Chapter 2 #2
Sev watched her as she nibbled delicately on her lip, and then suddenly still. It was the instant that she’d made up her mind.
When she looked directly at him and lifted her hand into his, he knew he had her.
Sev watched Kelsey dive into the plate of fish and chips, unlike any woman before.
She danced silently in her seat, contemplating with delight the meal in front of her as her fork hovered over each portion in indecision.
When she finally selected a good chunk of fish to dip into the plastic tartar sauce cup, raising it to her lips and not hesitating to gobble down the bite, he was pretty sure he fell in love with her right there.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone enjoy food more than you.”
Kelsey stopped mid-chew, the food poking her cheek as her eyebrows crinkled back at him. “What?”
Sev laughed in response. “Please don’t take this the wrong way,” he said, figuring he knew better than to comment on a woman’s eating habits, but things just felt different with Kelsey.
Like he could be honest with her and somehow, she’d understand.
“But I’ve been sitting across from women who nibble on a lettuce leaf and claim they’re full.
It’s… refreshing to have an actual meal with someone who clearly likes food. ”
“I was raised by a single dad,” she began, swallowing. “He tried to instill manners in me, but I’m afraid when push came to shove, it was his Navy training that really took hold.”
“Really?” he asked, loving the fact that she was Navy.
“Mmm-hmm,” she said, chewing another mouthful down. “He and his buddies taught me the value of getting a good meal in quickly. I can also complete a shower in under two minutes if I have to.”
“Impressive,” he praised. He could still remember the stench of his division in boot camp as everyone there tried to nail that particular skill down. “I was raised by a single mom, so I get the idea of an unusual upbringing.”
“No kidding?” she asked, completely engaged in the conversation. Sev liked having her full attention. “Was it just you and her?”
“Me, her, and my little brother, Andy. He was a handful.” Sev laughed. “Then she met my stepdad and his son when I was seven, and the rest was history.”
“That’s amazing,” she said, digging her fork into the cup of coleslaw on the side. “I’ve often wondered what it’s like to be part of a big family like that.”
“We were lucky,” he said. “My stepdad’s a great guy, and his son and my little brother were the same age, so they became best friends almost instantly.”
“Oh, but still,” she said, her face reading sadness. “There wasn’t anyone there for you to latch onto.”
“Don’t worry about that,” he said, reaching for a fry. “My little sister was born just after they got married. We’re a bit apart in age, but she became mine, too, the day she was born. She’s my ride or die.”
Kelsey looked at him with fondness in her eyes. “How old is she?”
“She just started high school.”
Her mouth dropped open. “A teenager? Oh, my gosh, you weren’t kidding that there was an age gap.”
“Nope.” Sev found himself laughing again while shaking his head at his newfound companion. He couldn’t get over how fun she was, making him wonder why on earth she’d been brought into his life just days before he had to leave. It was ironic, for sure.
Even so, if he had only one date with her, it was still worth it.
Speaking of… “So when was the last time your fiancé brought you flowers?”
Kelsey’s face darkened as her expression went from happy to passive. She took her time as she chewed, almost as if she were mulling things over in her head. “He sent me some for my birthday. Just before we started school back at the start of September.”
“Nah, that doesn’t count,” Sev said, shaking his head. “What I mean is, when was the last time he showed up with a bouquet in hand?”
“I don’t think he’s ever done that,” she said.
“That’s a red flag,” Sev said. “If a guy doesn’t show up with flowers, don’t bother opening the door. He didn’t think it through and isn’t trying hard enough.”
“Well, you’re the one who proposed this date,” Kelsey teased. “Where are your flowers?”
“Hmmm, good point,” he said, his head swiveling as he searched the room. Setting his eyes on a stack of yellow fliers toward the end of the bar, he stood up, pinched a few off the top, and brought them back over.
“What are you doing with those?” she asked as he began folding them, dragging his nail across the folds.
“Never you mind,” he said, nodding his head behind her as Carter approached them.
“Can I get you lovebirds anything else?” he asked, resting his hand on the back of Kelsey’s chair. He winked, making Sev want to burst out in laughter. Carter always brought his A game.
“I think we’re good,” Kelsey said, smiling up at him. “Thank you.”
“If you need anything else, just holler for me, gorgeous.”
