Page 27 of Finding Kenna
Marshall had offered to come into the city to pick her up and bring her back to the base, but she’d declined. Kenna liked him, but she wasn’t ready for him to see where she lived. It wasn’t smart, even though he seemed amazing and she felt safe with him.
Her phone vibrated with a text and she looked down and smiled at seeing the note from Marshall.
Marshall: Looking forward to today. It feels like it’s been a month since I’ve seen you.
Kenna: Me too (and please tell me you’re wearing your uniform! Hubba hubba!). And I feel the same way.
Marshall: I’ve got on my BDUs. Nothing special.
Kenna rolled her eyes. Guys had no clue how much women liked a man in uniform. There was no explaining why, at least for her. It just was. And she couldn’t freaking wait to see Marshall in his. He was hot in jeans and a black T-shirt. But camouflage? Be still her heart.
Marshall: Cat got your tongue?
Kenna: Just trying not to drool on my phone, thinking about you in a uniform. Any chance I’ll get to see you in your dress whites someday?
Marshall: I’m sure that can be arranged. ;)
Shit, had he just used the winky emoji? Kenna couldn’t stop smiling.
Kenna: You sure you still have time to show me around today?
Marshall: Absolutely. Nothing short of world war 3 would keep me from our date today.
Kenna: So it’s a date?
Marshall: Yes.
One word. Kenna could practically hear his emphatic response.
Kenna: Cool. So I’ll meet you in the parking lot for the Pearl Harbor memorial in an hour?
Marshall: I can still come and pick you up if you want.
Kenna: I know, and I appreciate it. But…as much as we’ve talked in the last week and as much as I like you, I’m not comfortable with you knowing where I live yet. Sorry.
Marshall: Don’t apologize. I’m not comfortable with you knowing where I live yet either.
Kenna wasn’t sure if he was kidding or not. It was hard to tell that kind of thing over text. And since he didn’t use any funny emojis to help her figure it out, she decided to just move on.
Kenna: You’ve got a yellow Jeep, right?
Marshall: Yup. I’ll text you when I get close. Wouldn’t want any other guys with yellow Jeeps horning in on my date.
Kenna sent an eye-rolling emoji.
Kenna: Not sure you have to worry about that.
Marshall: Their loss is my gain. I need to go. I’ll see you in an hour. Drive safe.
Kenna: I will. Later.
Marshall: Later.
Kenna sat back on her couch and couldn’t help but smile. One of the things she liked most about Marshall was how much he made her laugh. He simply made her happy, which felt really good.
He’d proven to be a good listener as well. One night after she got home from work, and after an especially hard shift with table after table of assholes, she’d sent him a brief note about how tired she was and wishing him a good night. He’d immediately messaged back and asked if he could call.
They’d ended up talking for an hour. Kenna had gone on and on about the more frustrating parts of her job and the various ways people acted like jerks. He hadn’t blown her off or made jokes. He’d listened. Then he’d shared some of his shitty experiences with humans.
