Page 5 of Reunited with the Soldier

“All the drinks are on you,” I tell him as I take a seat.

“Gentlemen, I’m Gwen, I’m your server for this evening. Can I get y’all started with some drinks?” the petite blonde asks.

“Beer please,” I ask, and the rest of the guys ask for the same.

“No problem, I’ll put that order in with the bar staff, it’s busy tonight, but Lauren will ensure you get your drinks quickly. Can I get you some food?” she asks, looking around at us. “Or would you like a few minutes to look over the menu.”

I quickly order some food and while the other men are doing the same, I crane my neck to see if I can see the woman at the bar. It’s the same reaction every time I hear the name Lauren. It’s instinctive, a gut reaction. But just as always, I don’t see her.

It doesn’t take Gwen long to bring us our drinks. While the guys talk, my mind drifts to a place it usually goes. Lauren, I've been wanting to find her since I got home. Now that I’m working at Maddog, I’ve more access to information than before. It wouldn’t take me long to uncover where she is. But there’s something in me that’s stopping me. What if she’s happy and married? I don’t want to upend her life, I already hurt her once, I won’t do it again.

“You good?” Maddox asks once we’re finished eating.

I shrug as I get to my feet. It’s time to go home. I need to get the fuck out of this headspace before I end up searching for her. She deserves peace. “Been thinking a lot.”

He nods. “Look brother,” he says low so that only I can hear him. “From everything you’ve told me, she was the one for you. I have no doubt that you were both young, but from what I get, you still love her. You’re never going to rest until you find her.”

I run a hand through my hair. He’s right. I won’t be able to put it behind me until we find out if she’s okay.

A husky laugh captures my attention and I glance over at the bar. My gaze collides with a very familiar set of emerald eyes. The same ones that have invaded my every dream for the past nine years. Her face pales as she sees me, her mouth parts and she swallows hard, unblinking as she stares at me.

“Fuck,” I breathe.

“Brother?” Maddox grunts, his body on alert.

“It’s her,” I say, unable to quite comprehend that the woman I want is standing in front of me. “Lo,” I whisper.

“Shit brother,” he says. “Go,” he tells me. “Go talk to her. I’ll call you later.” He slaps me on the back and his words are all the encouragement I need.

“Lo,” I greet with a smile as I take a seat at the bar.

She glares at me, the shock already worn off and the anger is in full force. She’s even more gorgeous than I remember, her body fuller, her hips wider, breasts heavier, and her hair longer. She’s beyond beautiful.

“The hell are you doing here, Kash?” she asks with a raised brow.

“Got done with the military and now working not far from here. You look good, Lo.”

“Lauren,” she corrects. “I stopped being Lo the day you left me behind,” she spits. “Now, do you want a drink, if not, get the hell out of here.”

“A beer, please,” I say, not willing to leave yet. No. I fucking finally found her. My gaze moves to her hand and I don’t see a ring on her finger. Hope sparks within me. Maybe, just maybe there’s hope?

She places the beer in front of me and our hands touch, electricity shoots through me and I hear her sharp intake of breath. Even after all this time, the spark is still there. I still want her, I still love her. She may not be the Lo that I left behind, but somewhere behind the anger, she’s still my woman.

I made the mistake of losing her once, I’m not going to make the same mistake again.

THREE

LAUREN

"Oh my god,” I say to Gemma. “Fuck, no, not now.”

“What’s wrong, Lauren?” She reaches out and touches me.

I jump. “Over there. The good looking table.” I nod my head at the gorgeous men that we’ve all been laughing about and drooling over.

She looks. “They’re really nice, not rowdy like I thought they would be.” She looks at me. “Are you okay, Lauren, you look pale.”

I shake my head, oblivious to everything and everyone around me. My head feels light and I hold onto the counter to stop myself from fainting onto the floor. I might have cleaned it this morning, but I still don’t want to end up laid on it.

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