Page 9 of Coff

“I overheard you on a call talking about leaving and moving to California when your time’s up.”

Ozzie and I have been best friends since boot camp. We both said we were in for the career.

“I’m having second thoughts.” I haven’t told him or anyone about Delaney. I didn’t want anyone trying to talk me out of it. But hell, I need to tell someone. “Follow me.” I lead him away from the crowd. Then I pull the ring out of my pocket. “If she says yes, I’m getting out.”

“Holy shit! Is that an engagement ring?” Ozzie shouts.

“Shhh!” I glance around, but it’s too late.

“What engagement ring?” Axel asks, stepping up to us.

Axel was transferred here last month, but the three of us clicked, and we’ve become close to him.

“Coff has one, but as far as I know, you aren’t dating anyone. What gives?” Ozzie asks.

“You proposing to yourself, Coff?” Axel asks.

We are gathering attention. “Can you two keep it down?”

“No! We’re in this for life, and I can’t let you make such a mistake,” Ozzie insists.

Well, so much for the support of my best friend. “It’s not a mistake.”

He steps up to me. “It is. Fuck, Coff, we’re still young. And who is it? Where did you meet her?”

“I met her on my last leave. Her name is Delaney.”

Ozzie’s hands go to his head as he walks a circle around us. “Last leave? You mean you spent a few days with her a few months ago and that’s enough to give up your career?” He stops in front of me. “Why the rush to marry?”

Because I don’t want to lose her. “It feels right.”

“Is she pregnant?” Ozzie asks.

“No.”

Axel shrugs, then slaps me on the shoulder. “Good luck, man.”

“Thanks.”

He walks off, but Ozzie continues to glare at me. “When are you going to do this?”

“After Christmas.”

He rubs his jaw. “I hope you know what the hell you’re doing. But even if she says yes, you don’t have to leave.”

To appease him, I nod. “I’ll think about it, okay?”

“Please do.”

I spend the next two weeks thinking about it. With every text and call, I’m certain she’s my one. As I sit in the airport, waiting for my flight to see her, I watch an older couple at my gate. They are both very sweet to each other. That’s what I want. To be in love still when I’m old and gray.

I doubt Ozzie would understand that. He’s more of a play-the-field kind of guy.

My phone rings, and I check it. Delaney.

“What’s wrong?” I answer.

She laughs. “Nothing. I just wanted to hear your voice.”

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