Page 32 of SEAL'S Secret Vows

“Are you okay?” Emma asks patting my head lightly. “What did Rogue say?”

“Same thing you did. I told him I’m okay, and I’m telling you, too. I’m good.” She gives a small okay, and returns to her work.

There’s an unspoken sensation hovering around me long after Chase has gone. I try to brush it off but as much as I try to deny it, there's a part of me that knows there’s something more.

Even if I shouldn’t—even if I can’t—I feel something for him. More than gratitude, and more than friendship.

This wedding was fake. But my feelings… I’m starting to think they’re not.

Chapter eleven

Chase

As I sit alone in my office, the memory of the kiss still fresh in my mind, I can't shake the feeling that something has shifted between Nora and me over the last week.

We’ve moved around each other tentatively, like one of us might bring up the kiss—I’ve wanted to, but I also really haven’t wanted to. It’s complicated. There's a newfound awareness, a tension that lingers in the air whenever we're together, and I can't help but wonder if she feels it, too.

What if she doesn’t feel anything? Did I make a mistake kissing her?

I’m a coward,I think. I don’t want to risk the tentative peace we have, not when things are almost ironed out for our mission.

And, as far as I know, Ethan hasn’t gotten back a hold of her since I threw him out of here last week. I doubt I’ve seen the last of him, but that’s still good.

My thoughts are interrupted when my phone rings, and I answer it without looking at the caller ID, half expecting it tobe another mundane task demanding my attention. But, to my surprise, it's my sister on the other end of the line, her voice bright and cheery as always.

“Hey, Chase! How are you doing?” she asks, her voice bubbly in contrast to my sour mood.

“Hey, I’m good, Lauren. What’s up?”

“Guess what?” As per usual, Lauren gives me no time to guess. “I'm coming over for a visit this weekend, I got a few days off from work,” she announces, her excitement palpable even through the phone. She followed her passion for saving others just like me, but in a totally different way working as a doctor. I've always felt she needs longer breaks from working long hospital shifts.

I try to muster up some enthusiasm for her upcoming visit. “That's great, Lauren. I can't wait to see you,” I reply, though my heart isn't quite in it.

There's a moment of silence on the other end of the line, and I can tell that Lauren senses something is off. “Is everything okay, Chase? You don’t sound excited,” she says, her tone laced with concern.

“Just work, that’s all. Tell me how the hospital’s been treating you.”

“No, Chase. I’m not buying that. I can tell something’s wrong.” Lauren and I share a close bond formed over the years having gone through so much together. She might be two years younger than I am, but we have always had a connection more akin to twins.

I hesitate for a moment, unsure of how much to reveal. But then I remember that Lauren has always been able to offer the right advice; she’s the one person I can trust with personal issues like this.

“It's someone,” I admit finally. “Things have been... complicated lately.”

“Someone? Hmm… and who’s that?”

“You don’t know her. Her name’s Nora. Nora Evans. She’s one of the intelligence analysts here.”

There’s a brief moment of silence, and I know Lauren is shocked. Hell, if there was any truth to this, I’d be shocked, too.

There’s some truth. We did kiss…

“Interesting.” Lauren finally says. “I’d love to meet her. I mean I’d love to meet any lady that’s bothering my brother like this. But go on, what happened between you two?”

“We had a moment, and I can’t seem to get her out of my head.”

“Alright, tell me everything. I just might be able to help.”

Lauren listens quietly as I pour out my heart to her, detailing the events of the past few days and the whirlwind of emotions that have consumed me since that kiss.

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