“We will, Carter,” Sev said, doing his best to shoo the young man off. Kelsey chuckled as Carter gave him a grumpy look back and gave her one more suave wink before he sauntered off again. “You have to excuse him. His parents own the bar, so they’re obligated to put him to work.”
“Yeah, I think I got that when he came out and caught them kissing.” Kelsey chuckled as she looked down, amazed at the two perfectly formed origami roses sitting next to the pile of fliers. “Did you—did you just make those?”
“Nah,” he teased, taking a page from Carter’s book and giving her a quick wink. “They were here the whole time.”
“Oh my gosh, would you stop,” she said, smacking his arm across the table, eliciting a fake yelp out of him before they dissolved into laughter.
It took only moments for him to finish the third rose, and he slid the three over to her in offering.
“They’re beautiful, thank you,” she said, as if he’d given her a massive bouquet. “Although I feel like I should be thanking your girlfriend, who obviously put such care into training you.”
“That your way of asking me if I’m seeing someone, Kels?” He smiled back at her and reached for her hand.
Even though the look she gave him suggested she felt like she was caught in a trap, he could almost hear her sigh as his fingers wrapped around hers.
“No, I don’t have a girlfriend. If I did, I wouldn’t be doing this with you. I’m not that guy.”
“Good to know.” Her gaze grew distant, just before she slammed her eyes shut and shook her head, as if she were bringing herself back to the present. “So why don’t you?”
“Why don’t I… what?”
“Have a girlfriend,” she said. “You’re good-looking, loyal. Clearly, you’ve put some thought into dating. Why no special someone?”
“My job,” he answered, interweaving his fingers with hers and letting the movement draw his gaze. “The Navy moves me around a lot, and I’m called away for weeks at a time. It’s not great for relationships.”
“Ah-ha!” she said, crinkling her nose. “I knew you were in the Navy.”
“What gave that away?” he asked, seemingly interested to know, and also realizing it was probably blatantly obvious.
“Um, your military bearing?” she said, finding herself falling into laughter with him once more. “Everything from your hair to the neat way you dress to the way you hold yourself. Not to mention the fact that you’re sitting with your back to the wall.”
Sev raised his fork toward his mouth, but stopped short in realization. “You knew I was Navy before I even mentioned it, didn’t you?”
She rolled her lips as if she were trying to prevent the smile turning up her lips. Nodding emphatically, she let loose with a laugh as her eyes twinkled with mirth.
He’d never seen a woman look more beautiful.
They continued to converse companionably, eating through their meals until they started to slow down. Eventually, Kelsey wiped her mouth with the napkin in her lap.
“I’ll be right back, nature calls.”
Sev nodded as she got up from her chair, making her way to the restrooms in the back.
Pulling his phone out and checking the time, he realized his parents were going to begin wondering where he was soon.
The whole family was flying to Florida tomorrow to visit his grandmother for the holiday.
He was originally going to fly out with them until he got his orders.
So instead, they told him to swing by later on that evening for Christmas Eve.
He figured he’d bring his motorcycle along too, preferring to leave it safe in their garage than somewhere on base while he was gone.
But the idea of saying goodbye to them was something he hadn’t worked himself up to just yet. Thus, he took a detour to the Second Call.
His thoughts were broken when the atmosphere of the bar suddenly changed.
Immediately tipping his head up to scan the room, he watched as a guy about his age in a brand-name gray winter jacket and matching beanie cap strolled in as if he owned the place.
Sev honestly looked for an entourage the way he was performing, right down to his stride, his desperately false swagger, and his pitiful bravado.
He walked straight to the bar where Carter was drying some pint glasses. The guy stood directly opposite him, reached into his pocket, and thrust his phone at him.
“Do you know where this woman is?”
Sev’s heart began to pound. He didn’t know how, but he knew this guy was Kelsey’s ex.
Getting up, he tried to casually walk back to the restrooms, all while keeping an ear open to the conversation at hand.
“You lost someone who looks like her?” Carter asked, cocking his eyebrow as his eyes fleetingly touched down on Sev. “Sorry to hear that, man.”
“You idiot,” the man sneered, shoving his phone deeper at Carter. “She didn’t come home when she was supposed to, and her locator says she’s here. Have you seen her or not?”
Rounding the dimly lit hallway, Sev was met with Kelsey walking out of the bathroom, still rubbing sanitizer between her hands. She immediately knew something was wrong by the look on his face, and probably the speed at which he was walking toward her.
“What’s going on?”