Chapter 26
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Friday evening, Gina was filled with excitement. Wave’s friends showed up at six. She held back while Wave introduced Cass. Everyone was nice to Wave’s sister, which didn’t surprise her at all. Cass was really a nice person.
Then Wave introduced her, and she wondered if any of the women would be snarky to her, but none of them were. They all seemed very nice.
“Foster told me you’re a nurse,” Pen said.
She nodded. “Yes.”
“Oh, I looked into nursing,” Blakely said. “But I’m still unsure.”
Now that she wasn’t rushed, she got a good look at Blakely and realized she was younger. Maybe mid-twenties at the oldest. She smiled easily and seemed to have a love of life.
“Nursing can be very rewarding. And you’re young. You have time to decide,” Gina said.
Blakely nodded. “Foster keeps telling me the same thing. I just know I couldn’t work at a bar or in retail. Too many people.”
Willa laughed. “I love working at the bar.”
Pen shook her head. “Yes, but you’re good at it.”
“It helps that I like it,” Willa said.
“Yes, it does.”
“I like being a nurse, but I know it’s not for everyone. You’re up close and personal with people, and not everyone smells great.”
Blakely wrinkled her nose. “Oh, no. That would be hard.”
“People at the bar can stink, too,” Willa said.
Blakely shook her head. “Yeah, I couldn’t do that.”
Cass came over, her smile huge. “I don’t know what I want to study either.”
Blakely nodded. “It’s hard to decide.”
“Right? I think I’ll finish my basic classes, then take a break and work. Then go back to it. Maybe. Though I have a scholarship, I’m not sure how they will feel about that. Maybe I’ll just take off a semester. I want to do something I like, but I have no idea what I’ll like.”
Gina nodded. “When I first started out, I wasn’t aiming to be a nurse. I wanted to be a biologist, but then I took a nursing class and ended up getting a job in a nursing home. I liked it.”
“Really?” Blakely asked. “What did you like about it?”
“The people. They told good stories. I mean, some of the stories were long-winded. I had to ask them to finish the story the next time I came around. I had a bunch of older people talking to me all day long. It was good.”
“Wow, that’s cool,” Cass said.
“I enjoyed hearing their stories. As I said, it’s not for everyone.
Some of the people at the nursing home hated having to listen to the stories.
Some people told the same stories over and over again.
But I could see the joy on the residents' faces when I came in. Then I got my nursing certs and moved to working at the hospital. It was faster-paced than the nursing home, but I really enjoy working with older patients.”
Blakely shook her head. “I don’t think I could do that.”
“I’m good at science, but I don’t know,” Cass said.
Pen squeezed Blakely’s shoulder. “You’ll figure it out.”
“I know. Eventually. And I can always change my mind.”
Willa nodded. “You can.”
Wave came over. “I’m going to start the grill.”
“Oh.” Gina glanced around, wondering if she needed to do anything. “I can help.”
“No, relax and enjoy chatting with the women. We’ve got it covered.”
Willa put her hand on Gina’s arm. “They are good at taking care of stuff. We can get some drinks going.”
“Sure.”
These women were great, and the guys seemed great, too. Pen opened a bag of chips, and they started snacking on the chips while they made up the drinks. Before long, the first of the burgers and hot dogs were done.
The weather was nice enough that they all sat outside, though the backyard wasn’t huge. Everyone had brought chairs, so they all had a place to sit.
The guys joined in on the conversation with the women, which was nice. They talked about everything from places to eat to parks they liked. It was like being with a big family that got along.
Willa brought out a pan of brownies she’d made after they finished dinner. The guys seemed very excited about the brownies, and at her first taste, she understood why. They were very chocolaty and super gooey.
“These are amazing,” Gina said.
“Thank you. They are one of my favorite recipes to make.”
“Do you share recipes?” Cass asked.
“I sure do.”
Cass took another bite, then moaned. “Nice. These are too good.”
“I’ll send you the recipe.”
“Thank you.”
Cass moved to chat with Wave, and Gina watched them, glad that Cass had a brother who loved her. It was hard enough getting along in the world without having family there to support you.
Willa moved close and spoke in a low voice. “So, you and Wave?”
Gina laughed nervously, hoping Willa didn’t warn her off the man. “Um, yes.”
“That’s good. He’s a great guy, but he needs someone.”
Her eyebrows rose. “Needs?”
“To smooth him out a little. He’s kind of intense. Good guy, but just a little on the intense side.”
Gina nodded. “I could see that. He’s really good with his sister.”
“That’s honestly why he might seem intense. He’s had a lot on his plate, with his mom being sick, then his sister coming to stay with him. So it makes sense. I do like him.”
Gina smiled. “He’s a good man.”
“It’s nice to see him with someone. I hope you last.”
“Thank you.”
After everyone left, Cass headed upstairs, and Gina was in the kitchen, putting the last of the glasses in the dishwasher. Wave came into the kitchen and moved to stand next to her.
“Did you have a good time?”
“I did. All of your friends are nice.”
“They are nice, aren’t they?”
She wiped her hands on a towel and then moved to lean against the counter facing him. “So, did you enjoy yourself?”
He nodded. “It’s always good to see my friends after time off.”
“It’s good that you like the people you work with.”
“Oh yeah. Before becoming a SEAL, there were a few guys who were difficult. They were always causing problems. We’re all intense, and we have strong opinions on what we’re supposed to do, but we all have strengths, and we use our strengths to move forward.”
“That’s good. I’ve worked on a few units where everyone got along. The place ran smoothly.”
“It sucks that the last place you were at wasn’t great.”
She nodded. “I’m glad I left. It was stressful having to put up with them being rude.”
“Well, I’m glad you weren’t tied to that job and are here with me.”
“Same.”
“You ready to go to bed?”
She nodded. “Yes. I need to shower first.”
His lips spread into a seductive smile. “I can help you with that.”
She lifted up on her toes and brushed her lips over his. “I’d appreciate your help.”
He picked her up, and she yelped, then laughed as he carried her to the bathroom. She was falling for this man, and she hoped he felt the same way about her. This was the kind of relationship she’d always wanted, and now she had it.