Page 25 of A Very Grumpy Marine

She’s running.

Even now,right in front of me, she’srunning.

My heart sinks and I can feel myself starting to panic, to get angry. We’re so good together. How can she not want this? How can she not want me too. Just like I want her.

The waitress comes back with our drinks, and Lymric grabs her glass and holds onto it like it’s a lifeline.

I force myself to stay calm, to keep my voice level when I say, “Do you even know what you want, Lymric?”

She flinches like I just threw a grenade in the middle of the table.

“What kind of question is that?” she mutters, picking at her napkin.

“A real one.” I exhale, running a hand through my hair. “Youloveyour job, I get that.

But what aboutme? What aboutus?”

Her throat bobs, and she doesn’t answer right away.

Ihatethat she doesn’t answer right away.

Finally, she sighs. “Ilikeyou, Camden.”

Something inside mesnaps.

“Likeme?” I repeat, my voice dropping into something low and dangerous.

She shifts in her seat, looking uncomfortable. “I mean?—”

“No.” I shake my head, cutting her off. “You don’t justlikeme, Lymric. Don’t lie to me. Don’t lie toyourself. Not about this.”

Her fingers tighten around her lemonade glass.

I lean in, my voice rough. “I love you.”

She sucks in a sharp breath.

Ilovethe way her eyes go wide, the way her lips part in shock.

I don’t regret saying it.

Iwon’tregret saying it.

Because it’s true.

I’ve known it from the second I saw her, and I refuse to let her pretend she doesn’tfeelit too.

“Camden,” she starts, but I don’t let her finish.

“Say it,” I demand, my jaw tight. “Say you don’t feel the same.”

She stares at me, her green eyes full of so many emotions I can’t read them all at once.

Her mouth opens—then closes.

And then?—

She grabs her purse and stands up.

---