Page 15 of No Mistake

“Navy seems a long way from farming?”

“Yeah. I hated farming. Detested having to get up and help out. Thought it was the worst thing in the world. Got out as soon as I could and came to LA thinking I might be an actor. That didn’t turn out so well, and then I met this guy in a bar. He was a retired SEAL. We got talking about it. Sounded cool. Next thing I know, I was enlisting.”

“Actor, huh? What did your parents think?”

Ryan smiled as he remembered his parent’s reaction.

“They thought I was living in a dream world which, to be fair, I was. I’d never done any acting, had any drama lessons. Just thought I could show up in LA and walk into a role. You know, like they do in the movies. Then when I told them I wanted to enlist, I think they still thought I was dreaming. And once again they were right. Despite talking to a vet, I though being in the Navy would be getting to be a hero, wearing a uniform, and getting laid regularly.” He grinned and Sophie laughed. “I got a huge wake-up call on day one.”

“But you are a hero, do wear a uniform and, from what I’ve seen, are never short of female attention.” She raised her eyebrows as if to challenge him.

“I’m no hero. I just do my job. I sometimes wear a uniform and perhaps there has been a few women.” No point denying it. He knew he had a reputation as a ladies' man. “But I went in blind, no clue how hard the training was, the chain of command, the rules, the expectations. I was very naive.”

“You stuck it out, though.”

“Yeah. Dex was a big part of that. We had each other’s backs from day one. I met Dex the day I enlisted. And Kelly.”

“The start of an amazing friendship. What did your family think once they realized you did enlist?”

“They were shocked at first. Mom cried. Now, they’re proud.” He shrugged. “The funny thing is, when I go home to visit, I have a whole new appreciation of the farm. I like getting my hands dirty.”

“It’s probably easy compared to your training.”

“Yeah, you’re not wrong.”

“So do you get back to Dallas much?”

“I try to. You know, crazy schedules and all that,” he mocked.

Sophie’s phone buzzed. “Sorry, I have to go.”

“No problem. Go ahead. I’ll clean up and get out of your hair.”

Sophie paused at the door. “Thank you for dinner, it was nice. And for the flowers.”

“You’re welcome.”

IT WAS EIGHT THIRTY by the time Sophie finally finished up. Exhausted, she had sore feet and her back ached. She was looking forward to a nice hot bath and a glass of wine. Leaving the hospital, she turned right toward her car. Ryan was leaning against his Mustang in front of her.

“Hey, gorgeous.”

“Ryan, what are you doing here? You haven’t been waiting for me all this time?” Oh man, he looked so damn good, standing there, tattooed arms folded across his chest. His very broad chest, the muscles outlined in the tight gray t-shirt he wore.

“Maybe.”

“But you know I have my car.”

“I do.”

Sophie shook her head. “You’re crazy. Just friends, remember?”

Unfolding his arms, he walked toward her. “Let me walk you to your car.”

“Ryan. Seriously. I can walk myself to my car.”

“I know you can. I want to walk with you.” His voice was so soft, his eyes boring into hers. Butterflies fluttered like crazy in her stomach and she looked away shyly.

“OK.” Jesus, what was she doing?

---