Page 7 of Harry

“The hair. It’s not regulation, and neither are the whiskers. Very few Navy men can get away with long hair.”

He rolled his eyes. “Yeah, it’s not the style the Navy goes for.” His lips thinned as he stared at her. “I have no idea. I know you’re a Marine, but there are so many jobs you could do.”

“Well, you’ve eliminated that I’m a SEAL since I’m not Navy.”

Her words caused him to laugh. Once he recovered, he shook his head. “There are some badass women out there who could kick my ass if I didn’t take them seriously, but yeah, I’d know if there was a female SEAL. But I have no idea what kind of job you do in the Marines.” He sipped the now cold coffee and set down the mug, deciding he shouldn’t drink more of it.

Rory’s eyes twinkled, distracting him. He was usually better at figuring out stuff like this, but she wasn’t giving anything away. Obviously, she wasn’t new to military life. At one point, she carried and used a weapon she kept on her hip. A thought hit.

“Did you go to Virginia for training after you finished basic?” He didn’t know why he asked that question. He’d meant to ask another. All that would tell him was she might be an officer, not where she worked in the Marines.

Rory nodded. “I did.”

He wanted to make a guess, but something was holding him back. It was how she moved. She seemed very fluid in her movements. Maybe it was just her. But she went for her hip, almost like her weapon was a normal extension of her body.

“I’m hung up on something.”

Her lips twisted up to the side, and the look was adorable on her. Harry wanted to watch her all day.

“What are you hung up on?”

“When we were out for our run this morning and came upon that trouble, you reached for your hip. It was automatic. Like you’re used to carrying a weapon.”

She nodded. “So what’s your question?”

“Do you carry during your normal daily activities?”

She shook her head. “In my current position, I do not carry a weapon on a daily basis.”

“I’m at a loss. I think you’re an officer.”

She nodded. “I am.”

“But I don’t know where you work. You aren’t giving off any clues at all about your position or what you do. I don’t think you’re a paper pusher. You moved from Virginia over here. I’m at a loss.”

Her lips curved up in a smile, and she shook her head. “It’s not something you would have guessed. I’m in intelligence, and right now, I teach over at the Center. It’s a new position for me, and it’s not normal. It’s a Navy facility, but I’m a Marine on loan for certain courses.”

He shook his head. “You weren’t giving anything away, so working in intelligence makes sense.”

She shrugged. “I’m good at my job. I’m guessing you’re good at yours.”

He nodded. “I am.” He didn’t talk about what he did with many people. He was proud of what he’d accomplished as an operator. There were moments that were difficult, and he had to deal with things he never really thought he’d be dealing with, but overall, he and his team operated with integrity.

“So you’re Navy, and I’m a Marine. I’m an officer, and I’m guessing you aren’t.”

He shook his head. “I’m enlisted, but we’re not in the same branch of service, so there shouldn’t be any issue with us dating.”

“Are we going to date? We could call it just getting to know each other.”

Harry wasn’t good at lying. They weren’t dating, just being friendly. They may not make it past eating a few meals together. “I don’t want either of us to get in trouble.”

“I think we’ll be safe. And we’re not dating. Just hanging out and being friends.”

Harry shook his head. “Not everyone would see it that way. But you’re right. We don’t work in the same area, and you’re not in the Navy. Our command structures are totally different.”

Her lips curved up more. “I’m not Navy, and our command is different.”

“Okay, so Rory, who I’m totally not dating, do you want to plan on working out together next weekend?” Her eyes seemed to dance as she smiled. He would love to bask in her glory all day.

---