Page 13 of A Very Grumpy Marine

“He isn’t with you. He’s made it really clear that he’s all in with you. Besides, the guy is hot. Do you really think that he needs to like borderline stalk someone to be with them?”

She has a point.

“How about this one?” Lilou asks, holding up one of her dresses.

“You don’t think that it’s too much?” I ask, taking it from her.

I run my hand down the soft material. It’s a dark forest green crushed velvet dress that matches my eyes perfectly.

“It’s perfect,” she promises me, and I nod before I pull off my old t-shirt and yoga pants and slip the dress on.

Lilou passes me a pair of flats, and I sit on the bed as I put them on.

“You look great!” She squeals as I stand and do a spin for her. The dress hugs my curves in all of the right places. Perfect for date night.

“Thanks.”

“Where’s he taking you?” She asks, and I shrug.

“He didn’t say. He just asked to take me out to dinner.”

“Well, I’m sure that it will be great.”

“Are you sure that you’re not upset that I’m not hanging out with you tonight?” I ask for the millionth time today.

“Nah, we got to hang out all day. Plus, I’ll see you tomorrow to hear all about how tonight went.”

She hugs me, and I smile as I breathe in her familiar scent.

“It’s been so nice seeing you every day. I almost don’t want to leave in two weeks.”

“You could stay,” she says, and I smile slightly.

“I love my job.”

“I know you do, but you could get a place here. Put down some roots and then come back whenever you have downtime.”

“Maybe.”

She’s been asking me to come visit or move out here since she did a year ago, and the idea is sounding better and better.

“I’ll see you later, okay? Let me know if you need anything!” She says before she gives me another hug, and then she’s heading out the door to her living room to give me a moment to collect myself.

I watch her walk away before I turn back to take myself in. My nerves flutter wildly as I stare at my reflection in the mirror. The dress Lilou picked out for me hugs my curves perfectly, the deep green fabric shimmering slightly under the soft bedroom light. I smooth my hands down the material, inhaling deeply.

Why am I so nervous? It’s just dinner. Just one date. Just one very, very persistent man who I can’t seem to get out of my head.

A knock sounds at the front door, and Lilou squeals as she rushes to answer it. I grab my clutch and give myself one last once-over before I head out into the living room.

Camden is standing in the doorway, looking so good it’s almost unfair. He’s dressed in a dark button-down with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms, showing off his strong, corded muscles. His jeans are well-fitted, and the way he’s watching me makes heat creep up my neck.

“Damn,” he murmurs, raking his gaze over me from head to toe. “You look incredible.”

“Thanks,” I say, trying to play it cool, though my heart is doing somersaults.

“Have her home by midnight,” Lilou teases, nudging me toward Camden.

“I make no promises,” he says, his smirk entirely too cocky, and I roll my eyes.

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