Page 26 of A Very Grumpy Navy SEAL

So is Lula.

And that’s enough.

For now.

NINE

Lula

I wake up warm.Like,reallywarm.The kind of warm that comes from having six-foot-four of solid Navy SEAL wrapped around you all night.

A soft sigh escapes my lips as I blink open my eyes.The sunlight is already creeping in through the edge of the curtains, casting golden light across the hotel room walls.I stretch slowly, not wanting to disturb the quiet peace of the morning.

Only...the bed is empty.

Well, half-empty.

My fingers skim across the spot beside me and land on warm sheets, which means Koa got up recently.I roll onto my back and listen for a moment.The faint sound of running water comes from the bathroom, and I smile to myself.

Koa’s in the shower.

I sit up, the sheet slipping to my waist, and glance at the bathroom door.It’s cracked open enough for steam to escape, curling into the air like something out of a daydream.Grabbing my phone off the nightstand, I switch it on.I scroll through the messages from Ledger and open my email.

And there it is.

The email I didn’t think I’d get.

Subject: Job Offer—Project Manager Position

I sit up straighter, my heart racing.My thumb trembles slightly as I open the message and start to read.

Dear Lula,

Thankyou for interviewing with the Baker Sisters Enterprises.We were impressed with your background, your ideas, and your energy.We’d love to offer you the position of Project Manager starting Monday.

The job entails managing scheduling and logistics for the three Baker Sisters businesses: Wet and Wild, Shelf Indulgence, and Masterbeaters.Duties include organizing inventory, coordinating suppliers, running social media, and updating and maintaining the business websites.

We hope you accept, and we look forward to working with you.Please stop by today to fill out the onboarding paperwork.

Warmly,Olive, Saffron, and Maple Baker.

I readit three times to make sure I’m not hallucinating.Then I throw myself back onto the mattress and let out a scream of joy into the pillow.

Koa opens the bathroom door, a towel around his waist and his dark hair dripping onto his shoulders.“Lula?You okay?”

I shoot upright.“I GOT THE JOB.”

His eyes widen, and he grins.“Seriously?”

“Yes!The project manager role with the Baker Sisters.They want me to come in and fill out the paperwork today.I start Monday!”

He grins, and damn it, even freshly showered with a stubbled jaw and water still clinging to his abs, the man is heart-melting.“That’s amazing, Bunny.I’m proud of you.”

My cheeks heat as he crosses the room, leaning down to kiss me soundly before I can say anything else.My heart practically gallops in my chest.It feels so good, so easy, having him here, celebrating with me.

He pulls back slowly.“Want some help getting ready?”

“Only if you want to be late, too,” I tease.

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