Page 7 of A Very Grumpy Navy SEAL

I didn’t sleepa wink last night.My mind wouldn’t shut off.I spent a few hours searching for a suitable house for Lula.It needed to be safe and close to town so she’d have decent internet and access to help if needed.There weren’t many rental properties in Wolf Valley or the surrounding areas, so I moved on to houses that were for sale.I have some money saved, and I wouldn’t mind being Lula’s landlord.That way, I would still have a reason to talk to her and could ensure she was safe.I finally narrowed it down to three houses and sent a few emails to the agents inquiring about seeing them.After that was done, I tried to get some sleep, but it was no use.I was too wound up, too horny and wired to fall asleep.

For the first time in a while, I’m not sure what to do.Being in the military is pretty predictable.We wake up, go to work, receive our orders, complete them, go home, sleep, and start all over again the next day.Here, though, I’m at a loss.

I want Lula.Badly.I haven’t even known her for twenty-four hours, and I’m already head over heels in love with her.

But she’s Ledger’s little sister.Ledger is my best friend, and I would never do anything to hurt him or betray his trust.He sent me out here to look for his sister, not wife her up.

But fuck if I don’t want to.

With a groan, I roll out of bed and head into the bathroom to take a shower to wake me up.I stand under the hot spray, trying to figure out my next move.I know I need to talk to Ledger, but I don’t know how to bring it up to him.How do you tell your best friend you’re in love with his little sister?

I shut off the water and grab a towel to dry myself.My phone is ringing when I walk out of the bathroom, and I hurry to answer it.

“Hello?”I grunt.

“Hey,” Ledger greets.

I sink onto the bed.“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.I’m about to head out, but I wanted to check in with you to see how Lula is really doing.She said she was fine yesterday, but she seemed off.”

“Yeah, she had a rough day yesterday.”

“How bad?”

“Well, she lost her rental house and her job, so pretty bad.”

“Shit,” he hisses.“I knew she shouldn’t have left San Francisco.”

“She would have lost her job regardless, and I’m pretty sure that rent in San Francisco is a lot more than here, so she might be better off staying in Wolf Valley,” I point out.

“But she could find a job more easily in San Francisco,” he argues

I know Ledger is worried about his sister, and I want to put him at ease.He doesn’t need to be worried about Lula while he’s in a war zone.I need to put him at ease so he has his head on straight before he goes out on patrol.

“I’m in town for a few more days.I’ll get her sorted out before I head back to base,” I promise.

“Thanks, man.I owe you one.”

“It’s no big deal.”

“I’ve got to head out.I’ll check in once I’m back at base.”

“Okay.Stay safe.”

“Thanks.”

He hangs up, and I drag my hands down my face.I know I need to tell him about my feelings for his sister, but I need to choose the right time.I don’t want to upset or distract him before he heads out on a mission.

It’s still early, and I know Lula must still be asleep, so I dress and head out to grab us some coffee and breakfast.

I pull on my shoes, grab my phone, hotel key, and wallet, and head out the door.As I lock the door behind me, Lula emerges from her room.

“Morning,” she greets me with a pretty smile.

“Morning.You’re up early,” I comment as I fall into step beside her.

She laughs self-consciously.“Yeah, I was hungry.”

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