Page 40 of Duke

“The Marines, Semper Fi. I don’t regret it for a second, but some shit never leaves. You know?”

We arrive in town, and I pull into the lot behind Stan’s. “This is where you were headed today right?”

“Yeah, I need to do inventory and tally last night’s receipts.”

“I need to do a few errands in town. I’ll come back for lunch before I head out.”

A small tear escapes from her eye, and I reach over swiping it with my thumb, “Ah cherry. You gonna miss me? This old badger?”

She looks away and wipes a hand across her face, “Don’t be ridiculous. I had a piece of dirt in my eye.”

She moves to open the door, but I shoot a hand out and pull it back shut. I unclip my belt, and this time—I come to her, kissing her senseless before letting go.”

I watch her curvy legs walk across the lot to open up the bar as my heart goes with her.

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