Page 41 of Keeping Astrid

What Astrid wanted to do was lean into him. To have his arm come around her and pull her close to him. All it had taken was one night in his arms for her to yearn to feel them around her all the time.

This was more than simple attraction.

Then again, her heart had already told her that.

In the middle of Penni and Fort’s backyard, with dozens of eyes on them, wasn’t the place for her to launch herself at Callum.

“Yeah.” This time she gave Callum’s hand a squeeze before releasing it and using every ounce of her strength to stroll back to where she’d been sitting.

“Damn, girl, that look Callum is giving you is intense.” Penni fanned herself and handed Astrid a glass of iced tea. “It’s a look I’m very familiar with.”

“Me too,” Imogene piped up, a smile on her face.

“Just count us all in at being familiar with looks like that,” Maddie said with a laugh.

Astrid ducked her head so that her hair fell in front of her face as she sneaked a glance in Callum’s direction. He hadn’t moved. In fact, he looked as still as a statue, but Penni was right. The look was dark, brooding, and had her blood thrumming to life in her veins.

When she turned her attention back to the girls, Astrid found they were all watching her. “Yeah, okay, it is intense.”

What was the point in denying it? None. They’d all seen it and from what they’d said, they’d all experienced it.

“Have you…you know?” Penni wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

“Oh my God, Penni, you’re incorrigible.” Angela swatted her friend on the arm.

“What? Like all you aren’t thinking and wondering,” Penni responded, sipping her drink.

Astrid couldn’t help it. She laughed at their antics. She’d had some friends in culinary school, but ever since she’d taken off, only a couple had reached out to maintain contact with her. Most also lived on the east coast, so keeping up friendships was tough. But in a few short hours Astrid felt as if she’d known this group of women for years.

“A woman doesn’t kiss and tell,” Astrid said primly, but winked, and another round of laughter erupted from them.

“Once you’ve had Navy, you never go back. Am I right?” Penni raised her glass and everyone, including Astrid, tapped the side of her drink with their own.

“I’m almost too afraid to ask what you girls are toasting. But if I know my wife, it wasn’t an innocent toast.” Fort came up and brushed his fingers down Penni’s cheek. Penni melted against her husband, and Astrid sighed at the beautiful love shared between the two of them.

“We don’t kiss and tell, right girls?” Penni repeated Astrid's words, and everyone nodded.

Fort laughed. “Then, yes, it was definitely inappropriate. Anyone hungry? The burgers are done.” He looked over at Astrid. “Please don’t judge me and let me believe I’m the best griller this side of the highway.”

Astrid’s shoulder shook in mirth at Fort’s comments. “Trust me. I don’t judge, not to your face anyway,” she winked, clearly stating that she was joking.

Another round of laughter erupted from the group, which now included the men. A brush of fingers against her shoulder told her that Callum had come up behind her. He needn’t have done that as her skin prickled to life the second he’d gotten close to her.

“Duly noted,” Fort replied once the laughter had died down. “Come and eat before it gets cold.”

Everyone rose, and when she did, Callum took hold of her hand and led her over to the table laden with food. She had never felt more cherished than she did right this second. Whatever happened, Astrid was glad that it had. Glad that Callum and brought her here and introduced her to his friends. Friends that she liked to think were hers as well.

For the rest of the time that they were here, Astrid wasn’t going to think about the drama that had led her to this moment. She was grateful that it had.

Chapter Twenty

Night had settled in and the house was silent, but Growler hadn’t moved from his place at the window. The yard, which only a few hours ago had been full of fun and laughter, lay still and quiet.

Catching up with his former teammates and their women had been bittersweet and enjoyable all at the same time.

Fuck, I miss the camaraderie. Have I done the right thing joining Alliez?

The potential was there with Alliez to have the same team dynamic as he’d had with SEAL Team Tango, but it would take time. He would put in the work.

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