Page 6 of SEAL's Secret

“They’ve sped up the timeline for departure,” Commander Madden announced, and Hudson’s fists clenched. “The team goes wheels up at oh-four-hundred tomorrow morning.”

Chapter 3

Layton slipped down the hallway into the guestroom of her sister’s new apartment, smiling. Em might’ve just moved to sunny Hawaii, but it seemed her sister’s new life was off to a spectacular start. She’d barely just arrived but already had a hunky Navy SEAL rushing over to see her before he deployed on an op.

Ah. If only Layton’s own life was that simple. Imagine jetting off across the Pacific to a new job and new apartment without so much as a care in the world.

Smiling wistfully, she swiped the screen on her phone and scanned through some of the pictures. It was bittersweet to look at them. She loved seeing her daughter’s smiling face, but then she missed her like crazy, the pit in her stomach growing. She was lonely without her daughter. Besides that, dealing with her ex-husband would always be a colossal nightmare, at least until Caroline was eighteen. Layton would never have the freedom to move where she wanted, starting over somewhere new. She couldn’t even decide for herself what was best for her child. Not when she shared joint custody with a tiny dick narcissist.

She snorted.

Things had certainly been lacking in the bedroom with her ex, but she hadn’t exactly had time for new dating ventures either after the divorce. She clicked on her text messages. Briefly, her thumb hovered over Hudson’s name. Surely, he was busy packing right about now. Would he text her to say goodbye?

Her phone buzzed at that moment, and she smiled as Hudson’s name flashed on the screen. It was silly to feel butterflies in herstomach, but she couldn’t deny that he made her feel alive in a way she hadn’t in a long time.

Hudson:Bad news. The guys and I are going wheels up in the morning.

Layton:I heard. What about you promising to let me try out your big, comfy bed? ;)

Hudson:Saturday is officially out of the equation, but my bed is just as comfortable tonight, princess.

Layton:Don’t you have to pack? Get a good night’s sleep?

Hudson:I have time for some cardio… ;)

Hudson:I’d planned to take you to dinner, princess, not make a booty call.

Hudson:But damn if you don’t have a delicious looking booty.

Her cheeks flamed and hands trembled as she texted him back.

Layton:Hudson.

Hudson:I can already see you blushing.

She startled, nearly dropping her phone as it buzzed, and then Hudson’s deep voice was coming over the line. “Hey there. I am sorry about having to cancel this weekend. I assumed you’d hear the news from Emersyn, but I wouldn’t ghost you.”

“Aaron just came over to say goodbye to my sister,” she admitted, glancing at her closed door. “I disappeared into the guest room to give them a little alone time.”

“Doesn’t surprise me at all that he’s there,” Hudson said with a low chuckle. “When we briefed with our CO, he wasn’t happy.”

“I thought I’d get to see you again,” she said softly.

“Me too, princess. Did you eat yet?”

“Hours ago,” she admitted.

“I figured.” He cleared his throat. “I could swing by later to say goodbye in person. I know it’s late, but maybe we could grab a quick drink.”

“Yeah?”

“Absolutely. Your sister’s place actually isn’t too far from me. I rent a home that’s only about ten minutes away. I need to gather up some of my gear so I’m ready to roll out in the morning, but what do you say I come by in an hour?”

“I’d like that.”

“Then I’ll see you soon.”

***

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