“Yeah, he was a winner,” Caitlyn said dryly. “I’ve got enough on my plate anyway even if this doesn’t work out.”
“You like him,” Harper teased.
She flushed, thankful her best friend couldn’t see her. She had no business liking a man she didn’t even know. He could be a total jackass. “What makes you think that?”
“I can just tell. Plus, you wouldn’t have bothered getting his number otherwise. You’d have blown him off and gone on your merry way.”
“Well, you got me there,” Caitlyn admitted. “He was sweet considering we didn’t even know each other. He really was worried they’d left me stranded. He seemed to think there was a chance they’d get sent out soon though. Even if I called him, it might be for naught. He won’t be around.”
“Hey, not all guys are assholes,” Harper said gently. “I know we’ve had some real zingers lately, but he could be a good guy. What’s one dinner?”
“He could be a good guy,” Caitlyn said, honing in on those words. “And I could be getting my hopes up for nothing.”
“You didn’t get his last name, did you?”
“No, why?”
“I wanted to look him up on social media and check him out myself. I’m sure he doesn’t blast his Navy SEAL status all over Facebook or something, but he might have a profile.”
Caitlyn giggled. “I don’t think those guys are big on social media. He does have sisters though. If I knew his last name, I could’ve looked them up. What am I saying?” she said. “I’m not some sort of stalker.”
“You’re curious,” Harper said dryly. “So am I. You’re not usually into guys you just met. They have to do a hell of a lot to impress you.”
“He seemed different. That still doesn’t mean anything though. We talked for like twenty minutes. I barely know the guy.”
“Well, you know what I’d do,” Harper teased.
“Show up naked on his doorstep?”
“That too,” she laughed. “But you better believe I’d be calling and setting up dinner. At least meet for drinks. So far you’ve told me that he’s nice. He’s got a good job. He’s hot.”
“I’ve got a lot on my plate right now,” Caitlyn said, looking around her living room. The TV was on low in the background. The last rays of the sunset were peeking in through her windows. A yummy scented candle was lit on her coffee table. And yeah. She was alone. The same as every other Sunday night. Her last serious relationship had ended over a year ago. She’d dated a few men since then who’d mostly turned out to be not worth her time. And she had her event planning business. She didn’t need another man to come along and break her heart.
“Call him. Oh, that’s my doorbell. I ordered Chinese tonight. Give the man a chance, will you? You deserve someone good, hun.”
“Yeah, I guess. Enjoy your dinner.”
They hung up, and Caitlyn blew out a sigh. Maybe she should give him a chance. She’d wait a few days and then shoot him a text. She didn’t even have to invite him to dinner; she could just say hello. Then he’d have her number at least. He could ask her out, and if not? Oh well. Life would go on.
She reached over and grabbed her iced coffee, taking another sip. Her heart fluttered in her chest, and she knew she was being silly. There could be a million things wrong with Troy. She could text him and find out he’d be deployed for a month or longer. He could meet another woman this week. She could get up the nerve to call him and never hear from him again.
That didn’t stop the tiny kernel of hope filling her heart.
***
Troy climbed out of his SUV and strode across the parking lot on base, frowning as his SEAL team leader Blake “Raptor” Reynolds caught up to him. “What do you think this is about?” Troy asked.
“Not sure. It could be a number of things. I know Ethan’s hoping we’re headed back to Bagram to round up the rest of those assholes who kidnapped Kimberly. Hell, I’m sure Kim would like to join us on that mission if she could. Seems doubtful though.”
Troy scrubbed a hand over his jaw. “Agreed, and it’s a damn shame we never got them. We could’ve just headed back up that damn mountain and smoked them out.”
Blake grunted. “Never say never, but who the hell knows? We’ve been monitoring multiple situations. Something big must’ve happened to require a meeting tonight.”
“Yep. There’s always some new asshole out there for us to chase down. For every terrorist we take out, ten new ones spring up in his place.”
“Ain’t that the truth,” Blake muttered.
The men walked into the building and headed toward the bullpen. There was less activity than usual, but it was a Sunday evening. Everyone who worked regular hours was at home with their families. Or hanging out on the beach, Troy thought wryly. Hell. The image of the redhead was still burned into his brain. He needed to get his mind back on track. “You got here quickly,” Troy noted. “I figured the rest of you guys would be dropping off your women.”
“K-Bar drove Taryn and Clarissa back,” Blake said, referring to their teammate Jackson “K-Bar” Clinefield. Jackson and Taryn lived in the townhouse next door to Blake and Clarissa. Troy knew the two women appreciated having each other close by when the team got sent out on an op. It had just been a coincidence that Jackson had started dating Blake’s neighbor, but they seemed pretty damn happy now. “Commander Hutchinson asked to meet with me before he briefs the team,
