Page 61 of Finding Carly
“Of course,” Gideon said immediately. “I apologize for taking up your time.”
“It’s fine,” Carly told him.
Gideon nodded, giving them a wide berth as he headed toward a white pickup truck with the logo for the Honolulu Zoo on the doors. He drove away as Jag and Carly continued down the sidewalk.
“That was interesting,” Carly said.
Jag grunted.
“You don’t believe him?” she asked.
He heard the stress in her voice and didn’t want to add any more angst to her already very long and tiring day. “I’m just wondering who else we’re going to see today. Maybe Luke and his girlfriend are eating at the Korean place across the street. Or maybe Jeremiah and Beau will pop out of the surf shop down the road. Oh, I know, maybe Jamie’s inside Food For All, donating Coca-Cola from the bottling plant.”
Carly giggled.
Jag’s heart eased at hearing the sound.
“I told you. It’s as if the floodgates have opened. I don’t know what to think about seeing all of Shawn’s buddies everywhere I go.”
“Me either. I knew Oahu was small, but this is kind of ridiculous.”
“Agree,” Carly said. She walked closer to him and bumped her elbow against his arm. Both their hands were full so they couldn’t hold hands or touch any other way. “I’m glad you were here.”
“Me too.”
“Maybe I’ll stay inside and talk with Lexie while you go back to the car and get the other stuff?” It was a statement and question all at the same time.
“Good idea.”
“You don’t mind?” she asked.
“Of course not. Mustang would kick my ass if I complained about walking back and forth to my car three times. He’d probably make me do burpees for an hour straight while wearing my pack,afterrunning a half marathon on the beach in the deep sand.”
Carly laughed again. “He wouldn’t do that. He’s too nice.”
Jag lifted a brow. His team leader definitely wasn’t nice when it came to working out and making sure his team was in shape.
He’d unload the rest of the donations quickly and looked forward to his evening with Carly. Jag never thought he’d get to a place in his life when he’d be comfortable having a woman in his space. But Carly seemed to be able to banish his demons without even trying. Though…they hadn’t had sex yet. He couldn’t help but worry about that. He couldn’t lose Carly, and therefore would do whatever it took to make sure she didn’t realize how nervous he was about making love.
The problem was him, not her, but he was smart enough to know women didn’t like it when men said that.
For tonight, he’d do his best to spoil his woman. She could stay in the bath as long as she wanted, and he’d make dinner. He’d even watchThe Voicewithout complaining. He secretly enjoyed the show, but they both got a kick out of his bitching about it.
It was a weird thing to both dread and crave the moment when they’d move their relationship to the next level. That time was coming soon, Jag felt it in his bones. Their make-out sessions had gotten more and more intense, and it was only a matter of time before neither could hold back any longer.
“What’s that smile for?” Carly asked as they reached the door to Food For All.
Jag hadn’t realized he was grinning, but it didn’t surprise him. Anytime he thought about being with Carly, he was happy. Pushing the sliver of nervousness out of his mind, Jag said, “I was thinking about you.”
Carly smiled. “Yeah?”
“Yeah,” he confirmed. “Come on, let’s get this done so I can get you home.”
“Sounds good.”
* * *
Shawn’s accomplice was getting impatient. He’d planned on watching and waiting longer, to wait until the bitch had gotten truly complacent, but he had to take action soon. That asshole she was living with was going to be a problem. He knew it. He’d have to make his move when the boyfriend wasn’t around.
