Page 24 of Faking It With The SEALs

I nod my head and reach for my phone and wallet that is on the side whilst making my coffee to go.

“Why don’t you look into him? See if you can find out anything that may help.”

“Yeah, I might do,” he sighs, pulling a laptop towards him. I finish making the coffee and place his mug in front of him before heading towards the door, my travel mug in my hand.

“Let me know if anything turns up with him or anything else. I’ll have my phone on me at all times.”

“Have a good time, say I to Chels for me!” he calls before I close the door behind me.

14

Chelsea

“Where is it you are going tonight, Mummy?” Luna asks as I pack her shoes into her overnight bag.

“I am going to stay at a hotel in York to help out a friend,” I answer, rummaging through her drawers looking for matching socks. Why can I never find a matching pair in this house?

“Which friend? Do I know them?” she asks, bouncing on the side of the bed where she’s sitting.

“No honey, you haven’t met them,” I answer as I give up on the socks and start looking for half-decent pyjamas for her. “Remind me to take you shopping next week. Your clothes are all getting too small for you,” I sigh, grabbing a nightie and placing it in the bag.

“Is it a man you are going with? Kylie said you are going to spend the night with a man and go on a date.”

I turn my attention to Luna and frown.

“Why did she say that?”

Luna shrugs, smiling at me.

“I think it’s good if you’re going on a date. You should get to have fun like other mums.”

I sit on the bed beside her and take her hand in mine.

“I don’t need to date; I have you,” I say, smiling at my sweet girl, who smiles back at me.

“I know, Mummy. But you must miss dating a little. Not all men are like Daddy. Some could make you happier than you already are.” As always, mentioning her father causes my breath to catch in my chest and my stomach to tighten.

“I know, honey, but I’m not sure I will ever date again, and I’m okay with that.” I don’t want her to ever think I am unhappy with our lives because I’ve never been happier than I am right now.

“Okay, as long as you are happy.” She leans in and hugs me around the neck. “But just so you know, I would be happy if you had a boyfriend.” She kisses my cheek and jumps off the bed before rushing out of the room. “I’m going to get my loom bands! We are making bracelets for all our friends,” she calls as I hear her bounding down the stairs like a herd of elephants.

???

“Are you sure you don’t mind having her all night?” I ask Penny for the tenth time since I arrived five minutes ago. She rolls her eyes, grips my shoulders, and pushes me towards the door.

“Stop asking and looking for a reason to cancel. You had a great time with him when you went out the other night. Tonight won’t be any different.” We come to a stop at the front door, and Penny opens it. “Luna! Come and say goodnight to Mummy!”

Luna comes running down the stairs, closely followed by Kylie and runs straight into my arms.

“Have a great time, Mummy! Don’t forget to take a photo of your dress!” she kisses my cheek before rushing back up the stairs with Kylie, not giving me a chance to kiss her back.

“Bye, honey! Be good, okay!” I call up after her. She turns and waves before disappearing out of view.

“See, she’ll be fine. She’s always as good as gold when she’s here. Go and have a good time with the sexy American, and if you can, get some action afterwards!” Penny winks at me.

“I am not sleeping with him!” I hiss through my teeth, quickly looking up the stairs to ensure Luna didn’t hear anything.

“If you say so.” Penny opens her front door and starts guiding me out of it. “Just go and let your hair down. You deserve it. I hear there’s a spa in the hotel. See if you can get a massage off a hot guy if the marine isn’t willing to put out,” Penny laughs before slamming the front door closed so I can’t shout at her. I can still hear her laughing from inside the house.

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