Page 8 of The Stone Family Warrior

Her phone buzzed again. Shane seemed insistent on calling her.

She stared at the phone but didn’t answer.

Already, Trent didn’t like the guy. “Do you need to get that?”

She pushed decline. “No. I need to go. It was… actually really nice running into you, Trent.”

He grinned, at her use of the word ‘actually.’ He nodded. “It was nice to run into you, too. I can’t believe it’s been so long since all those times on the beach.”

She quirked a smile. Clearly her thoughts were in the same place. “Those were fun memories, weren’t they?” She grunted. “When mybiggestproblem was that I had a crush on you and you had a crush on Cheryse.”

Chemistry simmered between them. “Man, I hate my sixteen-year-old self.”

A smile played at her lips. “Really, it’s nice to think about those problems.”

He wondered what problems she was facing now. Where was the ex, and who was Shane? A boyfriend?

“I’m going to go.” She moved toward a red Mustang.

“That your car?” He blew out a low whistle, admiring it. “I like it. Can I get a ride?” He hadn’t really meant to ask, but … why not?

She stopped next to the passenger side door. “Are you serious?”

He opened the door for her. “You could give me a ride to the inn, and then we could get dinner if you want.”

“I told you, I’m meeting my brother.”

“Right.”

“Plus, I don’t date.”

Being shut down had never stopped him in dating or as a SEAL; it’s what made him good at both. “But you’ll give me a ride, right? You saw Hunter leave me.”

She got into the car. “Seems like you wanted to be left.”

“I don’t want to be left now.”

“Goodbye, Trent Stone.”She started the engine and put the top down. “It was nice seeing you.”

No, there was no way he was not getting a ride with her. He put his hand on the car. “C’mon, Lib, just give me a ride to the inn. I don’t know if you know or not, but Trey and Ava got married and they run the place. It’s my turn to help out the next week, and I should get back there. Please.” He pointed to the passenger seat. “You have an extra seat, and it’s on the way.”

She sized him up. “I would think a Navy SEAL would take this opportunity to be in shape and run to the inn.”

Was she giving him crap? He liked it. “Give me a ride,” he said softly. “For old times’ sake.”

She hedged. “Just a ride?”

He got a whiff of suntan lotion. What was he picking up? Vanilla? Coconut? He didn’t know what scent it was, but it smelled good. “Just a ride.”

She hesitated, then sighed. “Fine, but first of all, you need to remember I’m not the type to be babe slayed so easily.”

“You heard that?” he asked, half horrified and half amused. “Hunter is going to pay. That’s the stupidest nickname and totally not true.”

“Don’t believe you.”

He didn’t argue. “What is the second problem?”

“What?”

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