Page 27 of Faking it with the Green Beret

ChapterFifteen

GOTTA BE SOMEBODY – Nickelback

When his phone rang,it only took John two steps to get from the kitchen to the sitting area in Hope Harbor and check the name on the screen.

“No, Boss. No. That’s my dinner.” He waved a finger in warning. Boss sat and turned sad eyes from him to the steak on the counter as John answered. “Nate! How you doing?” He edged into the kitchen, crowding Boss back.

“Better after getting your text. Welcome home.”

“Good to be back in the USA.” John broke into song.

Nate laughed. “I was a little worried about timing since you hadn’t officially RSVP’d for you and Britney from the wedding invite.”

“Yeah, about that. Britney and I aren’t together anymore.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. That happen while you were deployed?”

“Yeah. She got back with her ex. Had packed my stuff and they took Boss to the animal shelter.”

“She didn’t.”

“They did.”

“What a bit—. Sorry.”

“Don’t be. You wouldn’t be the first to say it.” Or even the fourth. “I was able to get Boss back. However, I don’t have a permanent address yet. Long story. I’ll tell you about it at the bachelor party. Snap a picture of the invite and send me details of what I need to do and wear, and you know I’ll be there.”

“I’ll count that as an RSVP with no plus one. Shelby might be happy to hear that. She asked about you at the reunion show.”

“She did, huh?”

“If you want to show Britney you’re over her, we can pair you with Shelby at the wedding reception. I’m sure a few pictures of you two on the dance floor would make it into some social media posts or even an entertainment magazine.”

“Britney won’t care. Things with Shelby might be fun for a little while, but long term? I can’t see it. You and Cecilia doing good? She hasn’t turned into a Bridezilla, has she?”

Nate gave a low laugh. “Not even close. She wanted to go down to Costa Rica with just our families, revisit the nature center, and get married at the waterfall rather than do this big to-do for TV. She’s about the marriage more than the wedding. But the studio wanted the live show.”

“They’re footing the bill?”

“Oh, yeah. Wedding venue, reception with a fancy dinner, DJ for dancing, and an open bar. Your suit and hotel room are even covered.”

“Sweet. It’s like a fairy tale. Meet. Fall in love. Boom. Happy ending. Who’s your fairy godmother?” He needed some magic for his love life.

“Parks, the host onSay Yes to the Rose, was my fairy godfather. Want me to tell him that you’re available to be the next lead? Twenty-five women vying to win your heart.”

“Right. I don’t think that would jibe with my life. Especially with the new job and move coming up.”

“Congrats on making the promo list. Major. That’s impressive.”

“I didn’t think I was in the promotion zone, so it was not expected. I hate leaving my team, but the training job at SOCOM is right up my alley. Not constantly deploying might give me a chance to make a relationship work too.”

“If you want what Cecilia and I have, you’ll have to put yourself back out there. Shelby wasn’t the only one disappointed when I said you were seeing someone. You might have to fend them off.”

“I don’t know that I want to try long-distance dating. Deployments are hard enough. Maybe I should bring a date to the wedding to avoid temptation.” He didn’t have any idea who, though. There had to be somebody out there for him. Somewhere.

“Let me know. I’ll keep you down with a plus one. Snapping a picture of the invite now. I’m looking forward to seeing you for the bachelor party, but, hey, no strip clubs. I’ve still got media hounding me, and I don’t want my mom or Cecilia to see my picture on social media or in grocery store tabloids.”

“Roger that. Now that I’m back, I’ll get up with Linc to plan something epic—even without strippers.”

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