Page 7 of Fake Dating the SEAL
“I’ve heard that before. You’re not the only military man who feels that way.” Glancing over her shoulder at the resort in the distance, she turned. “We should head back.”
“Yeah, it’s getting late.”
By the time they made their way back to the resort, Kenny realized he’d been more relaxed in the past hour than he’d been in months. No military protocols to follow, no life-or-death decisions to make, just a pleasant conversation with a woman who seemed to actually enjoy his company for its own sake.
“This was nice,” Sara reached for their shoes. “Thank you for the food and the walk.”
“Thank you for the company. And for not letting me get punched by a drunk husband in the women’s bathroom.”
Sara laughed. “That would have been tough to explain to hotel security.”
For a moment he felt like an awkward teen at his date’s front door. Shaking the image from his mind, he took a step in retreat, and smiled. “I’ll probably see you again at at the Everretts?”
“Absolutely.” She smiled. “Sleep well, sailor.”
“You too.” He watched her turn and walk away. Heading back inside, he muttered to himself, “Why the heck did Mrs. Everrett think that woman needed a matchmaker?”
Chapter Four
“Hurry up. We don’t want to be late.”
For once, Sara agreed with her mother. Today was her favorite day of the season, aside from Christmas itself of course. For as long as she could remember the Everrett family and closest of friends would gather to put up the Christmas tree and then decorate it. By evening, half the island would be at their home to turn on the lights, and enjoy the mother of all pot luck dinners. The intrusive matchmaking usually didn’t happen for a few more weeks. Then she’d be bombarded with a parade of eligible bachelors, most of whom she wouldn’t have picked if they’d been the last men on earth. Trying to walk and slip into her new sandals at the same time, she hobbled into the living room. “Ready.”
“It might be easier if you sat down to do that.”
Tugging the strap in place, Sara straightened to her full height. “No need. Done and ready.” Keys dangling from her finger, she waved them at her mother. “Let’s go.”
Her mother was already out the front door and waiting on the porch, a massive tray of Mexican lasagna in her hands. Ever since her mother discovered this recipe of noodles with Mexican seasoned meats and cheeses instead of marinara sauce and mozzarella, this was her go-to pot luck contribution.
By the time they pulled up to the Everrett home, Billy’s truck was in front, the massive evergreen tree on the roof and at least a half a dozen men surrounding the vehicle, each shouting instructions to the other. Sara had to laugh. As entertaining as watching her friends lob witty retorts and occasional digs, she knew that when these men served together, they operated as a very well oiled machine. Which was probably why they hadn’t lost a tree yet.
“Need a hand?” Sara shot Billy a fat grin. “You know, from a girl?” She couldn’t help teasing him.
“That’s right.” Hands on her hips, Maille stood on the front stoop. “If you bunch of galoots don’t get that tree in the house and put up, I’m going to have the girls do it.”
Mumbles and grumbles could be heard coming from the truck as they finally coordinated their efforts and had the thing on its way inside the house.
When Kenny came past her, hanging on to the trunk of the tree with Billy and the others, dispersed from bottom to tip bearing the weight of the massive evergreen, he winked at her.
The action caught Sara off guard. He’d never done that before. Then again, they’d never wrestled a drunken bride together before either. Before she could do much more than smile at the man, she turned and spotted Maile still on the stoop, a sly grin on her face. “Uh oh.” Almost afraid, she glanced over her shoulder. Sure enough, her mom was eyeing Maile and the two women had mirror grins on their faces. Oh, how Sara hoped those dazzling smiles were over a great tree and had nothing to do with the way Kenny had sort of greeted her.
In the house, the normal chaos that came with this day of the year was in full swing. Boxes containing ornaments were piled along one wall. Maile and Ava each removed the lids, and slid a box toward the middle. Across the way, Nick and Kara were opening the boxes of lights, handing them off to Doug and Billywho seemed to be on lights duty. Off to the side, carrying a large tote labeled Father Christmas, Kenny set it down in the next room, one by one removing Maile’s collection of vintage Santas that reminded Sara of the Ghost of Christmas Past.
Every year, new little ones joined the escapades. Seeing Emily playing with her nephew Eddie made Sara smile pretty wide herself. From the moment Em had shared with her that they were expecting their first child, Sara was over the moon for her best friend. In fact, she was so happy for her friend, anyone would think Sara was the one about to start a family. Emily was such a fantastic school teacher that Sara knew her friend would be an amazing mom.
Moving closer to Maile and Ava, Sara reached for one of the boxes of ornaments and Maile waved a hand at her, shaking her head. “We’ve got this. You go help with my Santas and Angels. Men have terrible eyes for decoration.”
Fighting the urge to roll her eyes. Sara smiled and nodded and turned toward the other room. She was going to have to explain—once again—to her mother and her mother’s best friend, that she could find her own man.
“Hi,” a voice that felt as smooth as velvet and deep as the ocean floated over her.
“I’ve been sent to supervise.”
Kenny raised one dark brow. “Supervise?”
“Translation—the mothers want us to work together.”
His brows folded into a deep V before quickly arching high on his forehead with understanding. “We’ve been targeted.”
