Page 22 of Fake Dating the SEAL
If that wasn’t enough, the song picked up speed and pulling her closer, his grip tightening around her waist, he slipped his foot between her feet and leaning right, spun them around the dance floor like a twirling figurine atop a music box. They came to a stop at the same time the music slowed to the end. “You’re better than Ginger.”
Her hand on her chest, she stood perfectly still, staring up at her fake date. “No one is going to believe I did that.”
The corner of his mouth lifted, more amused than smug. “It could be our little secret?”
Now why did the idea of keeping secrets with Navy SEAL Kenny Yates hold so much appeal?
“Or,” his brows rose a little higher, “we could show off for your family.”
“Yeah, no. That might be a bit of overkill.”
A softer tune kicked in and Kenny continued to hold her close as they glided around the dance floor. “So what’s next? Do you have any more days off?”
“I’m working the day shift this week. I get off work around three pm usually. So far, no opportunities to pick up extra night shifts have come my way.”
“So, I hear that downtown is getting all decked out for the season.”
She nodded.
“I’m told there’s a fun parade.”
“That’s right. It starts the season.” As a kid the inaugural parade to kick off the holidays was always one of her favorite things to do.
“I usually start my Christmas shopping much earlier than this, but this year has been a little unusual. Would you care to join me after work? Help me do a little shopping, then watch the parade.”
She couldn’t resist the smile that tugged at the corners of her mouth. She hadn’t been able to attend the parade in years. “I think I’d like that.”
“Good. Then it’s a date.”
A date. Oh, in only a few days, that word was starting to take on a whole new meaning for her. She sure hoped she hadn’t gotten in over her head.
Dining and dancing with Sara had been the nicest evening he could remember having in a heck of a long time. He hadn’t expected to have a bad time, but Kenny hadn’t expected to enjoy her company near as much as he was. Not only was she an easy dance partner, following his lead with the lightest of nudges, she laughed at all his jokes—and not a forced polite laugh, but an honest and appreciative reaction. And her eyes didn’t glaze over when he’d forget himself and talked a little too much about life in Uncle Sam’s Navy…at least what he was free to share.
“Hey, isn’t this a surprise.” Holding hands with his wife, Nick Harper came up behind him.
“Hey there.” Kenny pushed to his feet. Some things the Navy drilled into a sailor for life. Right along side of never put your hands in your pockets or wear your cover indoors, there was also the rule to always stand for a lady or superior officer. Too bad he had to ignore the code of never lie to a buddy. “Celebrating something?”
“My mother is in town and babysitting. That’s reason enough,” Nick teased.
“We’re just about to order dessert. Care to join us?” Kenny waved at the two empty chairs on either side of him.
Nick shook his head. “Nope. Have to call it an early night. I’ve got a lot of prep work to do for a new group of amateur treasure hunters renting one of our boats for the next couple of weeks.”
“Treasure hunters?” Kenny’s one brow rose up.
“Yeah,” Nick sighed. “Some of these folks are great, and some are reckless as hell. Whenever they turn up on our doorstep, either Billy or I go with them. Make sure they’re not breaking any laws or endangering the waters. Though, this should be an easy one. A family, which doesn’t guarantee anything, but the dad is a professor from the mainland, his kids are in college, the daughter is a marine biology major and the son some kindof computer whiz. They think they can find the wreck of the Isadora.”
“That’s just legend.”
“Who am I to burst their bubble?” Nick shrugged.
Kenny held back a chuckle. “Well, if you need a hand.”
Squinting at his old friend for a long minute, Nick nodded. “You never know. I might take you up on that.”
Kenny patted him on the shoulder. “At your disposal.”
A few more friendly words were exchanged and the co-owner with Billy Everrett of the Big Island Dive shop, keeping his arm around his wife’s waist, exited the restaurant.
