Page 10 of Ex-SEAL Bad Boy

“Not at all, in fact, make me one while you’re at it.”

I have to hand it to Liam, he knows his scotch, He buys only the best.

Dalmore is a 16-year-old scotch, which, while not outrageously expensive, is considered by many experts to be the best. Just goes to show, where whisky is concerned, expensive doesn’t always mean the best.

I pour two glasses – neat of course. Ice ruins the complexity of the liquor, and it would be a shame to ruin a good glass of scotch.

I down it in one gulp and pour another.

Sophia arrives at seven sharp. Always prompt that one.

Liam had always been a good cook. Learned it from his mom, who was a pretty fair cook herself. Tonight, lasagna is on the menu, and I could already smell the delicious scent of garlic and oregano wafting through the little frame rental house a few blocks from the beach when I arrived.

I teased Liam that he could afford a better place, but being the logical guy he is, he reasoned that it was a good place to land and save up money until he found the perfect home to settle down in. It was hard to argue with that.

He has a semi-serious girlfriend named Gracie who was out-of-town; otherwise, she would likely have joined us.

The two had started dating after I had deployed, but Liam would post about the two of them on social media. He’s happy, and that’s what matters. I actually look forward to meeting her in person.

I’m completely taken by surprise when Sophia walks in the door. My heart skips a beat.

She’s dressed in a solid pastel coral-colored halter dress that shows off her soft, sun-kissed shoulders scattered with freckles from hours spent under the summer sun.

Her shoulder-length chestnut hair cascades down in loose waves, and around her neck is a silver pendant shaped like a tiny hummingbird, given to her as a gift from her brother years ago. Her emerald eyes sparkle with life, and for the briefest moment, I’m convinced I’ve never seen a more beautiful woman.

Only two drinks in, it’s apparent Liam is already starting to feel the effects of the alcohol. I have a higher tolerance, but I can feel my inhibitions lowering.

I venture a smile at Sophia, “You look very nice, Sophia, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in a dress, at least not recently.”

“Thank you,” she says, forcing a smile. Obviously, this is going to take more work than I had hoped.

“Your brother was telling me you just graduated with a degree in marketing,” I say.

“Dean’s list, baby,” Liam calls out from the kitchen, clearly proud of his little sister.

“Impressive,” I nod.

“Not really,” she responds, reddening at the compliment. I could see she was loosening up.

“It’s not like I’m studying astrophysics or anything. It’s just marketing, building campaigns, advertising, that kind of thing. Common sense really.”

“Don’t discount that. Hey, you made the grades, it’s something to be proud of.”

I’m not being completely sincere. I have a pretty low opinion of liberal arts degrees, but if I’m trying to make nice, insulting her chosen area of study isn’t the way to go about it.

As dinner progresses, I think back to one of the lessons we were taught by an instructor in Naval Intelligence.

Acting like you are under the influence of alcohol makes people around you more relaxed and willing to open up. They see you as being more vulnerable.

It might be worth seeing how susceptible she is to suggestions.

By the time dinner is over, there is definitely a thaw in our relationship. She’s not exactly friendly, but we manage to make conversation without the contemptuous glances or sarcastic comments.

It’s progress.

I make my excuses and begin to leave when Liam, who’s now beginning to sober up, protests that I really shouldn’t be driving and Sophia should drive me home.

She shoots him an evil glance.

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