A SEAL's Courage (Military Match #1)(57)

Skylar had, of course, invited Lauren. Mom had roped her into bringing dessert. She now stood at the makeshift buffet table, helping his mother refill drinks or plates. She looked incredible, in a simple pair of black slacks and a soft sweater that outlined her curves, her hair spilling free down her back and blowing in the cool evening breeze. She was on top of her game, too, gracious as always, laughing and talking.

She hadn’t said a word to him since she’d arrived four hours ago. She wouldn’t even look at him. Every once in a while she’d glance in his direction, but longing and hurt would fleet through her gaze…right before it skirted off in another direction.

And it was eating a hole in his chest. It was ironic, really. The whole damn idea of his stupid rules and the one-month time limit had been to keep it casual, to keep her from getting hurt, so that in the end he wouldn’t lose her. Yet here he was. He’d lost her anyway.

What a fool he’d been.

Will turned his head, his gaze landing on Trent for a moment. Then he turned to Skylar and leaned in to her ear. Skylar nodded, and Will stepped away from the crowd.

Trent’s gut tightened as he watched Will move in his direction. So much for being inconspicuous.

After climbing the steps, Will dropped neat and easy beside him. “Only you could look miserable at a party.”

“Sorry. I figured you and Sky would be wrapped up in each other by now and nobody would miss me.” Trent shot his brother an apologetic frown, then turned his gaze back to the yard.

“We’ll always miss you.” Will bumped his shoulder. “I couldn’t help noticing that you’ve been watching Lauren all night. How come you’re up here looking miserable instead of down there with her? You haven’t said two words to each other all night. What happened?”

He eyed Lauren, who now sat at a table between Mandy and some big buff dude. As he watched, the dude leaned toward her, apparently saying something funny, because Lauren turned her head and laughed, her whole face lighting up.

Irritation slid along his nerve endings, and Trent’s jaw tightened. Along with his stomach. Only sheer force of will kept him in his seat. What he wanted to do was march the hell down there.

Will nudged him with an elbow. “Relax. That’s Chris, Sky’s brother-in-law. He’s happily married.”

Trent blew out a breath, releasing his irritation along with it. Christ. He was acting like a jealous ex. From now on it would be this way. Chances were he wouldn’t see much of her, save for holidays or the summer barbeques his parents like to throw, but he’d have to prepare himself for the eventuality of it. Along with the eventuality of her dating again. He’d have to watch her be with someone else and pretend it didn’t make him see red.

This whole fiasco had been his brilliant fucking idea.

He dropped his head into his hands, dejection weighing on him. “It was a fling and it’s over. We agreed on short-lived, that we’d go back to being friends when it ended. Problem is, she hasn’t said two words to me in more than a week. She won’t even look at me.”

“Ah.” Will nodded as if he’d suddenly figured it all out and turned to stare at the yard for a moment. “You want my advice?”

Trent let out a sardonic laugh. “Do I have a choice?”

“No.” Will shot him a cockeyed grin and pushed to his feet. “Forgive me for being blunt, bro, but stop being a stubborn ass and just admit you’re in love with her. Then for crying out loud, go down there and tell her. I know you’re afraid of losing of her, but if you ask me, it would seem you already have. So what the hell have you got to lose?” Will nudged him with his knee. “Time to pick up and move on, T. I can’t think of anyone more perfect for you than her.”

Will didn’t bother to wait for a response, but trotted down the steps into the yard, leaving Trent to stare after him. His pulse pounded in his ears as Will’s words repeated in his head. Just admit you’re in love with her.

Reality slanted sideways, then slammed him against the wall. Hell. Was he in love with her?

Right behind the realization came the sinking pain. Did it even matter? Could he be anything she needed?

*



Trent punched Lauren’s doorbell, then pivoted and turned to pace the length of the porch. Three steps to the left. About-face. Three steps to the right. Wash, rinse, and repeat. It was two in the freakin’ morning. Lauren was no doubt sleeping, but damned if he could sleep. He’d lain in bed pondering his brother’s words for hours now.

Until finally they’d driven him nuts and he’d gotten out of bed. He wasn’t even sure why he was here, except that he’d come to the same conclusion Will had. What the hell did he have to lose at this point? She needed to know she meant more to him than just a month of great sex.

The dead bolt gave a noisy thunk behind him. Every muscle tightened, binding into a tight little ball that sat, hard and heavy, in his stomach. His nerve endings were on edge, raw, waiting for her to open that door.

When she finally did, his restless nerves ground to a halt. Whatever the hell it was he’d planned to say flew right out of his head. Lauren stood on the other side of the threshold, worry creasing her forehead, wearing those worn pajamas and a clingy white tank top.

“Trent.” Her eyes widened in surprise, then just as quickly her expression blanked. The walls went up over her, like someone had drawn the shades, and she folded her arms, dropping her gaze to her feet as she flexed her bare toes against the floor. “It’s late. Are you okay?”