Page 21 of SEAL's Providence
“This is perfect.”
The color in her cheeks reddened when he sat down. “You look beautiful.”
“I doubt it, but thank you.”
“One thing you’ll learn is I always mean what I say. Just ask any of the guys.”
“Uh, okay.”
Fuck. Totally adorable. She’d kill him if he said it out loud. “I’m really happy you texted. I apologizefor being late. Something came up and I couldn’t avoid it.”
“No worries. It was kind of last minute. Did you want a beer? Or a margarita?” She gestured toward the pitchers on the table.
“I’m more of a bourbon guy. In fact, here is it now. Thanks, Patience.”
“No problem, Tony. Are you ready to order, or should I give you a few minutes?”
“Did everyone order already?”
“Yes, sir. But just a few minutes ago. Don’t worry, it won’t hold up anyone’s food.”
“All right. I’ll have a bacon cheeseburger and whatever vegetable is available.”
“You got it,” Patience said. “I’ll be back in a few with everything.”
“A side of vegetables with a bacon cheeseburger? Do you think whatever green stuff you eat will save your arteries from the greasy mess?” Providence teased.
“Nah. I just don’t like french fries.”
“Wait. What now? Have mercy on your soul. You don’t like fries? What’s wrong with you?”
Tony chuckled. “Nothing, I promise. I can get my medical file or actually you could look it up yourself.”
Providence grinned. “Yeah, I could, but Iwouldn’t invade your privacy like that. Are you serious about the fries, though? I just don’t even know what to say.”
Quinn chuckled from where he sat across the table from them. “Oh, he’s one hundred percent serious. He refuses to tell us what the fries ever did to him make him hate them.”
Providence shook her head, and her high ponytail swung back and forth, the lighter blonde streaks catching the light. “You know that’s just un-American, right?”
“Nah. Maybe un-French. They are French fries, right? Tony waggled his eyebrows and grinned.
“Don’t worry, Quinn. I’ll figure it out. I love a mystery.”
“You’re welcome to try, sweetheart.” Tony took a swallow of his bourbon and enjoyed the slow burn. He loved seeing how Providence fit right in, like she’d been part of the group for years instead of weeks.
“I’m surprised you came.” Josh elbowed him in the side. “Providence?”
“Yeah. But she’s going to be a challenge.”
Josh snorted. “Right up your alley, then? I’ve never seen you back down from one in all the years I’ve known you.”
Tony considered Josh’s words. He was right, too.The greater the challenge, the more Tony dug in. His brother used to tease him that his spirit animal was a pit bull, because neither of them would back down. But as he got older he’d backed off pursuing relationships, and a private life. When had he turned into a boring old man?
“You’re right. But a mission isn’t a relationship. I guess we’ll see how it goes.”
“I don’t think you’ll have too much trouble winning her over. Not if it’s what you really want. Just don’t fuck with her heart, boss. I think there’s a lot more to the sexy doctor than we know.”
He nodded. There were so many layers to this woman she’d put an onion to shame. If he got his way, he’d peel each away, layer by layer, until he got to her heart, and like Josh just reminded him, Tony usually got his way.
