Page 13 of Fake Dating the SEAL
“Different from your usual work environment, I’m guessing.”
“You could say that.” Watching her, he couldn’t help but notice how the moonlight caught the red highlights in her hair. He bent down, picking up a small, perfectly spiral shell that was half-buried in the sand. He held it out to her, the delicate curves of its interior gleaming in the evening light. “You can tell the tides are high. This one’s still damp.”
Sara took the shell, turning it over in her palm. “You can tell that just from looking at this shell?”
“That and the way the waves are coming in. They’re higher on the beach than the dry line.” He gestured with his free hand to a darker strip of sand near the water’s edge. “And the fact that the shell has that perfect sheen of moisture on it.”
“You’re really good at this. Noticing the small things.”
“It’s a requirement of the job.” He shrugged, keeping his tone light. “In my line of work, the small things can mean the difference between a good day and a bad one. A misplaced pebble, a snapped twig. You learn to absorb everything.”
“Like what?”
Kenny thought for a moment. “The color of someone’s shoes, the way they hold their coffee cup, whether they’re right or left-handed. The layout of a room, who sat where, what they ordered for lunch three weeks ago.” He picked up another piece of driftwood. “It becomes automatic after a while.”
“That’s actually pretty impressive.”
“It has its downsides. I remember everything. Including things I’d rather forget.”
“I can’t imagine facing situations that every minute could be the difference between life and death. It must be hard.”
“Not for me. It’s how I’m wired. It doesn’t hurt that I’ve always had a near photographic memory. As a kid in school, if I didn’t remember the answer to a question on a test, I’d close my eyes and scan my notes in my mind and find the answer.”
“Dang. Wish I could have done that.” She snorted more than laughed. “Heck, I’d kill to be able to do that now. Half the time I forget where I put my car keys or if my favorite blouse is clean or dirty.”
He chuckled softly. “Yeah, well, I have those moments too. Just not when I’m working.”
Sara was quiet for a moment, and Kenny wondered if he’d said too much. But then she smiled. “I bet you remember the song playing the first time you charmed a girl into the back seat of your car.”
“Stairway to Heaven.”
“You’re kidding.”
Holding back a grin, he waved his hands palm up. “Hey, you asked.”
Sara burst out laughing. “Please tell me you didn’t actually sing along.”
“I’m not admitting anything without a lawyer present.”
Still chuckling softly, her head bobbed and her gaze remained on the beach ahead. They walked in comfortable silence for a few minutes, when her steps slowed. “What’s your favorite movie?”
“The Hunt for Red October.”
“Of course it is.” Her grin widened. “Very military of you.”
“What can I say? I like submarines and Sean Connery.” Kenny found himself studying her profile as they walked. “What’s yours?”
“My Cousin Vinny. No matter how many times I’ve seen the movie, it always makes me laugh.”
“Me too. Great film. Maybe we can watch it on our next fake date.”
“Sounds good.” She nodded. “Do you have a favorite color?”
“Blue. Not sure if I’ve always liked the color because I’ve always been drawn to the ocean, or if I was drawn to the ocean because I loved the color blue.”
“A little like the chicken or the egg.”
He chuckled. “Something like that.” Smiling, he turned his head to face her. “Your favorite color is green.”
