Page 46 of Andy

“I was going to install a security system, anyway. When I’m away on a mission, I would be worried that the house would be an easy target. This way, Ava can monitor it while I’m gone.”

She nodded as she stared into his eyes. “It’s nice how close you all are.”

"We lean on each other. Not everyone in the military has as good of a support system as we do, but we're lucky, I guess. I mean, we've all dated people who probably weren't the best, but now, all of you get along, and it makes it easy to remain friends."

She rested her head on his shoulder. "So how about dinner? We could order a pizza and have it delivered, then watch a movie while we pig out."

Andy chuckled. “That sounds great. I showered at the base before leaving, so I’ll order and we can relax.”

She felt bad about having to stay in a hotel, but Andy didn't blame her. He also didn't berate her about the hotel. Even after his injury he'd been so easy going it amazed her. She liked how he didn't get upset because she’d messed up. Not that her getting shot at was really her fault, but she couldn’t believe she’d found a man this good.

Next week, she would focus on getting her life together. The robbery had messed her up. Now, it was time to focus on her future and be the type of woman Andy deserved.

Chapter 27

Andy wasn’t happy that Mel was back at work, but she couldn’t stay away from her job forever. Detective Houck’s cameras at the front of his house hadn’t picked up anything. They were no closer to finding the men who’d fired the shot at the marina now than the day it had happened.

They had been sequestered in the conference room, discussing an attack that had happened near Dubai. There were reasons for going in, and the military brass was going back and forth with the White House and other people while briefing SEAL teams on possible actions they would have to take.

Andy was frustrated by the process, but it was right up their alley, though the back and forth was annoying. They were about to break for an hour when something else came up and they were stuck in the room for another thirty minutes. Eventually, someone realized they weren’t moving forward, and a break was called.

He stepped out of the conference room and heard Wild groan in front of him. Andy huffed out a breath, and Jax came up beside him, bumping his shoulder.

“How about we all eat something and then go for a run,” Jax suggested.

“Yeah. That is preferable to sitting in there all afternoon.”

Wild's phone buzzed. "We're free for the afternoon. We'll eat, stretch, clean a little, then meet on the obstacle course. We need a session out there."

“Sounds like fun,” Peach said.

“Crap, that felt interminable,” Andy said.

“I wanted to stab myself with a pen just to get out of there,” Harry said.

Wild chuckled. “The back and forth. It was excruciating. We shouldn’t have been in that meeting. They aren’t even set on going in.”

“I’m ready to pound out my frustration on the O,” Peach said.

Andy nodded. “Yeah. I need something to give me a break.”

After eating, they headed back to their offices and did a few chores before changing into shorts and t-shirts. Peach led them in stretching, and then they jogged over to the obstacle course.

Andy couldn't help but wonder what Mel was doing. She had been at work all day, and he hadn't heard anything from her. She would get home after him, and he would probably worry the whole time. They were installing the security system this afternoon. He would feel much better knowing they could keep up with anyone who was paying too much attention to their house.

Getting on the obstacle course was always enjoyable. When they were out here, his mind drifted back to the time Wild learned he was going to have custody of his two nieces. That had been an interesting time that changed everything for them.

He wondered if Jax would have been ready to settle down if Wild hadn't found Ava. Would Bear have been willing to take in Ingrid and her kids?

Andy knew his last relationship had problems, but he'd dismissed how toxic it really was. He should have examined everything more closely, as he'd done with his relationship with Mel. She might not like him comparing his past to their present, but he was thankful for the differences. Mel treated him so well. In the past, a few of his girlfriends had seemed to care, but their caring paled in comparison to how Mel treated him. It was like she actually wanted what was best for him.

“Andy, get your head out of your ass and speed up,” Wild called out.

“Sorry.” Andy finished the course, but his time was slow.

After he grabbed his water bottle and sat down, Wild came over. “What’s on your mind?”

"Honestly, I was thinking about when you learned you would have custody of the kids. We were out here, and the MPs pulled up."

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