Page 15 of SEAL's Providence
Tension pulled his shoulders tight. Where was this coming from? It seemed to happen more and more lately. Frustration. Anger. He’d always been calm, stoic, the perfect commander who could keep his men from losing their shit. But for the lastfew months, he’d been struggling. Maybe it was time for him to consider his “what’s next” plan. When he’d joined the Navy as a young officer, he’d always figured he’d serve until they forced him to retire. At forty-seven, he had plenty of years left. There was something missing, though. He needed more.
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he focused on the television in time to see a shark attack a sea lion. It was quick and no chance of escape from the hunter with the razor-sharp teeth. Like the enemies who taunted the US, the shark took one bite at a time from the helpless mammal. Fuck. He was getting downright morose. This needed to stop. It was definitely time to think about making some major changes in his life.
Meeting Providence today had lifted his spirits like a bright light in the dark. She’d made him smile more today than he had for the last few months. Feeling some of the darkness recede from his thoughts, he pulled his phone out of his pocket and opened his contacts. After updating her name from Dr. Providence Sheridan, he tried to figure out what to write. Hi? Nah, that seemed more like a teenage girl or a spammer. Hmm. Good evening? Nope, too formal. Fuck, he was terrible at this. He’d lost all ability to be cool. Shit. Did they even say coolanymore? He’d been out of the dating game too long.
Trying again, he decided to just go for it.
Tony: Hey it’s Tony. How’s it going?
Before he could change his mind, he clicked send. She’d probably laugh her ass off. He put the phone on the couch next to him and dragged his hand through his short brown hair. Maybe he should have just called her instead. Why didn’t anyone call anymore? They all carried their phones everywhere, but no one actually used them to talk to anyone.
The phone lit up with an incoming message. Tony reached for it and knocked it off the couch. Taking a deep breath, he scooped the phone off the floor and rolled his eyes.Get a grip, old man.
Providence: Hi. I’m good, just got home. Did you get all your running around done?
He could do this. For fuck's sake, he commanded three SEAL teams. He could talk to one gorgeous doctor.
Tony: Yup. Got home a bit ago.
Shit. If the guys saw this, they’d tease the fuck out of him.
Providence: Great. It was nice meeting you today.
Nice meeting me?Is she brushing me off already?
Tony: I enjoyed our lunch. I’m hoping we can do dinner this week?
That was better. At least he didn’t sound like a total dork.
Three dots blinked at the bottom of his screen, then stopped. Then started again. Was she going to blow him off? It was entirely possible. Maybe he’d come on too strong. As a SEAL, his training taught him to be fierce in pursuit of his mission. Not that Providence was a mission, but he wanted her. There was just something about her that called to him—even if he had to settle for just being friends for now.
Why wasn’t she answering? The longer he watched the three dots blink and stop and blink again, the more his confidence waned.
Providence: As friends right?
Tony: It’s just dinner. I’m not gonna try to get you into bed.
Ugh, can you unsend a text? Dammit. Why had he typed that last part?
Providence: LOL I’m not worried. I could take you down.
Tony: You think so?
Providence: Just because I’m a doc doesn’t mean I don’t know how to hurt people.
He hated this texting shit. How was anyone supposed to know if someone was messing around? Or maybe it was just with this woman. He texted others daily and had no issues. Shit. He needed to get a hold of himself.
Tony: About dinner?
This time, the dots appeared, and a message came right through.
Providence: I’ll have to let you know after I get to work on Monday and can check my schedule.
She wasn’t outright turning him down, but it felt like a brush off. He knew where she worked, worst-case scenario he could drop in on her.
Tony: OK That works. Have a good night.
Providence: You too.
