Page 24 of A Very Grumpy Marine

EIGHT

Camden

I lean against my truck,watching the entrance toShelf Indulgencelike a damn hawk.

Lymric is inside, finishing up her shopping trip with Lilou, and I’m counting down the seconds until she walks out that door.

It’s been two days since our last date. Two days where I’ve let her have space, let her hang out with her best friend, and let her think things through. But I’m done waiting.

She agreed to go out with me tonight, and that means that she’sminefor the rest of the evening.

The bell above the shop door chimes, and then there she is.

Fuck,she’s beautiful.

Her dark hair is pulled into a loose braid over her shoulder, her green eyes sharp even after a full day of shopping and walking around. She’s wearing a soft sweater and jeans, and even though I know she dressed for comfort, she still looks like the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen.

She stops short when she sees me, her lips twitching. “You’re early.”

I smirk. “You look surprised.”

“Not at all. I think I know you well enough now,” she teases, walking toward me. “You’re like obsessed with me.”

“Totally obsessed,” I agree.

Her breath hitches at my response, just barely, but I catch it.

She rolls her eyes, trying to play it off. “Uh-huh. So, where are we going?”

I open the passenger door for her, ignoring the question. “You’ll see.”

She sighs but climbs in without arguing.

Progress.

I take her toRice, a casual Greek place in town I know she’ll like. Nothing fancy, no pressure—just good food and a chance for her torelaxaround me.

We settle into a booth near the back, and she flips through the menu while I watch her.

“So, this is your plan?” she asks, eyeing me over the top of the menu. “Distract me with gyros and hummus?”

I smirk. “Maybe.”

The waitress comes by, and Lymric orders a chicken pita with extra pickles and a side of fries. I get the same and order each of us a lemonade.

“You forgot your hummus,” I say, amused.

She lifts a brow. “So did you.”

“You going to start planning my meals now?”

She shrugs, sipping her water. “I don’t know. Maybe.”

I lean forward, locking eyes with her. “I’d let you, you know. If it meant you were sticking around.”

She stiffens.

Iknewthat would hit her. For a second, she doesn’t say anything. Just presses her lips together and looks away.

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