Page 9 of When I Found You

“I also love going fishing. I don’t really care what for, I just enjoy being out in nature. So much of my job requires me to be one thousand percent focused that I like the peacefulness that comes with sitting out on a lake or river, and just basking in the quietness that’s around me. What about you, what do you like to do for fun?”

“Lately, work. But I enjoy going out and dancing, and with all the country bars at my disposal here, I’m in the perfect place for that. I also love FaceTiming with my niece. My brother, Connor, and his wife, Julie, live back in North Carolina. My niece, Sadie, is three, and the cutest little ball of energy.”

“Sounds like a cutie. Do you want kids?”

“Eventually I’d like to have some, but I kinda have to find someone to have them with first.”

“Not a big dater?” he questions.

“Not really. I’m usually a homebody. Except when I’m in the mood to go out dancing, which really isn’t all that often, if I’m being honest. I also don’t think the guys that are out at bars trolling for women are really looking for the long-term. They’re almost as bad as the guys on Tinder, and that’s just not my scene. What about you, got a girlfriend back on base?”

“Nope,” he says, popping the P, before he takes a drink of his water and then sets the glass back down on the table. “I tried the relationship thing once and it backfired on me big time. Nothing but drama, lying, and cheating—and not from my end. I’m not into drama or high maintenance women, and I’ve yet to meet a woman who isn’t one or both of those things. I’m also not interested in going through what my dad went through when my mom cheated on him and walked out on the two of us, never to look back.”

“I understand that. I don’t like drama, either; high school was enough. There’s no need to repeat it.” I get the vibe from his statement he’s been hurt by that one past relationship, and his mom walking out on him and his dad when he was a kid. It’s no wonder he doesn’t have a good perception of women.

We fall into easy conversation while we wait for our food to arrive, which continues while we eat. Before we know it, an hour and a half has passed.

“I should probably get you home so I can get back and check on my dad,” Peyton says finally.

“I can take an Uber if it’s out of your way,” I offer up again.

“It’s no problem to take you home, Stacey,” he assures me.

“Okay.”

After the bill is paid, we make our way out of the restaurant and to his truck.

“Do you have plans while you’re in town?” I ask, as he drives us through the city toward my neighborhood.

“Not really. Just came to decompress, see my dad and a few friends.” He clears his throat. “Any chance you’d want to go out with me again?”

“Like on a date?” I question, a little surprised.

“Yeah, like a date,” he confirms. A small smirk graces his lips, the same ones I’ve had to force myself not to stare at all night.

“Sure, I’d love that.”

“Here, put your number in, so I have it.” He hands me his phone. “What night works best for you?”

“I’m free most evenings. Do you have a day in mind?”

“How about tomorrow?”

“That would work,” I tell him as he pulls into my condo’s parking lot, then point to the end of the building where my unit is located. “I’m on the end down there.”

Chapter Five

PEYTON

I pullinto a parking spot and turn off the engine. I climb out of the truck and walk around to open the door for Stacey, holding out a hand for her to grab as she hops down.

“Thanks,” she says, giving me a small smile.

Thump-thump.My heart beats against my rib cage as thoughts—dirty thoughts—about this woman in front of me swim through my mind.

“I’ll walk you to your door, make sure you get inside safely.”

“My door is just right over there,” she tells me, pointing to a door about thirty feet from where we’re standing next to my truck.

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