Page 9 of Summer with a Navy SEAL

“Relax, Willy,” Brogan whispers as he leans closer. “You’re doing great. Just be yourself and everything will be fine.”

I take a deep breath, nodding. Be myself. Right. Easier said than done when you’re pretending to be in love with a man who called you all kinds of names so long ago.

But as we stroll along the Boardwalk, I start to relax, letting myself get caught up in the excitement of the evening. As we sit down to dinner at a cozy seafood restaurant, I can’t help but notice the looks we’re getting from the other patrons. They whisper behind their hands, their eyes wide with curiosity and speculation.

“Looks like we’re the talk of the town,” I mutter, taking a sip of my wine.

Brogan’s eyes sparkle with amusement. “Well, that was the point, wasn’t it? To be seen together, to make everyone believe we’re a couple?”

“I know. It’s just... it’s weird.”

He reaches across the table, taking my hand in his. “Forget about them, Willy. Let’s enjoy ourselves, okay?”

And as the evening goes on, I find myself doing just that. Brogan is charming and attentive, wanting to learn about me and my life since leaving Love Beach right after high school. Whenever I try to steer the conversation to him, he’s vague, only talking about his “brothers” when they’re not on a mission. There’s Trevor who just got “engaged” minus a ring and Bennett, who’s still with a team in Virginia Beach.

One new thing Brogan did admit to was that he’d recently finished his contract with the Navy and was now working with a private security firm with offices in Virginia Beach and San Diego, California. It’s not what his mother would have wanted for him—she wants him to work for the family business like Preston—but it’s what makes him happy.

“What makes you happy?” he asks as we wander along the Boardwalk after dinner.

“Designing interiors, although I’d really like to expand into eco-friendly initiatives, green energy, and sustainability,” I reply, smiling. “Crystal keeps telling me to open my own firm here in Love Beach but that’s easier said than done.”

“Why is that?”

“You need money.” I pause, realizing I’m talking to someone who probably hasn’t had to worry about money all his life. “And contacts. Clientele. Connections.”

“You have connections.”

“Crystal has connections. I have a job waiting for me in New York.”

“And is that where you’re going after the beach house is finished?”

I nod. “That’s the plan.”

We stop in front of the arcade, the flashing lights and electronic beeps filling the air. The place is a riot of color and nose, with rows of blinking machines and game booths stretching as far as the eye can see.

We play a few games together, challenging each other to see who can score the most tickets. We start with skeeball, laughing as we try to outdo each other’s throws. Brogan’s aim is impressive, but I manage to hold my own, sinking a few balls into the high-point circles.

Next, we move on to the basketball hoops, where Brogan’s height gives him a distinct advantage. He sinks shot after shot, the tickets spilling out of the machine in a steady stream. I try to keep up, but my shots keep bouncing off the rim, much to my frustration.

“Here, let me help you,” Brogan says, moving behind me. He places his hands on my hips, guiding me into the proper stance. “Bend your knees a little, and keep your elbow in.”

I feel a shiver run down my spine at his touch, my skin tingling where his hands rest. I take a deep breath, trying to focus on the hoop and not the warmth of his body pressed against mine.

I release the ball, watching as it arcs through the air and swishes through the net. I let out a whoop of joy, turning to face Brogan with a grin.

“I did it!” I exclaim, bouncing on the balls of my feet.

Brogan grins back, his eyes sparkling with pride. “You sure did. I knew you could do it.”

We continue playing, moving from game to game, racking up tickets as we go. We play air hockey, our competitive streaks coming out as we battle for dominance. We race each other in the car simulators, our laughter echoing through the arcade as we swerve and crash into virtual walls.

As we walk toward the exit an hour later, suddenly I stop in my tracks. Adorning one of the booths we haven’t visited yet are giant teddy bears hanging from the ceiling, fluffy unicorns with rainbow manes, and the most adorable panda I’ve ever seen.

“I’ve always wanted to win one of those big stuffed animals,” I admit, my gaze fixed on the panda bear. “But I always ran out of tokens before I could even win a tiny one. My aim’s terrible and those games are probably rigged anyway.”

Brogan follows my gaze, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Is that a challenge, I hear, Genaro?”

I laugh, shaking my head. “Don’t even think about it, Hollister. I’m not about to let you waste your money trying to win me some oversized stuffed animal I could probably get for half the price online.”

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