Chapter 25
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
The beach was marvelous. Gina couldn’t believe how fresh it felt here. There weren’t a lot of people on the sand, but there were enough people that the beach didn’t feel deserted.
Cass looked so happy. She and Wave were running around, exuberantly shouting as they played with two dogs who seemed to be thrilled to have met them.
After a moment, Wave came over, his smile wide. He picked her up and swung her around. She clung to him, laughing as they spun.
His lips grazed over hers before he set her down. She was still laughing, and it felt good being so free here. Cass threw a ball for one of the dogs, who took off running.
“Cass looks happy.”
Wave nodded. “She is. I forgot that Mom wouldn’t take her to the beach. I’m glad she is here now.”
“Yeah. I’ve at least taken beach vacations, but it has been a while.”
“I don’t get out here enough, not for pleasure. Maybe it’s because we spend so much time in the sand training.”
She reached over and squeezed his arm. “The training has paid off.”
He threw back his head, laughter spilling out. “It’s the reason I became a SEAL. I just wanted the body and decided an incredibly dangerous career was the way.”
She laughed, then bumped his shoulder. “Thank you for letting me come live here. I checked my email and saw that I have four interviews next week. I may not be working in geriatric nursing, but I will get a job in nursing easily.”
“Do you want to stay in that kind of nursing? You know, with people you know will probably die?”
She nodded, then shrugged. “It’s sad. I see people die all the time, and I don’t like that aspect of the job, but someone has to do it, and it’s rewarding in a way.
I know for sure I don’t want to work on the other end of the spectrum, in pediatrics.
That takes a special kind of person. I can’t deal with sick kids. ”
“Yeah. When we experience children on our missions, it’s so much worse.”
She turned to him, narrowing her gaze. “That would be awful.”
He nodded. “I can’t talk about details, but those are the things that stick with me.”
She locked arms with him and rested her head on his shoulder as they watched Cass enjoying her time running all over the beach.
After a few more minutes, Cass ran over to them, laughter spilling out. Her smile was huge, and Gina laughed with her.
“That was so much fun. Oh gosh, how does anyone get anything done in this city? Why aren’t more people out here?”
Wave laughed. “People have to work to afford to live out here. They come out on the weekends if the weather is good.”
Cass spun with her hands lifted above her head. “This is the perfect place.”
Wave nodded. “It really is. I love it out here. I need to come more often.”
“I’m sure I’ll drag you out here more than you want.”
“It will be good for me,” Wave said. “Are you two about ready to head home and make dinner?”
Cass took off running. “Just a few more minutes,” she called out over her shoulder.
Wave shook his head. “I hope she doesn’t want a dog any time soon.”
Gina watched as Cass ran around with one of the dogs, laughing and playing with them. It was good to see Cass so happy. The girl had been through a lot, and she needed good things in her life.
“On Friday you’ll meet Willa and Pen. You’ve already met Blakely.”
“We didn’t have much time to talk, but she seems very nice.”
“I don’t really know her. But Jump likes her.”
“So your buddies, what are their names?”
“There’s Bang, Cy, T, Jump, and Foster. T and Bang aren’t with anyone that I know of. Of course, something could have happened while I was gone, but it’s doubtful.”
“I’m looking forward to meeting them.”
“They may seem intense, but they are good guys.”
She nodded. “I believe you.”
He glanced over at her and smiled. “Why do you take my word?”
She shrugged. “I feel like I can trust you.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that. I feel like I can trust you.”
Warmth spread through her. “Thank you.”
He threw his arm over her shoulder. “I like you a lot, Gina.”
She wrapped one arm around his waist. “And I like you.”
“Good. That works out well for both of us.”
Cass came over, looking exhausted and breathing hard. “Okay, those dogs wore me out. I’m ready to go.”
“Did you have fun?”
“I had a blast. I love this place. Thank you for letting me move here.”
Wave gave her a quick hug. “I’m glad you’re here.”
As they headed home, Gina realized she already thought of this place as home. Her car would be here soon, and then she would have a job. She had friends here already. It seemed like everything was falling into place for her.
Cass showered, then took a nap while she and Wave headed to the store to buy stuff for the party. They were taking care of the meat, and the other guys on his team were bringing the other food and drinks.
Excitement skittered through her. She really was building a life here.
Getting to know Wave’s friends was important for their future.
She hoped they liked her. So far, everyone he’d introduced her to had been nice.
But now they would know she was in a relationship with him, and that might change how they felt about her.
She hoped it didn’t make any of them hate her.
Based on what she knew of Wave, she didn’t think they would be mad at her for getting with him so quickly, but sometimes people surprised her.