Page 17 of Meet Cute or Your Money Back

I click through the database and pause as I come across Kenneth Colmstock. A financial planner for Morgan Stanley, he runs their entire southeast division with headquarters here in Charleston.

His mother grew up breeding Irish Setters…a point in favor for Allie. He likes dogs, although purebred Irish Setters are likely a far cry from the fluffy little thing in her purse at the café.

I open my browser and search his name to find out more than what our general notes have already compiled. I confirm that he’s still single and nothing has changed since we first found him. His brother and sister-in-law recently moved to North Carolina. He studied at Tulane… And he posted that this weekend he plans to attend the yearly Tuxes and Tails Gala that benefits the Animal Rescue League.

Bingo. Perfect. Themostperfect place to bring Allie for our first mission, actually. And even if Kenneth doesn’t quite pan out, there may be multiple men for her to choose from at an event like that.

I pull out my phone and text Griffin. This weekend is only a few days away and I really need to watch Allie in her natural habitat more before then. I need to see how she handles it when a man approaches her with interest. Maybe she’s less awkward than what I witnessed at the café today.

Thatcher:

Are you up for some recon tomorrow night with the new client?

Griffin:

Sure, what’d you have in mind?

Thatcher:

I need to see how Allie reacts when a man hits on her.

Griffin:

I think I can handle hitting on a gorgeous woman.

I roll my eyes at him and toss my phone on the coffee table, ignoring that last text.

A shrill scream shatters the silence like a siren in the dead of night, and I’m on my feet before I’ve even registered I’m moving.

My heart slams against my ribs, a rhythm I haven’t felt since combat zones and close calls. For a second, I’m back in North Africa—dust, danger, explosions, the metallic taste of fear.

Another cry from Duke’s room and I’m taking the steps two at a time, flinging open the door.

“Hey, hey, buddy, I’m here.” I flick on the light, squinting at the sudden brightness. “What’s wrong?”

I rush to his side, climbing into bed with him where Duke’s huddled under his Avengers covers, his face scrunched up like he’s trying to squeeze the bad dreams out of his mind.

“Someone...someone was watching,” he sobs, eyes darting around his room, not seeing me, not really.

My heart rate slows, coming back down to normal. I’m not a soldier right now. This isn’t life or death.

“Shh, it’s just a dream. No one’s watching you.” I scoop him up, feeling his little heart rabbiting away beneath his Spider-Man pajamas. “You’re safe, Duke. I’ve got you.” I cradle him close, the familiar weight of his small body anchoring me back to reality as well.

He clings to me, his breaths hitching as he slowly calms down. “Mommy was there,” he whispers into my neck. “The man was following both of us.”

I rub his back in slow circles and squeeze him a little closer as emotion clogs my throat. “She was protecting you in your dream, huh?”

He hiccups another sob, but nods against me. “Yeah. I want Mommy!”

“I know, kiddo, I know.” There’s a lump in my throat, but I swallow hard against it, willing it away. “But I’m here, okay? Always.”

It takes a while of rocking and holding him, but eventually, his grip loosens, and his breathing evens out. I gently lay him back onto his pillow, tucking the covers up to his chin like armor against the darkness.

“Stay, Daddy,” he mumbles, already half asleep.

“Wouldn’t dream of leaving.” I settle into the chair by his bed, keeping my hand on his little leg, watching over him, my own pulse slowing to match his.

And then I see it. Moonlight plays across broken branches right outside his window, jagged and raw against the night sky. Like something—or someone—had been there, disturbing the peace of our quiet life. A chill traces the length of my spine because I know what trampled branches look like. I’ve been trained to track and find boot prints.

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