Page 8 of The Arrangement

“I can honestly say that is not a reaction I have ever gotten to that proposition before,” he said, sounding equal parts surprised and amused, which only made me laugh more.

When I finally sobered, he squatted beside me, putting his ridiculously thick thighs on display right next to my face. Not interested in falling downthatrabbit hole of memories, I adjusted my attention to his face.

“Come on, let’s get some food in you. I think you might be delirious with hunger.” To emphasize his point, he smacked my stomach. I grunted, and it was a coin toss whether I’d be sick or simply pass out. When it was clear that I wouldn’t puke all over his shoes, he held out a hand to help me up. I grabbed his forearm and let him hoist me upright.

“Sorry, it’s been a long couple of days.” I shook my head. “Scratch that. It’s been a long couple of months.”

“Tell me about it over burgers and beers?” he offered with a small grin.

I wasn’t sure if it was the exhaustion, the laughing fit, or I just needed a friend that desperately, but for the first time in what felt like ages, I actuallyfeltlike smiling back. “Why the hell not? But forget the burgers.”

“What’s wrong with burgers?” he countered with what I would never dare call a pout… out loud.

My grin widened. “Because,Gallagher, you’re in the South, and if it ain’t fried, it ain’t worth it. Plus, I’d sell my soul for some catfish right now. Ooh, and jalapeño hushpuppies.”

“Catfish?” he mouthed, and I chuckled as I walked past him back toward the stairs to the apartment. Fairhope may be a relaxed sort of town, but it did expect some decency. It wasn’t until I was wiping the layers of dust from my arms and legs that I realized ‌I was covered in a multitude of tiny scratches, most of which were bleeding, from my standoff with the potting bench.

Chapter 6

James

Iwas officially worried about Marc. Between his split focus, the number he’d done on that bench, and the hysterical laughter, this was not the Specialist I knew. Though I doubt Marc had any idea that I’d looked into him after that op. Or that I’d visited the hospital while he’d been recovering from the ordeal. Granted, I’d technically visited everyone my unit had pulled out of that camp, but I knew why I’d gone there. Even then he hadn’t been this… on edge. Though that felt like a woefully inadequate description. In truth, it seemed as though he was falling apart.

“Any allergies?” Marc asked over his shoulder as he led the way into one of the many mom-and-pop joints that dotted the town. Not that I’d gotten much of a look at it since I’d arrived.

I shook my head as I took in the assortment of framed photographs decorating the interior, along with haphazard displays of fishing equipment. “Not food-related. Just penicillin.” He stopped moving, and I walked into him. “What?”

“How the hell did you figure that out?”

“My mom’s allergic. Seemed prudent to test it before deploying.”

He let out a low whistle. “No shit.” He turned back around to take his place as next at the counter and shot me a quick glance. “Trust me?”

“Do your worst.” He gave me an evil grin, and I suddenly doubted the wisdom of my challenge. I stepped to the side while he ordered for us and bumped into someone. I quickly reached out to steady the older woman. “Pardon me, ma’am.”

“Well, aren’t you a big ‘un?” she said, patting her impressively teased hair and giving me an appreciative once-over that had my cheeks heating. And here I thought I only had to worry about cougars in the West. “And such good manners,” she added belatedly, fanning herself.

I shifted nervously, unsure how to proceed. Normally, that wouldn’t be an issue. She was a statuesque woman, and I wasn’t above being taught a thing or two by someone with experience. But this wasn’t my town, and I didn’t know how Marc would feel about me flirting with the locals, which this woman clearly was if her weathered tan was anything to go by. Then her gaze shifted behind me, and I released the breath I’d been holding at no longer being the focus of her intense scrutiny.

“Well, I’ll be. If it isn’t Marc Weathers back from bootcamp,” the woman declared congenially. “Now I know you haven’t come to town and not dropped by to see me, young man.” Despite the stern scowl on her face and her hands on her hips, there wasn’t an ounce of censure in her tone.

“Why do you think I’m here, Ms. Judy?” Marc said with a laugh and stepped into a hug that I was positive could have crushed a tank. “Also, been outta bootcamp for a while now.”

“Oh, I know, dear. Let an old woman have her fun.”

He chuckled. “How many times do I have to tell you? You’re not old.”

She glanced at me out of the corner of her eye, then returned her full attention to Marc. “Oh, I know. Have you gone to see your aunt yet? I hear she’s over The Brennity now.”

“Not yet, Ms. Judy. I’d have gone today, but apparently one of her clubs is meeting and I am under no circumstances to interrupt her. I think there might be a gentleman involved. Either that, or she’s about to school some old ladies at poker,” he added with a sly grin that grew into a wide smile.

“That sounds like Petunia all right. Wouldn’t surprise me if the gentleman in question is also the stakes.” She tittered a laugh that sounded like ‌many of the local birds, then grabbed Marc’s face, squeezing his cheeks. “Now, tell me, honey, how long are you here before you’re off to being a hero again?”

It could have been Ms. Judy’s exceptional grip on his face, but I suspected the pink darkening his cheeks had more to do with embarrassment if the look he darted in my direction was anything to go by. He cleared his throat, and to my surprise, she released him. “I’m no hero, Ms. Judy. I just did logistics—supplies and that sort of thing.”

I shot him a look, which he, of course, missed. Like hell he wasn’t a hero. Every single person who put on that uniform put their life on the line. It didn’t matter if they never shipped out. There could be just as many dangers on domestic soil as there were on foreign for a soldier. Apparently, he hadn’t missed my look as much as I thought, because he clapped me on the shoulder.

“Sergeant Gallagher, however, is a real bona fide hero. He leads a team that does search and rescue operations.” He glanced up at me with a relaxed smile, and there was that look again, the one that had captivated me since the moment it first fell on me. “I’m honored to know him.” He squeezed my shoulder, then dropped his hand, and I instantly missed the touch.