Page 28 of Protecting Andie

Remi snorted and shook her head. “I miss him when he’s gone, but no, it’s not too much.” Remi shot her a warm smile. “How long are you here for?”

Andie didn’t know how close Rider was with this couple. He’d said they were friends, and he and Kevlar worked together. Worry filled her. Maybe Rider didn’t want her saying anything.“Um, well, I think at least a month.” She looked up at Rider, worried she’d said too much.

“It’s a trial run. Honestly, I hope she stays.”

Relief slid through her. He wasn’t angry at her, saying she would be there for longer than the original agreed-upon time. She needed to remember Rider wasn’t a guy from her past. He wasn’t going to blow up because she said something to one of his friends.

“Hey, Rider, I wanted you to look at something.”

“Sure.” Rider squeezed her hand. “I’ll be right back.”

She smiled and nodded though worry took up residence inside. “Okay.”

Remi nodded. “Yes, this gives us time to gossip about you two.”

Kevlar chuckled. “Just make sure to talk about my good stuff, too.”

Remi watched them enter the house and then turned to her. “I’m so happy to see Rider with someone good.”

“Oh. How do you know I’m good? I mean, I am, but…”

“He stopped by last week and talked about you. The guys don’t tell their friends about women they are dating unless they are someone special. Rider’s not known for being the happiest guy on teams. He is difficult to get to know. He’s a good person, but he isn’t the kind of guy who smiles and jokes all the time. I guess I would describe him as serious.”

Andie nodded. “I see that. I’m still getting used to being with him.”

“I think you should meet the other women.”

“Oh, are there a lot of you?”

Remi shrugged. “There are a lot of SEALs, and I don’t know all the wives, but I do know a few who I get together with. We try to keep each other sane when our guys are out on a mission.”

“Is that really a big thing? Like, do they leave all the time?”

Remi laughed. “It’s not that bad. I just get used to him being around, and then he’s gone without much notice if any. I’ve learned to go with the flow.”

“That’s good. I need to learn to go with the flow. Honestly, I’m shocked Rider wants to be with me.”

Remi made a face and shook her head. “Why? You’re so pretty. I’m plain as a blank wall, but you’re gorgeous.”

Andie burst out laughing. “That’s ridiculous. You’re not plain.”

“Oh please, I know what I am. You are absolutely gorgeous.”

Andie glanced around, making sure the guys weren’t coming out of the house. “I know I’m fat. Girls like me don’t get guys like him.”

“Oh, please. That lie is perpetuated by the media. Guys know what they want, and an unrealistic mannequin type body isn’t always at the top of the list. Heck, real guys don’t care, they just want someone who loves them. Look at me and Kevlar. I’m squishy, and Kevlar is one hundred percent hot.”

“You’re thinner than I am.”

Remi snorted. “But I’m not perfect by media beauty standards. These men want women they can love, not mannequins they have to worry about breaking.”

Andie let go a heavy sigh. “I’m just not used to guys being nice.”

“Ex-boyfriends are exes because of the shit they did. Don’t let him back in by judging Rider by that jerk’s stupid standards.”

Andie laughed. “You’re right. They were stupid standards. He was an idiot, and it’s way past time I really get rid of him for good. I keep trying to remember what I was like before him.”

“So he did a number on you?”

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