Page 67 of Welcome to Forever
She narrowed her gaze, loving his smile and the way, when he looked at her, everyone else in the room seemed to fall away. “You don’t care about appearances?” she asked.
“Sure, I do. I care that I’m exactly who I represent myself to be. Nobody different.” He wobbled his head. “Now, if you’d asked who my father would prefer I be mingling with right now, then it’s that crowd against the wall. Don’t worry, though. I’m the CO’s son. They’ll all come to me.”
Kat leaned in to hear him better over the crowd, and to get a better whiff of his cologne. “Why is that?”
“Because I’m the one they think they’re supposed to be sucking up to. It’s like a game. Not the military. The military is a noble profession. But the politics here are a game to some people, and I don’t want to play.”
“Then why did you bring me?” His scent begged her to touch him. She curled her fingers at her side to keep from doing so, knowing that people were watching them.
“Whatever my original reasons, they’ve changed. I brought you tonight because I like being around you. How’s that for a motive?”
She chewed her lower lip. “I might enjoy your company, too, Sergeant Peterson.” They were flirting, and she loved every second of it. Maybe being here tonight wasn’t such a scary thing, after all. Not with Micah beside her.
His arm slid around her bare back, making her spine straighten. She could think of other places she’d rather be with Micah right now, though. Less formal places, where fitted dresses and high heels weren’t allowed. Where no clothing was allowed and she could touch him all she wanted.
“I apologize in advance,” he whispered in her ear, startling her from her thoughts.
“Apologize?” Her brows lowered. “For what?”
“For the conversation we’re about to endure.” He straightened and reached out his hand to the man walking toward him. “Colonel Peterson.”
Kat’s eyes widened.Peterson.
The older man had the same dark brown eyes as Micah. His face was sterner than his son’s, though, with his mouth set in a hard line under a crooked, eaglelike nose. The man smiled, the gesture not quite meeting his eyes, and offered a hand to Kat. “And who is this lovely lady you’ve brought tonight?” he asked with a rigid smile.
Micah pulled Kat even closer to him. “Katherine Chandler. She’s the—”
“Principal of Seaside Elementary School,” his father finished for him. “Your reputation precedes you, Ms. Chandler.”
Kat’s body stiffened. “Thank you. I think.” She glanced, unsure, at Micah. “Nice to meet you, Colonel Peterson.”
“Likewise.” He straightened and studied Micah. “Have you thought about what we discussed?”
Kat watched Micah’s body language change. Scanning the room, he avoided his father’s eyes. “Yep.”
The older man’s face grew almost imperceptibly harder. “Good.”
Micah’s jaw ticked on one side.
Then, after a long, awkward second, Colonel Peterson’s attention returned to Kat. “Have a lovely evening, Ms. Chandler. I had just taken command of Camp Leon when I first heard your name. I’m so sorry for your loss.”
She swallowed, lowering her gaze from his.Thatwas the reputation that had preceded her. “Thank you, sir.”
“And what an honor to have you with us tonight. It’s a testament to your strength.” He glanced at Micah. “That’s something we value here in the Corps. Strength and commitment. Perseverance.”
Micah’s jaw continued to tick as Colonel Peterson nodded and moved on to another couple across the room. “I’m sorry,” he said when his father was out of earshot.
“You said that before he walked up.”
“It’s worth saying again,” he said, his mood notably darker. “Are you okay?” He pulled her toward him, guiding her to look into his eyes.
“I’m fine.”
“I had no idea he’d bring up—”
“It’s fine. Really.” She mustered a smile for Micah’s sake. He looked more taken aback from the conversation than she did. “What was that other stuff about anyway?” she asked, wondering at his drastic change in demeanor. If Micah and his father hadn’t resembled each other so closely, she might’ve guessed they were enemies rather than family. She hadn’t seen her mother in several months, but when they met, it was usually with a hug. “What did he want you to think about?”
Micah shook his head, his gaze scanning over the room. “It’s not important. He wanted me to think about my future in the military, and there’s nothing to think about anymore. My father just doesn’t know it yet.”
