Page 24 of SEAL's Providence
“I try not to. I’d rather have the truth between us, sweetheart.”
Providence still hadn’t really answered him, but she hadn’t run, either. He took that as a win.
“You’re serious?” Providence lifted her thumbnail to her mouth but stopped herself before nibbling on her nail. She was too damn cute.
Tony nodded and reached for her hand and interlaced their fingers. “I am. How do you feel about that?”
She didn’t pull her hand away, and his shoulders eased with relief.
“Dammit. Why do you have to be so perfect? I don’t know how to do this.” Providence groaned. “Ishouldn’t have said that. For fuck’s sake. I blame the margaritas.”
“Really? You’ve only had one since I’ve been here. How many did you have before then? Maybe you shouldn’t be driving at all tonight.” He wouldn’t let her endanger herself.
“Umm, no, just one earlier. I’m fine.” She rolled her eyes. “You did that on purpose. Okay. Fine. Cards on the table. I like you. You’re sexy as all hell and seem to be a really nice man.”
Ouch. Nice? Tony groaned. Sexy was okay, but nice?
“I don’t know about that, but I won’t hurt you.”
Providence sighed. “I know, or at least I hope I do. But Ireallydon’t do relationships. I have absolutely no experience. I’ll probably screw this all up. Then I’ll lose my job because we work together. And then?—”
“Hold on a moment. First, you won’t screw this up. We’re not in a rush. We’ll take this as slow or fast as you want. Second, why would you lose your job if we break up?”
“Wouldn’t I? You’ve been there longer and managed how many SEAL teams? I’m just a doctor, they can move me anywhere. Maybe Alaska, for all I know.”
“No. Not gonna happen. You’re not mysubordinate. We don’t work together. We’re on a base with hundreds of others. Nothing would happen to you if this didn’t work out. I promise. But why focus on the negative? Would it be horrible to give us a chance?”
Providence huffed out a breath and leaned back in the chair. He gently squeezed her fingers as she met his gaze. It was as if she was trying to see inside his head, to read his thoughts.
“No, it wouldn’t be horrible,” Providence said grudgingly.
Tony couldn’t hide his grin. “So, what do you say? Can we kick the friend zone crap to the curb and try dating?” Even though he hadn’t moved, he was hanging on the edge of his seat. This was important. She was important.
“Okay. We can try.”
Tony let out the breath he’d been holding.Thank fuck.“Thank you, sweetheart. I’ll do everything I can to make sure you don’t regret it.”
“You’d better. I know people too, you know. Maybe not big bad SEALs, but I have some friends.” She raised her eyebrows, then giggled.
Tony hadn’t been in a relationship since he’d broken it off with Eileen, his college sweetheart. But Providence brought him a breath of fresh air and happiness he hadn’t realized he’d been missing. Foryears, he’d been living a cold, lonely life. He’d make sure that she always realized just how special she was to him.
For the rest of the evening, they’d chatted and laughed as they exchanged stories about their years of service. He’d even shared funny stories about the guys. And Providence shared shipboard stories that had him howling with laughter.
He’d meant what he said when he told her he wouldn’t push her. There was no rush. He’d waited over twenty years to find this woman. He would wait another twenty if he had to.
Providence yawned. “Oh sorry. I didn’t sleep well last night, and I guess it’s catching up to me.”
“We should get you home. Do you want me to take you there or to your car? Either is fine with me.”
“My car. I’ll need it tomorrow to run errands before Monday.”
Tony paid their tab after a brief back and forth with Providence. If it was a date, he’d pay. He was old-fashioned like that.
All too soon, he was pulling up to Grace’s house. He walked Providence to her car and waited for her to get it started. When she rolled down the window, he leaned in to speak to her.
"Thank you for a wonderful evening, Providence. It was an incredible first date.”
“Thank you. It really was nice. Especially after everyone left.” She grinned.
