Page 9 of The Marine

The door opens and two BHS guys walk in chatting and head for the urinal with a quickhey.

“Sup?” I reply and wash my hands as I come back to the present. Those memories have no place in my life now.

Nor does Briar.

But she’s here, and we’re connected through Ryder and Savannah for now. If it wasn’t for their wedding, I’d book a three-month vacation to Bali...or Antarctica. Somewhere far from here.

Neither of us wants to be in each other’s world.

The memories are too painful.

––––––––

––––––––

IWALK BACK into themeeting room as Penny follows behind me.

“Which room is hot?” she asks as I cringe.

“Doesn’t matter,” I mutter.

“Well I need to tell them which vents to look at. The piping goes through the entire office space ceiling,” Penny continues.

Christ.

“It doesn’t matter.”

Let it go.

“Is anyone else hot?” she asks loudly.

Go away, Penny.

“No,” a round of voices reply.

My eyes automatically navigate to Briar as I sit down in my seat. Neither of us is expecting it, and I can see the surprise on her face as we lock gazes.

Shit.

“Are you talking about me again, Penny?” Marshall says as he walks in, ruffling her gray hair as he passes.

“Marshall Adams, if you do that to me one more time...” Penny fusses with her hair as Briar and I keep staring at one another.

It’s like background noise to our loud connection—my heart thumps like a set of drums.

“She loves it.” Marshall flops down into the seat beside me.

Briar’s green eyes are as bright as the last time I saw them. As bright as the leaves in summertime. She blinks but doesn’t look away as Josh warns Marshall about upsetting Penny.

“She buys the coffee around here. Or not. Remember that.”

Keep looking at me.

I let myself imagine a world where Briar’s forgiven me, where I can cup her face and kiss­­—

“Aidan, we need you to get your suit fitted,” Savannah says and my eyes dart away sharply.

Damn it.

---