Page 3 of A Very Grumpy Marine

“It is.”

She rolls her eyes, and I look out the window as we drive through town.

“We’re looking for a bigger place,” she admits, and I smirk.

“Anything would be bigger.”

“Oh, shut up!” She says with a laugh.

We turn onto a dirt road, and she slows as a cute one-story log cabin comes into view.

“This is it,” she announces.

“It looks nice! You guys should live here instead,” I say as we climb out of the car.

“It’s too far from town and my work. Plus, it’s not really that much bigger.”

I grab my bags, and we head up to the front door. She unlocks it, and we head inside. I set my bags down in the living room and Lilou turns to me and hands me the keys.

Her phone starts to ring, and I can tell by the smile on her face that it’s her fiancé, Milo.

“You go see him. I’m going to unpack and take a nice long shower,” I tell her.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, it’s been a long day of traveling. I’m beat.”

“Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow then. Text me if you need anything!”

“I will,” I promise her.

She hugs me, squeezing me extra tight, and I grin against her shoulder.

“See you tomorrow.”

“Night!” She calls as she heads out, and I lock up once she’s gone and then go explore my temporary home.

It doesn’t take long to get unpacked, and I race through a shower and then collapse into bed. I’m out before my head can hit the pillow.

TWO

Camden

The bill hitsthe table with a soft thump, and I barely glance at it before Kye speaks.

“Are you paying?” he asks, already reaching for his wallet like he knows the answer.

“I got it last time,” I remind him, tipping back the last of my coffee.

Kye huffs but drops a few bills on the table. He’s younger than me by two years, but most people assume we’re twins. We’ve got the same dark hair, the same sharp blue eyes, and the same damn stubborn streak. The difference? Kye has always been the easygoing one. He lets things roll off his back, while I tend to hold on too tight.

Maybe that’s why I haven’t been able to let go of my old life.

“So,” he starts, stirring his drink with his straw, watching me like I’m a puzzle he’s trying to solve.

I already know what’s coming.

“So what?” I ask, lifting a brow.

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