Page 32 of Not Faking it with the Colonel

“It caught me by surprise too. First, the general. Now, your daughter. I’m a little scared of who’s next.”

“I’ll do a better job of watching for Jace and Alex. I should have asked Megan if they were coming tonight.”

“Your kids are close, then?”

“Very. Comes with all the moves being military kids. She’s only two years older, but she has that mom gene in her.” He liked the fact that they were close. If he had to change duty stations, his kids would still have each other. He could find new golf partners at a new post, but without his wife to make social connections and keep him balanced, he’d be very much alone.

* * *

After talking nearlynon-stop about the USO the past thirty minutes to people who’d come for the game, Erin took a drink of tepid water. They made it through the last twenty minutes without seeing Graham’s son or anyone else he knew. A few stragglers hurried past when Tommy gave the order to start packing up.

“Did you want to head in for the national anthem and the first pitch?” Erin asked Graham.

“I’ll stay and help. The game’s not why I came.” His hand scorched a trail along her lower back to her hip.

Let’s skip the game and go someplace private.Like she’d really say that.

They packed up the remaining swag. While she and Nicky folded the tablecloths, Graham helped Tommy take down the canopy and then offered to help return the loaded wagons to the van. “Do you want to go on in?” he asked Erin.

“I’ll wait for you.”

The way he looked at her added more sparks to the fire he stoked.

“I take it you and the colonel haven’t been dating long since you hadn’t met his daughter,” Nicky said as Tommy and Graham wheeled off the supplies.

“We’ve been out a few times the past couple of weeks.”

“He certainly seems smitten with you, and it looks mutual.”

“He is great.” With meeting General and Mrs. McKittrick, then Megan and Reece, it was like the universe was sending attention-getting billboards to proceed with this dating arrangement. Maybe it would be enough for Graham to keep his command.

Seeing the smile on his face as he made his way back to her now made her heart pick up its pace. Her reasons for agreeing to this fake relationship had as much to do with how she felt when she was with him as much as getting access to a team for research.

Posing as a couple wasn’t going to be the hard part. Staying in her lane to avoid getting on the highway to heartache might be a different story.

ChapterThirteen

Despite the lopsided game,they stayed until the end. Graham took Erin’s hand as they exited the stadium with Tommy and Nicky.

“Thank you both for volunteering. I wish it had been a more exciting game,” Tommy said.

“No worries. It was fun.” Especially with Graham testing Erin’s baseball knowledge to tease her.

“Good night,” Tommy said. He and Nicky turned to the left.

“I parked at the Special Ops Museum.” Graham led Erin to the crosswalk. “I was having second thoughts about fake dating you, but after seeing General McKittrick and his wife tonight, I guess we’ll have to give it a go.”

“You’re a terrible liar.” She laughed.

“Which is why it’s good I won’t have to fake anything since I really like being with you.” He walked her to the passenger side of his car and then scanned the parking lot.

“See anyone you know?”

“No, but I have this feeling I’m being watched, which I had the whole game. I’m just not sure if it’s Megan or the general. Makes for a tricky balance deciding how thoroughly I should kiss you.”

“I just went weak in the knees.”

He gave a throaty grumble. “Then this is just for starters.”

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