Page 7 of SEAL'S Secret Vows

“Now, now… not so fast. The condition is that you think you’re capable enough. Are you, Chase?”

“I am, Nora.”

“Great.” She drums her fingers on the sink and smiles mischievously. I should have asked what the challenge was before I agreed. I hope I won’t regret this.

“What’s the challenge?”

“It’s a music challenge titledName That Tune. Since you like music and hardly have any fun, I’d like to help you out. We’ll play snippets of songs, and we’ll take turns guessing the song title and artist as quickly as possible. We’ll set a timer, so no cheating.”

I immediately regret everything. “Oh no, I won’t be doing that.”

“Oh, yes you will! But there’s a catch.”

Now she’s got my attention. “A catch?”

“Yes. The loser…. has to… deliver a silly singing telegram to the entire team!” She exclaims the last word, clearly coming up with this on the spot. She starts nodding, excited about her own idea. “You have to compose a song or parody based on a theme provided by the winner and deliver it in person or via a video call. If you lose, the entire team—or maybe everyone at base—should look forward to a live music performance by their lieutenant commander!”

Warning bells ring in my head at that as she lets out a loud laugh.This is a different side of Nora, I muse. “Who would have thought you could come up with such crazy ideas?” My brows furrow deeply, and my lips press together in a tight line forming a scowl as I contemplate her challenge.

“No way!” I protest.

“Yes way! You already agreed. There’s no going back. I’ll fix a date, and let you know. Also, to get you interested, the winner gets to send the loser on any errands throughout that day. I'll start thinking of errands to send you on and maybe a suitable nickname, right, Titan?” Titan barks in response as she tosses him a treat enthusiastically at that.Traitor!

“May the best man win!” Nora says cheerily and turns her attention elsewhere in a bid to end the conversation. Something tells me she won’t budge so I don’t push further.

A loud clang comes from behind me, and I resist the urge to jump straight to the kitchen. She most likely dropped some spoons while trying to arrange them. I’d told her not to do anything, but she’s been hellbent on helping out since, in her own words, she had to do something to show gratitude and she’s doing a good job of it.Add clumsy to her list of attributes, I think, albeit fondly.

“Here.” She puts down a cup of warm, leftover coffee from breakfast beside my laptop, and sits on a chair adjacent to me, taking a sip from a cup of her own.

“Thanks.” I reply and lift the cup to my lips peering at her above the rim of the cup. Her eyes dart around the house before landing on a folder on the table. She reaches for it without a second thought, and I snatch the folder up. “No!”

She draws back sharply, shocked at my response.

“That's off limits!” I snap.

“I’m sorry. I didn't know.” She withdraws and takes another sip, her eyes darting elsewhere.

“It's fine.” I reply, my annoyance fading. I’m just not used to sharing spaces.

“I should leave,” she says suddenly, and I start feeling bad.

“What, now? Why? Is it because of the way I reacted?”

“No. I think I should go to my place now. I don't think anyone will be looking for me anymore. I also texted my parents not to worry so they know I’m fine.”

“But what if they are? You've spent a few days here already. And if they've looked for you at home and did not find you, they'll give it a few more days and come searching for you again.”

She shrugs. “I have to deal with them eventually.”

I nod. “I just… I don’t want you to feel unwelcome. You can stay as long as you want.”

“Thank you. But Iamintruding in your space. I really should go, you know...” She shrugs again. “Clear my head, sort out what's next.”

I look at her uncertainly. “Nora, you’re welcome to stay here. Really.”

She looks at me, eyes calculating like I’m one of her spreadsheets. Then, she deflates a little. “I’m bored,” she admits.

I smirk. I’ve got just the thing for that. “Well, since you want to clear your head, I have an idea. It just might work.” She gives the same suspicious look that she gives when I'm about to set her on a long task. “Yes. From the look on your face, you already know it's a mission.”

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