Chapter 17 #2
“Is that how you got your scars, in the Navy?” Andrea’s eye widened in shock. “Sorry, if you don’t want to talk about it, I get it. I didn’t mean to pry.”
“No, it’s fine.” He smiled; he was actually glad she wanted to know more about him. That meant she was getting more comfortable with him. “Questions don’t bother me. Ask me anything you want about them. I’m an open book.”
“Is that how you got your scars? In the Navy.”
“Yes, an IED exploded a few more feet apart than you and I.”
“How terrifying.”
“It happened so fast I didn’t have time to feel anything except pain in the end.”
“What exactly is field operations?” she asked after a moment.
“Reconnaissance mostly.”
“Wow, that’s a big change to IT.”
“I was always good with computers, and we had to use tech on all our trainings and missions, so it was an easy transition.”
“Physically, but what about mentally?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, I’m sure you would train all the time for worst case scenarios and in the harshest of environments, and now you’re working in an office; that must have been difficult.”
“It was, but I learned to adjust.” It was an even balance now. Planning and strategizing then implementing. “What about you?”
“What about me?” She looked wary about his question.
“Was bartending always in your future plans?”
“No.”
“If you could do anything in the world—education and schooling not a factor—what would you do?”
Andrea sat back in her chair and looked away thoughtfully.
“Is it that hard to come up with a career choice?”
“It’s something I’ve never thought about. I never had an aspiration growing up other than getting away. I went to college for a time, but I didn’t have a clear goal in mind what to do.”
She had gone to college? Well, this was news. “How long were you in college for?”
Andrea looked panicked, like she wasn’t supposed to let that information slip. “It was only a semester. Not very long, and I found it not for me. So instead of wasting money on a college education I didn’t know what in, I started bartending until I figured it out.”
Jack didn’t believe all of that to be true. The dropping out part, yes, but he didn’t think she had been bartending since she was eighteen. Legally, she couldn’t.
“You haven’t answered my question. What’s your career of choice?”
“I think I’d like to be a teacher.”
“A teacher?” He hadn’t seen that one coming, but he should have.
“Yeah, I’ve always liked kids and their thirst for knowledge.” Corrupt the children while they were young and turn them into villains. It made sense. Good thing that career path never took off. “What about you? Was Navy always in your plans?”
“Not necessarily Navy, but I wanted to be in the military.”
“What was the draw? The gadgets and guns? Or how a woman can’t resist a man in uniform?”
“You make me sound like James Bond.” If that was her fantasy, he’d be sure to fulfill it though.
“Trust me, it was never so glamorous. We did have cool gear, but I didn’t get spy cars that shot missiles or anything.
Half the time, we hoofed it miles to our target or parachuted in so we didn’t announce our presence.
I was covered in war paint and dirt and grime more than anything. ”
“So what made you choose that path? That sounds awful.”
“I wanted to change the world. Save it from war and tyranny.”
“By causing your own war, killing people.”
“Don’t make judgements on something you don’t know anything about.” He wasn’t going to defend his actions because he didn’t have to. He didn’t regret anything he had done in the name of serving his country. Freedom wasn’t won without spilling blood.
“Sorry, you’re right.” Andrea looked chastened. “So why Navy?” she asked, sounding curious instead of judgmental.
“I looked at the other branches, but I felt a draw to Navy. I don’t know, there was something about the recruiter and the thought of sailing around the world I found appealing.”
“Not like Top Gun and fly jets?”
“I like planes, but I felt more drawn to my career. I still got to fly and see the world. Win-win.”
“That sounds incredible. I bet your family is proud of you.”
Now it was Jack’s turn to be quiet. He didn’t like talking about his family and the military. It was a sore subject.
“Are you finished with your plate?” he asked even as he reached for it.
“I am, thanks,” she responded, looking thoughtful as if she knew he was avoiding the conversation about his family but thankfully wasn’t pressing.
Jack took their dishes to the sink.
“You don’t have to do dishes.” Andrea rushed to his side, trying to pull the plates from his grip. He could have fought her on it, but he released them. “You’re my guest. I’ll take care of that.”
“As you wish,” he whispered, noting how close they were standing to each other. Their arms were practically touching. This close, he could smell a hint of fruit, but there was none near them. Her shampoo perhaps.
Andrea’s gaze fell to his lips then shot back up to his eyes quickly as if afraid to be caught, though she was. She licked her lips, and Jack almost groaned. He wanted nothing more than to kiss those plump lips. To nibble on the bottom one and suck on it.
“Why don’t you have a seat while I clean up?” She shifted her eyes to the seat on the other side of the island, effectively breaking the spell.
“Where did you learn to cook?”
“I taught myself.”
“Don’t most learn from family or something?”
“Not me, I learned to cook at an early age.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. It taught me never to rely on others for anything and how to take care of myself.”
“Just because you can do it yourself doesn’t mean it’s not nice to have someone else take care of you for once.”
She glanced up at him and cocked her head to the side. “Well, it’s a nice fantasy.”
“I can make it a reality.”
“How’s that?” she asked, not sounding impressed.
“Let me make dinner for you some time.”
“Food poisoning or burnt food isn’t my first choice.”
Ouch. “I can cook, thank you, and I haven’t made myself sick with my own cooking yet. Come over for dinner.”
“I’ll think about it.”
It wasn’t an outright no. “When can I see you again?”
“Eager much?”
“What can I say, I enjoy your company.” It was true. Far more than he should, considering she was an enemy of the nation. She had done who knew how much damage to their country, and here he was, playing house with her and fantasizing about sleeping with her.
“Now that’s a lie.”
“Why would you say that?” he questioned, feeling defensive on her behalf. He did enjoy her company. Even though he shouldn’t. Nick would have his ass if he knew and pull him quicker than he could blink an eye. He had to remind himself of his objective.
“I know I’m not the most personable.”
“You’re an acquired taste.” She was slowly warming up to him. It just took a while to get through all of her thick layers.
“Thanks,” she said.
“Just like I’m robust.”
“You’re not going to let that go, are you?” She grimaced as she dried off the plates.
“Not anytime soon.”
She flicked some of the water still on her fingers at him. “Fine.”
Jack chuckled, liking seeing her more playful side come out. He brushed the water from his face and checked his watch, shocked how late it was getting. He didn’t think he’d been here as long as he had. “I should get going. I have a long day tomorrow.”
“I have a long week myself.”
“May I text you?”
“Sure, just don’t blow up my phone at all hours.”
“I’ll keep it to a minimum.” He wasn’t much of a texter, so there was no concern there.
Andrea paused as if in thought. “And no body pictures.”
“I shall refrain.” He bit his lip to hold back his laughter. The things she suggested sometimes.
“Okay.” She rattled off her number which Jack put in his phone and hit dial. Her phone lit up, and he hung up.
“Now you have mine.”
“Lucky me,” she mused, walking him to the door.
“You should feel lucky. I don’t give it out to many.”
“I’m surprised.”
“I don’t want women blowing up my phone, so I don’t make it a habit to give out my number.”
“I guess that makes sense. It’s easier to ignore them too when you don’t have to block their calls or change your number.”
“You really do have a low opinion of me.”
“Prove I’m wrong then.”
A challenge. He liked it. “I will.”
“Promises, promises,” she whispered, leaning against the doorframe.
“Now am I supposed to wait two days to text, or because we aren’t dating, we don’t have to follow those rules?”
“As long as you don’t text before nine in the morning or after three, we’re good.”
“I can work with that. Good night, Andrea.”
“Night, Michael.”
“Is it too much to ask you to dream of me?”
Andrea rolled her eyes and closed the door in his face. Well, she didn’t say no.