Page 42 of Army
“I’m training, but maybe after?” She bit the inside of her cheek.
“That’s cool. I can come by the gym. I’m thinking eight or nine. We can get a drink.”
“Nine’s better. There’s a nice neighborhood bar about a half-mile from here.”
“Sounds good. I’ll meet up with you at Champion.”
“Okay. See you.”
Army just stood there staring at her, and she didn’t move either.
“Go on inside. Make sure you put the alarm back on. I’ll wait until you lock up.”
Warmth spread through her at that small gesture, and she stepped back and closed the door.
After locking up and punching in the code, she turned off the lights in the living room and peeked out the window, watching Army walk over to the car, his stride slow and confident. He stood beside the vehicle, tall and straight, the moonlight shining down on his chiseled features, and as if he sensed her presence, he looked over at the window and lifted his chin, then went inside and backed out of the driveway. As he drove away, a sinking emptiness descended on her, and she stayed peering out at the empty road long after the taillights melted into the darkness.
“What am I doing?” Mia muttered, kicking off her boots. The phone buzzed against her thigh and she dug it out, scanning the screen. Ronica’s picture flashed intermittently, and she debated whether to answer or not. The buzzing stopped then started up again, like a persistent fly. A sigh escaped her lips, and she put the phone to her ear.
“What’s up, Ronica?”
“Are you still on your date? I hope I’m not interrupting you in the middle of something.” She giggled.
“I’m alone. Army just left.”
“So early? Was itthatbad?” The sound of Ronica clucking her tongue annoyed the hell out of Mia.
“No. Not at all. We had a great dinner and talked a lot. He behaved.” She threaded her fingers through her hair. “I have to be at the salon early in the morning.”
“Hot, mind-blowing sex is a great reason to forgo sleep. Was it his or your idea to end the date before midnight?”
“Mine. I guess I didn’t trust myself if I invited him in.”
“He’s a hunk. It’s required that you have the best damn sex of your life with him. What’s wrong with you, girl?”
Mia sank down on the couch. “I don’t just want to be another woman he banged. I don’t know. Maybe if we just met at a bar, were both drunk, and would never see each other again, then yeah. I know Taylor, and Army’s real supportive of him.” She reached for the water bottle she’d left on the coffee table earlier that day. “And I know him now. He’s not a stranger anymore.”
“Nice speech, but you wouldn’t have done the hookup if you’d met him at a bar,” Ronica said.
“I guess I’m just not that way. Maybe I’m rebelling against my mom, who was exactly that way. Every damn weekend there was a different guy at our house when I was growing up.” She took a drink of water. “I have to know a guy, but with Army, he’s not a good bet. He doesn’t live here, and he’s got some real trust issues with women. He’s never been in a relationship for Christ’s sake. I want something more than a guy who only has hookups.”
“I can see your point. You’re not a risk taker when it comes to men. Actually, you seem so wary of them all the time. I mean Jorge had to practically beat down your door before you’d started going out with him. Army’s faring much better. I think you could be the one to tame this wild beast, but I get why you may be afraid to take the chance.”
Mia moved her neck from side to side, cracking it. She was tired and didn’t want to hear Ronica psychoanalyze her. Once a week with her therapist was enough, and besides,sheknew the reason for her wariness, but then no one knew what’d happened to her except for Army.Ronica would be so pissed at me for telling him and not sharing it with her.A groan slipped from her lips.
“What’d you say?” Ronica asked.
“Nothing. I’m real tired. We can talk tomorrow, okay?”
“Oh … sure. Did he ask you out again?”
“We’re going for a drink tomorrow night.” She rolled her eyes when Ronica’s excited squeals filled Mia’s ears. “No more questions. I have to go to bed.”
Mia scooped up Snickers and headed upstairs with Pumpkin padding behind her. After a while, she slid between the sheets and placed her arm over her eyes. A carousel of images spun inside her head—all of them featuring Army. She flung her arm off and squeezed her eyes tight as if to push away the pictures. Excitement mixed with fear as she lay there realizing that she’d enjoyed their date a bit too much.
Ugh! I like him too much.
And she had no clue what to do about it.
