Page 61 of SEAL Summer Escape

She had no idea how military wives or girlfriends handled frequent deployments.Mason didn’t even really deploy—just got sent out on mission after mission.It’s not like he’d been gone for six months or a year.There were plenty of local families who dealt with more than her.

They’d barely even begun dating.

She sighed as she stood, letting the sheet fall.

The slight ache in her core reminded her of just how intimate they’d been with one another.And even though he was gone, he’d be on her mind all day.

Chapter 16

TAYLOR GIGGLED AS BAILEYpulled to a stop in front of her apartment building late that afternoon.“Oh my God, the look on that guy’s face was priceless when you told him you’d cut off his balls if he didn’t give us my car.”

Bailey muttered under her breath, flipping her blonde hair over her shoulder, her hot pinks nails gleaming with fresh polish.“Yeah, well, it didn’t do much good.We still don’t have it.If I knew how to operate that damn lift thing, I would’ve taken it down myself.”

“It wouldn’t have done much good if they’re still fixing it.Then again, maybe Jake left it up there on purpose.Mason said he was pissed as hell when he called him.Mason told him we were going to come get my car, and Jake wouldn’t know Mason got sent out of the country.He probably left it up there just to mess with him.”

“I wouldn’t put it past him,” Bailey said dryly.“Are you sure I can’t give you a ride to Anchors for your shift?”

“No, but thanks, hun.One of the other waitresses, Amy, is coming by to pick me up.”

“All right, if you’re sure.Maybe you should call that detective and see what he says about them holding your car at the shop forever.Since Jake is friends with Eric, maybe there’s something they can do.”

“God, I hope so.This is getting ridiculous.I’ll call him tomorrow first thing.I need to get ready for work, and if the police want me to come back now to file a separate report, I’ll be late.I’m not sure there’s anything illegal about a car shop fixing my car though.Even if they are friends with Eric.”

“We’ll figure it out.Thanks again for lunch.”

“No worries.Thanks for driving me around all day.”Taylor climbed out of the car and shut the passenger door, waving goodbye as Bailey drove away.Her own nails shone with pale pink polish.It had been refreshing to spend the day with her best friend.Lunch overlooking the ocean, strolling along some of the shops near the boardwalk, and then relaxing at the nail salon had been just what she needed to get her mind off of everything.

Pulling her keys from her purse, she climbed the stairs to her apartment.The flip-flops she’d worn for her pedicure slapped on every step.It was relatively quiet at this time of day, with most of the other residents still at work for their nine-to-five jobs.

She slid the key into the lock of her apartment and twisted the knob, pushing the door open.

She froze as soon as she walked in, her keys falling to the ground as Eric staggered toward her.The door automatically shut behind her with a loud thud.

“Tay, baby,” he slurred.“I’ve been waiting for you all day.”His hands wrapped around her waist, his large body towering over hers, and he planted a sloppy kiss on her lips as she tried to push him away.

He tasted of alcohol and fast food, and she pushed harder at his chest, trapped between the closed door and him, until he finally released her.“How’d you get in here?”she asked angrily.“You have no right to come barging into my apartment.And you sure the hell have no right to kiss me.I’m calling the police.”

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