Page 43 of Perfect Chemistry

I scoffed. “I have never broken a promise, Gunnery Sergeant Johnson. You better hope your marines are better than mine, or you’re in for a freezing night.”

The CO walked through the range murmuring with our folks. There was a pause between firing lines, and he pulled my platoon in to speak with everyone. I hadn’t planned on joining the huddle until suddenly, every set of eyes turned to look at me. Their expressions were so severe I needed to know what had happened.

I took a roundabout path to get close enough to hear the CO. “- I know this is asking a lot, so I won’t ask for more than one shot from six Marines.”

Six of my marines raised their hands. Everyone was so focused, but their eyes were dancing with a fight I knew very well. He was challenging them.

“Ok. You six, pull one shot. If Gunny Johnson can’t get his wife after this, he’s just not putting in the effort. Agreed?!?”

“OOOOH-RAH!” the marines sounded off.

I choked. What the hell? How the hell did the commander know about our bet, he even recruited my own people to sabotage my win!

“Sir!” I called out and watched his back stiffen. He knew he was caught.

“Staff Sergeant Preston.”

“Are you conspiring with the other party?” I asked, raising one eyebrow.

“Haven’t you got other shit to do, Marine?” he huffed and walked off.

I couldn’t help but laugh and shake my head. I followed behind my troops and started yelling. “Third Platoon, you better think really hard about where your loyalties lies. Semper Fi, Marines. Don’t help cheaters!”

“It’s community service to help our elders!” one of my guys yelled.

“WHO SAID THAT?!?” Tyson suddenly hollered. “SIR, GIVE THAT MARINE A THREE-DAY CHIT!”

My jaw dropped as I stared at the line of marines now cackling and guffawing about how shameless Gunnery Sergeant Johnson was to win a bet.

I had never felt so loved. These marines were family. They were Tyson’s and my family. They wanted to see us succeed as much as we pushed for them to succeed. They wanted us to be happy as much as we hoped for their happiness.

“SHAMELESS!!” I yelled back, laughing and red-faced.

Tyson winked at me and returned to business mode as the next group prepared to walk onto the firing line. I helped keep my Marines moving through the lanes until the last group finally came off the line. As they prepared to ruck back to the unit, I remembered to grab the thermos and food from my pack for Ty.

“Gunny, where’s your gear?” I asked.

He glanced over to where I stood and smiled. “Tower base.”

I walked over to the range control tower and found his pack. I opened the top and put the food and snacks away. As I stood up, I felt a presence behind me. I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.

“What’d you pack me, baby girl?” he whispered when we were close enough.

“Hot soup, some fruit snacks, that jerky you like,” I whispered back.

I watched him look around to make sure no one would see before he pulled me toward him for a kiss. “You should marry me, Katie,” he whispered.

My breath caught in my throat, and I could feel my face heating up. “What did you just say?” My voice sounded hoarse as I fought back the emotional reaction.

Tyson pulled me into a hug and repeated it. “Katie Preston, I am hopelessly head over heels in love with you. From the first day we met, I knew I wanted to marry you. So… You need to take responsibility.” He was so adamant.

I heard a whistle behind me and pulled back from Tyson’s hold to see who had caught us. Tyson pulled my hands so I could face him again, but he was no longer standing before me. I felt like everything in the world had disappeared, except for the Marine kneeling before me.

“Staff Sergeant Katie Preston, will you take responsibility for this old man? You’ve been my work wife for nearly three years. Can we make it official? Will you marry me and be my lawful wife?” he asked, pulling a ring out of his pocket.

I had to blink back my tears because this was Tyson. “You cheating, bastard,” I swore under my breath.

He laughed, and his eyes danced with joy. “Is that an ooh-rah?”

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