Page 17 of A Soldier's Return

“Thanks,” Skye said, eyes wide with excitement.

Melissa tried to hide her frown. She really wished he hadn’t said that. Eli would forget he made the offer, but Skye wouldn’t.

Her daughter had spent entirely too much time being disappointed by empty promises. She didn’t need more.

Maybe she was being too cynical. Maybe he wouldn’t forget.

She distracted Skye with their favorite game of I Spy for the rest of the meal, and Eli joined in willingly. He had a unique eye and stumped both her and Skye more than once with the things he observed.

“I’m totally stuffed now,” Skye said after two slices. She eased back in her chair and placed her hands over her belly.

Eli chuckled. “That was delicious, wasn’t it? The best pizza I’ve had in a long time. I forgot how delicious the crust here is.”

“They have a magic recipe,” Melissa said.

“They must, especially if they can make it calorie-free.”

His smile made her hormones sigh. Seriously, this was becoming ridiculous.

After they boxed up their leftover pizza, Eli insisted on paying the tab. She would have argued, but her friend Sage and her husband, Eben, part owners of Brambleberry House, came in at that moment and distracted her. By the time she waved goodbye to her friends, the server had already completed the bill.

“Next time is my treat,” she said.

“I’ll look forward to it,” he answered. His words had a ring of sincerity that again warmed her far more than they should.

They walked outside into a lovely April night, rich with the scent of the ocean, with flowers, with new life.

She could hear the low murmur of the waves along with the constant coastal wind that rustled the new leaves of the trees next to the restaurant.

Oh, she had missed it here. She had lived in many beautiful, exotic places since she’d left Cannon Beach, but none of them had been the same. She had lived here longer than anywhere, from the age of thirteen to eighteen. It was home to her.

“That was lovely,” he said when they reached their respective vehicles in the parking lot. “The most enjoyable meal I’ve had in a long time. Thank you for inviting me.”

“You’re welcome. Thank you for insisting on paying for it.”

“Yeah. Thanks,” Skye said cheerfully. “It was fun.”

Melissa couldn’t make a habit of it. She was far too drawn to him.

“Have a good evening, Eli.”

Their gazes met, and those shadows prompted her to do something completely uncharacteristic. She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek, intending it only as a warm, friendly, welcome-home kind of gesture.

He smelled delicious, of soap and male skin, and it was all she could do not to stand there and inhale.

She forced herself to ease away, regretting the impulse with every passing moment.

“Good night, Melissa. Skye, it was a pleasure. Persuade your mom to take you to my dad’s place sometime soon so you can practice your pool game.”

“I will! Thanks.”

“See you Monday,” she said.

“Put some ice on that wrist,” he answered, his voice gruff.

She nodded and ushered her daughter to her vehicle. Though her wrist still ached, the injury seemed a lifetime ago.

Chapter Four

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