Page 9 of SEAL's Providence
“Nah, one of the guys would have taken you if it came to that. You’re part of the family now and we take care of our own.”
Warmth filled Providence’s chest from Tempest’s words. It had been more years than she wanted to remember since she’d been part of a family of any kind. As much as she loved the feeling of belonging, could she really be part of this? She didn’t work with them, but maybe just having a group of girlfriends for the first time since high school would be enough.
“Did you struggle to stay awake?” Harmony asked.
“We’re surprised you made it so long without abandoning ship,” Grace said.
“Wow, you don’t have a very high opinion of the commander, do you?”
“Well, from what we’ve seen, he’s pretty boring to be around. Or maybe it’s just because he’s afraid to piss off our guys? I don’t know.” Tempest shrugged, then took Providence’s glass and dumped it into the sink before refilling it. She topped off everyone else’s glass, then raised hers. “To family.”
Providence joined in with Grace and Harmony. “To family.”
“Now, spill the tea, Providence. What did you two talk about?” Grace asked eagerly.
“It really wasn’t that exciting…” Providence said before Harmony cut her off.
“See, we were right. He bored you to tears.”
“No, not at all. We talked about where we’ve served and why I’d chosen Norfolk for my last duty station.”
“Yup, boring,” Grace said.
“I don’t know. I enjoyed chatting with him. He asked if he could take me to dinner, too.”
The women exchanged glances and then grinned.
“Seriously? He asked you out?” Tempest asked.
“As friends. Neither of us has time to date, and at my age, I’d say it’s even a ridiculous thing to think about.”
“Why? You’re not old,” Harmony said, putting her glass down. She almost missed the edge of the island. Only Grace’s quick reflexes kept it from hitting the floor.
“I’m forty-four, hardly a spring chicken.”
“You don’t look near that. And you’re not much older than either of us. Harmony is the only baby here,” Grace said.
“Maybe not, but after all I’ve seen, I’m definitely not looking to have a family. I can’t imagine getting married and raising a baby.”
“One isn’t always part of the other,” Tempest said. “Besides, there are so many older children in foster care who’d love to find a forever home.”
Providence nodded. It seemed like the perfect opening to talk to Tempest about her suspicions regarding the nail salon.
“You’re right, of course. But none of this is relevant right now. I told him we could go out as friends.”
“Oooh, you put him in the friend zone.” Grace laughed.
“What’s wrong with that?”
“It’s like the ultimate putdown. Even I know that.” Harmony nodded.
“Really?” Providence hadn’t realized that. She put all the men she worked with in the friend zone. It was safer.
“Yeah, pretty much. I guess you don’t date much being at sea all the time,” Tempest said.
“No, not usually. I’ve spent a few years here and there on different bases, but it seemed safer to stay away from people I worked with. I never had much time to make friends outside of work.”
“That sucks,” Grace said.
