Page 4 of Summer with a Navy SEAL

“I’m staying here so I can finish the job in time for you to come home in…” she pauses, glancing at the clock on the bedside table, “three days. Yet here you are.”

“I’m still not leaving.” I glance at the living room below. “Where’s the couch anyway?”

“Your mother ordered a replacement for the last one we had delivered,” Willy replies. “We’ve already gone through three of them but at least this time, she finally settled on the one I originally chose when we started the project two months ago. One that fits the original design of the place. Heaven forbid I let your mother modernize everything.”

“That’s nice of you to consider that,” I mutter.

“It’s for professional reasons, Hollister. Nothing at all to do with you.”

We glare at each other, the tension crackling between us like electricity. I can’t help but notice how her oversized T-shirt drapes over her body, hinting at the tantalizing secrets underneath.

Willy breaks the standoff first, sighing heavily as she tosses the baluster on the bed. “Why don't you just go home? I'm sure your mother would love to see you again. She could introduce you to a nice trust fund baby, and you two could sail off into the sunset on your matching yachts.”

“No one knows I’m back yet and I’d like to keep it that way,” I retort. “Besides, you know how my mother can be with her matchmaking.”

This time, Willy shrugs, crossing her arms in front of her ample breasts. “Not my problem.”

I force myself to keep my eyes on her face, but it's a losing battle. Willy Genaro is all grown up and looking mighty fine.

"So you're an interior designer?" I say, needing to change the subject.

"Surprised?" She raises an eyebrow as if daring me to make fun of her profession.

"Far from it. I always knew you were destined for great things.”

“Wow,” she chuckles wryly. “Brogan Hollister saying something nice to me for a change? That's new. What’s next, you apologizing for being such a jerk to me back then?”

I clear my throat. “As a matter of fact, I do want to apologize. I’m sorry for being an asshole to you when we were kids, Willy. Preston and I should have known better but we didn't. We were young, dumb, and full of… well, you know.”

Willy studies me for a few moments. “It’ll take morethan a simple apology for me to forgive you, Hollister, but I’m also not planning on spending one more second recounting all the hell you put me through when I need to sleep. I’ve got a lot of things to do tomorrow.”

“About that. Why don’t I help you?” I ask. “Whatever it is you need–”

“I need you to leave.”

“Except that.”

“Why not?”

“You know why. Besides, you need help.”

“No, I don’t. I was planning on asking Crystal to help me.”

I scoff. “And risk breaking one of her nails? I’m sorry, but no. You need me.”

She glares at me. “Why are you so stubborn?”

“Speak for yourself,” I say, grinning.

“I’m tired of arguing with you.” She stifles a yawn. “Look, since you refuse to leave, we need to figure out what to do about our bed situation. And no, sharing is not an option.”

“Why not? It’s not like we’re strangers’” I do my best to sound as innocent as possible. “We’ll set boundaries and keep to our own sides. There’s an extra pillow and we can use that to divide up the bed. I promise I won’t try anything. Scout’s honor.”

“Alright.” She snatches the baluster from the bed and points it at me. “But if you so much breathe on me, Hollister, I'll kick you in the balls so hard you’ll be singing soprano for a week.”

CHAPTER THREE

WILLY

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