Page 10 of SEAL's Sky
“No need. You’re practically family,” her mom said and winked when she knew no one else could see them.
“Thank you, that would be great.”
“Tony, I’ll be back in a few. Can you ask Sandy to cover my tables for about an hour?”
“Will do, boss.”
“C’mon, Sky, after we get you settled, you can come back down and have something to eat.”
“Down?”
“Yes, I live upstairs, makes it really convenient.”
“I didn’t realize,” Jen said. This was a lot harder than she thought. How she’d keep up the façade she had no idea.
Following her mother through the rear door and into the back alley, they didn’t say anything. As soon as her mom got the door to the hallway to the upstairs apartment open, and they were hidden from everyone, she turned and pulled Jen into her trembling arms.
“I’m so glad you’re here. I was so worried after I saw your picture on the television. All the regulars were asking about you.”
“I’m sorry.” Tears filled Jen’s eyes and rolled down her cheeks. It was such a huge mess. If she was missing the police would eventually contact her mom. She was surprised they hadn’t already. This was a huge mess and she’d made it worse by bringing it here. What had she been thinking?
“C’mon, let’s get inside and then we can talk.”
Jen had been dreaming of this moment, being home, for so long, and the reality was even better. Taking her bags to the guest room, she dropped them on the bed with a sigh of relief. Everything was a big pile of horse poop but for the next few minutes, she was going to enjoy being home. It has been forever since she’d stayed at her mom’s.
“I didn’t change anything. I’d thought about making it into a craft room. But who was I kidding, when would I have time for that?” Pam said from behind Jen.
“I shouldn’t have come. It was selfish of me.”
“Of course you should have, this is your home. We’ll figure this out.”
Jen wrapped her arms around her mom’s waist and squeezed. It was the best feeling ever. As they stood wrapped in each other’s arms, she was enveloped in the scent of gardenias and the tears she’d held in poured like rain.
Chapter 5
As Murph made his way through the crowded bar toward his friends, he tried to recall where he’d seen her before. Until he figured it out, it would drive him crazy. It was one of his ‘superpowers’ that he never forgot a face, and it aided them on missions more than once. And who goes to a bar with a backpack and a tote?
When he approached her outside the bar he’d thought she was homeless and was going to offer her some money. Then she turned around and the fear in her eyes flipped every protective switch he didn’t know he’d had. Years of training kept him from reaching for her. From the look on her face, she’d probably have kneed him in the balls?
Distracted by his interaction with the woman, Murph nodded at his teammates, poured himself a beer from the pitcher already on the table, and sat between Ryan and Rafe. Taking a long swig from his mug, he relaxed into the chair and sighed. First the mission and then reviewing intel all day, now his brain needed a rest.
“What took you so long?” Rafe asked.
“Didn’t you see that woman he came in with?” Ryan said and winked at Murph. “She didn’t seem your type with all that pink and blue hair. It looked like those popsicles I used to get when I was a kid. What the fuck did they call them?”
“Sky blue pink,” Rafe answered.
“Yeah, that’s it. Sky blue pink.”
Murph just shook his head. The only single guy at the table since Jake hadn’t shown up yet, they were going to have their fun. Plus the bet they’d made with him was winding down. Even though the money was going to charity, no way was he going to lose and have to serve them beer in a pink tutu. They were shit out of luck, no matter how much they wanted to see it.
“No, she isn’t my type, but there’s something about her. I swear I’ve met her before, but I can’t figure it out.”
“Youcan’t remember?” Cam asked, obviously surprised. “You never forget a face.”
“I know.” Murph took another long swig from his beer. “It’s going to bug the fuck out of me until I figure it out. She looked so lost. I offered to help, but she blew me off.”
“Wait, a woman blew you off? You’re losing your touch, Bro.” Rafe chuckled.
