship with a film scout when I was twenty and was then hired for my first job after that. I’ve been a location scout for one of the biggest production companies for a few years now, and I love it. I get paid to travel and learn more about different places. I get to experience new foods and cultures. It’s a dream job.

The constant traveling, though, has become a strain, and I’m looking forward to relaxing with my best friend for the next few weeks. I want to do nothing, and I smile as I think about my wish for a boring two-week vacation.

“Mancini’s has the best pizza,” Lilou says as we pull into the parking lot.

“It smells good.”

We head inside, and I look around the little pizza joint. It’s cute with its checkered floors and red vinyl booths. There are kitschy items all over the walls, and I smile as I take it all in.

We slide into one of the booths, and I grab a menu.

“Want to split a Hawaiian?” She asks, and I grin.

“Just like old times.”

A waiter comes over and takes our order, asking us twice before he scribbles down our order on his notepad and heads back to the kitchen.

“I think that we might be the first people to order a Hawaiian pizza here,” I whisper, and she giggles.

“I’m seeing that too.”

“You don’t come here that often?” I ask her.

“Usually, I’m here with friends or Milo, and we get pepperoni or cheese.”

“How boring.”

“I know, right? You’ll have to move here so that I can get my Hawaiian pizza fix more often.”

“It’s tempting,” I tell her honestly.

It would be nice to hang out with Lilou more often and to put down roots somewhere. Maybe even settle down with someone.

“Tell me about Milo!” I say. “How are things between you two?”

“Going great. He’s so perfect, Lymric,” she says with a dreamy sigh.

It’s great seeing my friend so happy and in love. She deserves it, and it sounds like Milo is the perfect man for her.

I wish I had someone, I think as the waiter comes back over with our drinks.

“How’s your grandpa?” I ask her as I take a sip of my Coke.

Her grandpa suffered a heart attack a few weeks ago, and we’ve both been worried about him. Growing up, he was like my grandpa too. I’ve called him a few times, but it’s not the same as seeing him in person. He’s assured me that he’s fine, but I’d like to see that for myself. I’ve already booked myself a ticket to go visit him after I leave Wolf Valley.

“He’s doing better. We’re looking into assisted living communities up here so that we can be closer together.”

“Do you need any help with that? I can do some research or help you tour them,” I offer.

“We’ve got it narrowed down to a few. It’s going to be more about which one has availability now.”

“It will be great for him to be closer to you.”

“Yeah, I can’t wait,” she says excitedly.

“How’s your mom?” I ask carefully, and Lilou frowns.

“Wouldn’t know. Haven’t talked to her since she called to tell me about my grandpa being in the hospital.”

“That’s probably for the best,” I sigh, and she nods.

“Definitely.”

Our pizza is brought over, and we both dig in. Lilou asks me about where I’ve been to recently, and I tell her about scouting a new location for a reality survival show in South America.

“I ate tacos like every day, and they were so good,” I tell her with a laugh as we finish up the pizza.

“My treat,” Lilou insists as she grabs the bill.

“I’ll get breakfast tomorrow.”

“I actually have to work for a few hours tomorrow morning. I should be back before lunch, though, so we can go out then.”

“Sounds good. I’ll have to explore the town a bit. Or maybe sleep in.”

“I vote sleep in!” Lilou says with a laugh as we stand and head out.

“That does sound nice,” I sigh.

“Milo’s place isn’t that far from here. Are you sure that you’re okay to stay there by yourself?” She asks as we pull out of the Mancini parking lot.

“Yeah, it’s fine. I’ve seen your apartment, and I’m surprised that you and Milo can both fit in it,” I tease her.

“It’s not that small!” She protests, and I snicker.

“It is.”

She rolls her eyes, and I look out the window as we drive through town.

“We’re looking for a bigger place,” she admits, and I smirk.

“Anything would be bigger.”

“Oh, shut up!” She says with a laugh.

We turn onto a dirt road, and she slows as a cute one-story log cabin comes into view.

“This is it,” she announces.

“It looks nice! You guys should live here instead,” I say as we climb out of the car.

“It’s too far from town and my work. Plus, it’s not really that much bigger.”

I grab my bags, and we head up to the front door. She unlocks it, and we head inside. I set my bags down in the living room and Lilou turns to me and hands me the keys.

Her phone starts to ring, and I can tell by the smile on her face that it’s her fiancé, Milo.

“You go see him. I’m going to unpack and take a nice long shower,” I tell her.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, it’s been a long day of traveling. I’m beat.”

“Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow then. Text me if you need anything!”

“I will,” I promise her.

She hugs me, squeezing me extra tight, and I grin against her shoulder.

“See you tomorrow.”

“Night!” She calls as she heads out, and I lock up once she’s gone and then go explore my temporary home.

It doesn’t take long to get unpacked, and I race through a shower and then collapse into bed. I’m out before my head can hit the pillow.