Page 36 of SEAL's Sunshine
Miranda had never been in a Target, but she liked it. They had everything she wanted. After buying three new t-shirts and a couple of polos, she picked out a pair of sneakers. It was fun shopping with a girlfriend, although Meghan was a bad influence. She even talked her into trying on some bathing suits. That was the hardest part.
They went through all the racks looking for the perfect suit, but Miranda was convinced it didn’t exist. Meghan kept pushing her and eventually, they found three one-piece suits that would cover all her scars except those on her legs.
“Cam didn’t put you up to this did he?”
“Cam? No. Why would you ask that?”
“No reason. It’s just that we had this discussion yesterday about bathing suits. It’s a weird coincidence.”
Meghan put her hand over her heart. “I promise. I never discussed bathing suits with Cam.”
“Okay. I believe you. I think.” Then ducked as Meghan tossed a swimsuit at her head.
“Are you going to try those on or get all of them?”
Holding up the three suits one at a time, she realized none of them were too bad. But she definitely didn’t need three. “Try them on I guess.”
“Yes. Good choice. The changing rooms are this way.” She followed Meghan and got her little ticket thing then went in to try them on. “Don’t forget to come out and show me.”
Damn, what was she twelve? This part was like shopping with her mother. The last thing she wanted to do was model the swimsuit in the middle of a store full of people. Then she realized there wasn’t much difference between the store and the beach.
“Yeah, yeah. Give me a few minutes.”
In the tiny dressing room, she pulled off her clothes and tried the first one. It wasn’t too bad. Black with white diagonal stripes from her left shoulder to her right hip. It didn’t make her look like she was stuffed into the suit and she half liked it. With a sigh, she stepped outside to show Megan.
“Ohhh, I like that.”
“Yeah?” Miranda was trying not to look down and see how much the scars were showing. “Be right back in the next one.”
The second one was hideous. It hadn’t looked bad on the hanger but on her body, holy crapola. It was a definite no and couldn’t bear to step outside for anyone to see it. Quickly stripping off the horrific fabric, she grabbed her last choice.
“What’s going on in there, everything okay?”
“Yeah, but the second suit was horrible. I skipped to number three.”
It wouldn’t have been her choice, it was a bright blue, sort of like the sky without clouds and the color did a reverse fade to dark navy following the same diagonal lines as the shoulder straps in front and back. It was pretty, simple, and the color was one of her favorites. But it was bright and would draw attention to her.
Opening the door, she showed Meghan, except it wasn’t just her, Rafe and Cam were there too. She took a deep breath and told herself it was okay. If she was going to move forward with her life, then it had to be with all of it and not just the comfy parts.
“So, what do you think?”
Meghan clapped. “Oh yeah, this is it. It’s gorgeous and makes your eyes pop. I mean the black one was nice, but this is the one. Sort of like saying “Yes to the Dress” but instead it’s says, ‘yes to the swimsuit.’”
Miranda smiled and took another deep breath before asking the others. “What to do you think?” Slowly she raised her eyes to Cam’s. Her insecurity dissipated as soon as she saw the look on his face.
“You look gorgeous. I agree with Meghan. This is the color for you.”
“Thank you.” Rafe hadn’t said anything but he was nodding his head as Cam spoke. Another obstacle overcome. Maybe she’d needed to visit before now, instead of always letting Cam come to Georgia. Being away from her parent’s house was like freedom, even more so than being with the missionary group.
After changing into her clothes she grabbed her other choices and they checked out. Since the guys were back early, they went to lunch together.
“How about we go to the Mexican place down the street? I don’t want to go back to the Ice House for a while.” Meghan said.
“I agree. The food was great, but I’m not ready for more of the after meal entertainment,” Miranda said, trying to make light of yesterday’s shooting. They all smiled, but she caught the look Cam and Rafe exchanged and wondered if she’d find out what was going on.
* * *
The team waswith Captain Knox in the conference room by the time Cam and Halo arrived. He didn’t like the solemn look on everyone’s faces, and the fact that even Murph didn’t make asshole remark about him being late wasn’t a good sign.
