Page 12 of A Very Grumpy Navy SEAL

We eat in silence for a bit, and I stare out the window, taking in the charming town and the people walking past.

I try to look professional as our server returns, giving her my best smile.“Hey, you guys wouldn’t happen to be hiring, would you?”

She gives me a sympathetic smile.“No.Sorry, sweetheart.”

My hopes crash and burn.“Thanks anyway.”

Once we finish eating, Koa insists on paying, and I don’t argue with him this time.I’m too full and too emotionally wrung out from another day of failed job hunting to care.

We walk back to the hotel in silence.It’s a comfortable quiet, the kind that feels like a shared secret.

When we reach the top of the stairs, I pause in front of my door.“Do you, um, want to come in?Just hang out for a bit?I could use the company.”

His whole body goes still, and he hesitates.I know he’s about to reject me.

Slowly, he shakes his head.“I shouldn’t.”

The words hit like a slap.I step back, embarrassed.“Oh.Right.Of course.I mean, why would you want to hang out with me?”

“Lula,” he says quickly, stepping toward me.“That’s not what I meant.”

I fumble for my key.“Right.Okay.”

He huffs out a frustrated breath.“It’s not what I meant, Lula.”

Something inside me snaps.Maybe it’s exhaustion, or maybe I’m sick of being rejected, but I turn on him and snap, “Then what did you mean?”

He exhales like the words are heavy.“I want to.Fuck, you have no idea how much I want to, but you’re Ledger’s little sister.”

I fold my arms over my ample chest and glare at him.“And?I’m not property.He doesn’t own me.I’m my own person, Koa.I can do whatever I want."

“I know that, but you’re important to him.And he’s important to me.”

“And I’m not important.Not to you,” I fill in.

His eyes flash with frustration.“Of course you are.That’s the damn problem.”

I turn away, my heart pounding.“You know what?Just...forget it.”

“Lula—"

But I’m already unlocking my door.I step inside and shut it, leaning against the wood as the tears I’ve been holding back all day spill onto my cheeks.

Why does this always happen?Just when I think something good might be starting, the universe yanks it away like a cruel joke.

I take a deep breath, toe off my shoes, and head to the bathroom.I need to wash today off.Then I’ll feel better.

The hot shower scalds away some of the ache in my chest, but not all of it.I stand under the spray for way too long, letting the water wash away my tears.By the time I turn off the shower, I’m wrung out and emotionally raw.

I wrap myself in a towel, dry my hair, curl up on the bed, and plug in my phone.Scrolling through my contacts, I land on Ledger’s name.I need to talk to him and find out what exactly he told Koa.

I press call.

He picks up on the second ring, and I know he must be eating.I can hear people shouting in the background and the clink of silverware on plates.

“Lula?Everything okay?”He asks, raising his voice to be heard over the noise.

“Did you tell all your friends to stay away from me?Like, warn them not to date me or something?”

---