Page 12 of Gwen's Delta
He’d been quiet while Woof and Zip had been giving him grief, and that was unlike him. Merlin wondered if the upcoming mission was weighing on him or if something else was going on.
“It sucks you had to cancel your trip to DC, Woof,” Merlin said as he refilled everyone’s mug after Jake brought the new pitcher.
“Yeah, it sucks. But at least Nori didn’t know I was coming, so I’m the only one disappointed.”
“That’s true,” Zip said. “I hate disappointing Des, and she’s coming tomorrow. Hopefully, I’ll still get to spend time with her.”
Women definitely complicated their lives, though the guys didn’t seem to mind. Merlin wondered how Gwen would accept this part of his life. It was one thing to date someone in the military but dating a Delta and never knowing where they were or if they were okay would be like flying blind.
After finishing his second beer, Merlin was ready to go home. He told himself it was to check out his new book, but he wasn’t in the mood to shoot the shit with the guys.
“I’ll see you in the morning,” Merlin said as he dropped a twenty on the table.
“It’s too early to go home, old man,” Jangles said with his usual grin.
“Maybe for you jokers. I want to do some research before tomorrow, and I have a new book to read.”
“Or maybe you want to hook up with Gwen?” Woof said.
“Hooking up? Seriously? How old are you, bro?” Merlin asked with a chuckle. There might have only been a few years between them, but sometimes, he really felt old. Hooking up?Are you kidding me?He wasn’t admitting to anything—especially not his plan to text Gwen when he got home.
* * *
After dinner, Gwen poured another glass of pinot grigio and brought it andRobinson Crusoeinto the living room. Besides her bedroom, this was her favorite room. She’d decorated both with a palette that reminded her of the seashore.
As she settled on the overstuffed couch, Sir Galahad jumped onto the back and leaned his front paws over her shoulder. Ever since he was a kitten, it had been one of his favorite places to be when she read. There were times she even read aloud to him—or maybe it was for her—but he seemed to enjoy it.
Classical music played softly in the background as she opened the book. There was the first edition in the bookstore, but after she’d adopted Sir Galahad, she stopped bringing them home. As much as she loved him, she knew if the mood struck him, he’d joyfully shred just about anything.
The edition was over a hundred years old. Gwen held it near her face and breathed in. There was nothing like the scent of an old book. If someone could create an essential oil that smelled like old books, she’d be all over that. As she gingerly turned to the first page, she leaned back and rubbed her head against her companion’s fluffy head.
“I’m a total book nerd, aren’t I?”
His answering purr seemed to say, “You sure are.”
Engrossed in the story, Gwen didn’t hear the cell phone when it pinged a half-hour later. If Galahad hadn’t jumped onto the polished mahogany coffee table, she probably wouldn’t have seen the message until the morning.
“Sir Galahad, get down.” As she rescued her phone before he knocked it off the table, she noticed the notification. “Off the table, mister. And thank you for letting me know about the message.”
The fluffy feline answered by lifting his leg and giving himself a bath. The little turd didn’t move until she leaned forward to take him off the table. Then he jumped down and strutted out of the room, most likely to cause trouble somewhere else.
Gwen hoped it was her father’s reply to her email. When she saw Luke’s name, she was almost giddy with happiness. After what he’d said earlier, she hadn’t been sure when she’d hear from him again.
Grams wasn’t wrong when she said Gwen spent too much time at work or home alone. But it wasn’t all her fault. The friends she’d had in college had gotten married and started families.
The last one to move away was her best friend, Belle. After she’d married Clint, they’d moved to Dallas, and six months ago, she had Benji. They stayed in touch with FaceTime, which was better than nothing, but it wasn’t the same as being together, drinking wine, and laughing until their sides hurt.
Luke:Hi. It’s Merlin. The sexy guy who collects books. Hopefully, you didn’t erase me from your contacts.
He was funny and nerdy, and a total alpha. She couldn’t stop smiling.
Gwen:I think I might remember some guy who took me for coffee. If you’re him, I didn’t delete you. Yet. How are you?
While she waited for his answer, she closed the book and laid it on the coffee table since her fuzzy overlord had moved on to somewhere else. She tried to picture Luke. She thought he’d said he had a house, but she’d been so distracted by his eyes and the bulging muscles every time he moved his arms, she had a difficult time remembering the conversation. Was he reading his book? Or lying on the sofa, drinking beer, and watching whatever game was on TV? It was what typical guys did.
Luke:I just got home and finally unwrappedThe Life of Merlin. It’s amazing. I can’t wait to read it. How about you?
It was Saturday night, and he was home reading, too?
