“No, actually, that’s perfect. I can fix dinner and we can go over any personal information that would help us with our pretense of being a real couple.”
“I hate for you to go to any trouble. We could order takeout.”
“That’s okay. I like to cook and cooking for one is no fun.” She shrugged. “It’ll be nice to fix dinner for someone who appreciates food.”
“Sounds good. Let me get your phone number and address.” They quickly traded phone numbers, and she rattled off her address which he entered into his phone as well.
Reaching for the handle on her car, she looked over her shoulder, her gaze pensive. “This whole thing really is kind of a nutsy idea, isn’t it?”
He chuckled while nodding. “Yeah, no denying it. But honestly, I need to do something besides go crazy wondering when I can rejoin my team, and this should be easy. A visit to the wedding chapel to get the lay of the land and then another visit where we manage to sneak you into the office so you can make a copy of the records. In and out. The fact that it’s in the Smokies is just a nice bonus.”
Her lips curved slightly, but her eyes held the specter of doubt as she offered a slight nod. She climbed inside her car and tossed him a wave. Throwing his hand up in return, he watched her drive away. He settled behind the steering wheel of his SUV and headed down the road, his mind rolling. What he told her was right. It should be an easy-to-plan, in-and-out mission. And the idea of spending more time with Lynn stirred his interest—and his dick. She’s now old enough, but damn, no way. I still can’t go there. Lynn is no quick fuck, and as soon as I’m able, I’m back with my team.
Driving home, he had a smile on his face just at the thought of spending more time with her. Once there, his dad was out in the yard, but his mom met him in the kitchen.
“How did it go with Lynn?” she asked.
“It went fine. We talked a little bit about what we think we should do, and as crazy as Nancy’s plan is, I think it’ll work. I’m going over to Lynn’s house tomorrow for dinner, and we are going to spend a little time getting to know each other so that when we make our trip to the chapel, we can seem like a real couple.”
His mom bounced on her toes, her eyes bright with excitement. “Oh, what a wonderful idea! I’ve always liked Lynn, and I think you’d make the cutest couple.”
Settling into a chair, his brow lowered as he looked at her. “Mom, don’t get any ideas. She’s a beautiful, smart woman, but as soon as I’m able, I’m joining my team again.”
Her face fell slightly, and she argued, “Nolan, just because you’re a SEAL doesn’t mean that you can’t have a relationship. There’s no reason you can’t have a wife.”
“I’m not looking for a wife now! Hell, I’m not even looking for a girlfriend now. To be honest, I’d consider a fling, but Lynn is not fling material.”
“Oh, my goodness, she’s absolutely not fling material.”
Shaking his head, he dropped his chin. “I can’t believe we’re having this conversation.”
“Son, I’m just looking out for you. You’ve already said that you’re not going to stay in the Navy forever. I think you ought to be in the market for a good woman that would be a perfect match for you. Personally, I think Lynn fits the bill. As you say, she’s beautiful, smart, owns her own business. She’s also loyal, dedicated, and I happen to know she used to carry a torch for you.”
Jerking his head back up, his eyes widened. “Carry a torch? Seriously, Mom? Who says, ‘carry a torch’ anymore?”
“Don’t argue semantics with me!” She plopped her hands on her hips and glared. “I know that when she was in high school, she absolutely adored you.”
“First of all, I know that, too. Second of all, high school was years ago, Mom. I hardly think that what was happening ten years ago means anything now.”
His mom sniffed and crossed her arms over her chest. “I just think that as you’re getting to know Lynn better for this scheme that Nancy’s concocted, you should spend time actually getting to know her. You might find that she’s someone you can be really, truly interested in.” With that, she turned and went back into the kitchen, leaving him sitting alone.
He wanted to be irritated with her, but the fact was he’d already had the same thoughts. He tried to convince himself that he didn’t want to cause her or his sister any grief, but the reality hit him that after having a taste of Lynn, it would hurt to leave her. Shaking his head, he dismissed the idea. With me rejoining my team, the timing is wrong. Damn, with Lynn, the timing is always wrong.
5
Lynn wiped her palms on her capris for the hundredth time as she waited for Nolan to arrive. Glancing down, she realized the front of her pants were beginning to get crinkled. Maybe I should change clothes. Refusing that idea, she was not sure she had any more clothes she could go through considering she had spent an hour trying to decide what to wear. A dress—even a sundress—was too fussy and looked as though she were trying to gain his attention. Yoga pants felt too casual. He had seen her in her professional clothes and she didn’t want to wear those for a casual dinner at her house. Finally, deciding on capris, flat sandals with a flower on top, and a cute blouse with little cap sleeves, that was the winning outfit.
Nolan Bell is coming to dinner. Looking into the bathroom mirror, she stared at her reflection. I’m an adult,
