Page 15 of Forever Yours on Christmas Eve
He waited, watching those three dots swirl and then stop over,and over again. He raked his hand through his hair, feeling his stomach drop. He’d only known her for a couple of months, and he was terrified he’d just screwed everything up.
I’d like to be kissed.
Everything froze in Sev’s body as he reread that simple line over and over. Then, he broke into a large, mischievous smile.She wanted him to kiss her?
That can absolutely be arranged.
Kelsey turned the tide of the conversation shortly thereafter, and Sev let her lead them back into safer topics. Still, when he signed off with a kissing emoji, she responded with a heart, and that gave him hope that maybe, just maybe, this could be going somewhere.
They continued to text whenever he could. Every now and again, he’d get pulled for a week-long mission where he’d be out of contact. Still, it never seemed to faze Kelsey. Whenever he got back, he’d always drop her a note, and they’d start right back up again where they left off.
How’s your day been, pretty lady?
You are so good for my ego.
You’re pretty good for mine, too.
I wish you were around. It’s been a long week, and I could really go for a drink at the Second Call.
The notion made Sev laugh. She was still in New York, and he was… well, he wasn’t allowed to tell anyone where he was, but he could frame it in a way she’d understand.
I’ll meet you there, but it might take me a minute. Got a long swim ahead of me first.
I’ll start driving and meet you there.
When August rolled around, Sev was starting to struggle. After being told half a dozen times they were nearing the end of their deployment, his unit was still overseas. It was the longest he’d been away from home, and his family felt distant as all their correspondence centered around how their lives were changing. Emma had already started practice for another cross-country season. Nick and Andy were back at college, busy with moving back in and starting classes. Although Sev’s parents were steadfast in their communication, sending messages and care packages on a practical schedule, the predictability of it nearly broke his heart.
Even Kelsey was pressing to get the last of her degree requirements out of the way, delaying her graduation with her major swap to December.
Just before they planned to meet up again.
At a particularly low moment, he found himself scrolling through his text thread with Kelsey. August was when she’d planned on being married, and even though he knew she had no regrets, he’d been taking extra pains to check in with her. He got so much comfort from every conversation they had. There was no denying that over the past few months, she’d been a great friend to him. Not many people understood the nature of his job, and not once did she complain. He knew her being brought up Navy taught her about this, but he was grateful nonetheless.
Just realized the date,sweetheart. Are you doing okay?
I am. A lot better than I thought I’d be eight months ago.
Are you alright?
He wasn’t sure how she could tell, but Kelsey always seemed to have a sixth sense about him. He wasn’t, but he really couldn’t tell her that. He didn’t have the luxury of diving into his feelings while he was deployed. But still…
I’m okay now that I’m here with you.
You always say the sweetest things.
I mean them, too.
You ever take a walk on the Boardwalk in Harbor’s Head? It’s right down the street from the Second Call.
Gosh, yes. It’s beautiful there.
Sunset’s the best time to go. It’s peaceful, quiet. A perfect scene with the perfect person.
Really? How many perfect people have you taken there?
Sev snorted. If Kelsey thought he was a serial dater, she had another thought coming.
I’ve never been there like that with anyone before.
