Page 8 of Summer with a Navy SEAL

“Six months,” I reply as my brother’s arches an eyebrow. “Most of it has been online but we just celebrated our six-month anniversary last night. That’s why I surprised her by coming over.”

For a few moments, no one speaks, Mother and Preston’s gazes shifting between me and Willy until his phone beeps.

“Mother, I have a meeting in fifteen minutes,” he says, cocking his head toward the door. “We should get back.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing you two tomorrow then,” she says before turning around and stepping out the door.

As soon as they’re gone, Willy turns to me, her eyes flashing with anger. “What the hell, Hollister? Us, dating? Are you out of your mind?”

“Would you have rather get fired and have your reputation ruined all because of me?” I counter. “It’s bad enough I made your life a living hell when we were kids, no way am I letting her fire you and ruin your reputation over a misunderstanding.”

“You call us dating a misunderstanding?” she exclaims. “I thought SEALs were cool under pressure.”

Apparently, not with you, I almost blurt out. “I couldn’t think of anything else to save your reputation.”

She crosses her arms, her jaw clenched. “In case you haven’t noticed, I can take care of myself, Hollister.”

“What was I supposed to do? Let her ruin your career just because I made a mistake?”

“Yes!” she exclaims, throwing her hands up in the air. “Because now I owe you.”

“You don’t owe me anything,” I say. “I didn’t do this because I wanted something from you, Willy. I did it because I didn’t want to see you get hurt.”

“Oh? So her saying I’m not one of you didn’t hurt? Or that I’m the gardener’s daughter—not that it isn’t true, but still...” She points her finger at me, thrusting it against my chest. “You did this because you wanted out of your mother’s matchmaking games, didn’t you?”

“Well…”

“Besides, since when did you start caring about me? Last I checked you were the one who used to call me Miss Piggy, remember?”

I feel a pang of guilt in my chest. “I know, and I’m sorry. But I’m not that kid anymore. I’ve grown up and I’m trying to make things right.”

She’s quiet for a few moments, though her expression is still angry. Finally, she takes a deep breath and exhales. “It’s not like I can get out of this, so I’ll play along. But the moment the renovation is finished, we’re over, you hear me? Oh, and don’t expect me to be all lovey-dovey with you either.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it, Willy.”Liar, liar, pants on fire.

“Once the renovation is over and we show up at this yacht party, we’re done, okay? I’m heading back to NewYork, where my life is. This,” she gestures between us, “is just temporary. Your mother’s right; we’re from different worlds, Hollister. My dad was your family’s gardener until he retired two years ago, while your family owns hundreds of hotels all over the country. You guys practically own Love Beach, for crying out loud.”

Her words hit me like a punch in the gut. She’s right, of course. Even though I’ve chosen a different path, becoming a SEAL and rebelling against everything my family wanted me to be, I still come from a world of wealth and privilege.

“I understand,” I say quietly.

“And you’ll end up with whatever society princess your mother deems worthy of the Hollister name.” Willy grabs her work gloves from the kitchen counter. “Now let’s get back to work before your mother comes back and catches us slacking off.”

CHAPTER FIVE

WILLY

I hate lying.I hate owing anyone anything. And most of all, I hate pretending.

Yet why do I actually feel good walking beside Brogan on the Boardwalk, our hands intertwined like we’re on a date?

It’s been hours since we took down the old kitchen cabinets and installed the new ones. Hours since we let manual labor calm us down enough that I said yes when Brogan suggested checking out the Boardwalk together. After all, if we needed our story to stick—that we were dating—we had to at least make an appearance together in public.

It’s a high price to pay, but what choice do I have? My job is on the line and Brogan’s being Brogan, resisting his mother’s attempts at pairing him with the perfect woman. Maybe not his idea of perfect, but perfect for her, I’m sure.

Not that I have to worry about that. Brogan’s a grown man. He can say no.

Still, as inconvenient as it is to pretend that we’re dating, it’s the most excitement I’ve had in years. The last time I was with someone was over three years ago, and ever since then, all I’ve done is work.

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