Page 69 of The Bright Side of Brooding
He nodded, huffing out a large breath, and eyed me. “How’s Summer?”
Routinely, he brought up Summer or retirement. Not anything deep and probing, just making conversation. Probably making sure I wasn’t a danger to myself. I’d popped on a mental health tracker after the new year, likely both because of the death in my family and a conversation I’d had with Sergeant Major Allen. It was the first time I’d mentioned retirement to him personally, and he hadn’t seen it coming. I suspected he thought of me as someone who’d be in for more like thirty rather than twenty.
The idea of ten more years of this, sank low in my gut. No. I couldn’t do it much longer. It wasn’t any one thing. I’d had a great career. But I was ready for the next chapter. And I wouldn’t mind if that chapter starred one gorgeous, stubborn, perpetually busy and helpful blonde. If I could only get her alone for a few minutes sooner rather than later and see if she had interest in moving forward too.
“Busy. She’s got friends coming over tonight.” I didn’t know why I said that. He didn’t want to know those details.
He seemed interested, though. “Yeah? Is Ariel going? She and Summer are pretty close, right?”
Ah. “I think Ariel was invited, yes.”
He nodded, affecting nonchalance I’d gathered he didn’t actually possess when it came to the woman in question.
“Sorry you had to spend your day training us and not with your woman.” Rob patted my back and waved, keys in hand. “See you tomorrow.”
I returned the gestured. “Drive safe.”
Reynolds moved to the stretching mats, and I stared at the phone. Did I push or try to act like the timing for when I got to see her and talk to her again wasn’t driving me into madness?
Me:“I could help you clean up after?”
I sent that without fully thinking it through. I just wanted a reason to see her. But she often rejected help in the kitchen, so I added,“Or, if you refuse to let me help, I could sit and watch you, and we could talk?”
The little dots indicating she was typing popped up, then disappeared a half dozen times. My stomach clenched, anxious she’d put me off another day. I could live with that—I would. But damn, I didn’t want to.
Finally, she replied. “Okay. I’m not sure what time we’ll be done. Could be pretty late.”
Me:“Just let me know.”
