Consolation (Consolation Duet #1)(29)

He laughs, “I am. Are you available?”

“I don’t have a babysitter. I kind of need a little more than a few hours’ notice, but maybe tomorrow.”

“Check your text messages,” Liam instructs.

“Ummm, okay.”

I grab my phone to check and sure enough, I have a text from Rea.

Hey, I’ve got Aarabelle tonight. Have fun. Have sex . . . or don’t, but you know, you could.

“Well?” Liam asks already knowing the answer.

“Huh, well, what do you know? A friend is abducting my daughter.”

“I’ll pick you up at seven.” Liam’s confidence is thick through his voice. Part of me wants to slap him, the other part wants to plant my lips against his again. “Oh, Natalie?” he asks and his voice is low and gravelly.

“Hmmm?”

“Wear a dress,” Liam says and then disconnects the call.

I shoot a quick text to Reanell.

It seems you’ve made a new friend.

It seems you’ve got yourself a boyfriend.

What are we, twelve? I don’t even know if people call them boyfriends. I mean, we’re not exclusive. Or maybe we are and I’m just stupid—which is possible. My palms start to sweat as I think about this. I’m not sure I’m ready to have a boyfriend.

No, we’re friends. He’s just taking me out.

Okay. Whatever you say. I’ll grab Aarabelle from the sitter’s on my way home. Have fun. Love you.

I love her so much. She’s the closest thing I have to a sister. She was there holding my hand when I delivered Aarabelle, she slept in my bed for three days when I found out Aaron died. I don’t know how I’d survive without her.

Love you more! I’ll call you tonight.

Or don’t. That could get awkward.

She’s crazy if she thinks that’s happening. Oh my God, what if that’s what I’m supposed to do?

I need a drink.





“Have you lost your f*cking mind?” Quinn stands at my truck giving me shit about going out with Natalie tonight. “Natalie Gilcher? As in your best friend’s wife?”

“Fuck off. It’s not like you think.”

He shakes his head and claps me on the shoulder. “You’re going on a date with Aaron’s wife. Let me know where I’m missing something. Because it seems crystal clear to me.”

I shrug him off. He has no room to talk since he was screwing one of our buddy’s wives, but apparently he has short-term memory loss. “Maybe we should talk to Bueno about missing something. You seemed to be awfully confused when you slipped your dick there.”

“I was drunk.” He steps back and shakes his head.

I’m not going to sit back and let him give me shit. I do that enough myself. I don’t want to be that guy. The one who f*cks his boy’s wife. Shit, up until the last month, I never even looked at Natalie that way. It’s not like I was chasing her skirt when he was alive. We’re friends and it f*cking happened.

“Whatever, man. I’m just saying don’t give me shit. I’m not doing anything wrong. We’re friends and I’m taking her out so she has a night away for once. It’s been nine months since he died.”

“Did you f*ck her?”

I step forward and ball my fists. “Watch your f*cking mouth.” First of all, it’s none of his damn business. Second of all, if that happens, I don’t plan on telling him. “If and when we do . . . it sure as shit won’t be f*cking.”

Some of the team guys are worse than a bunch of women. I’ll have to listen to all their opinions and unsolicited advice. I don’t want to hear how either they agree or don’t. It’s not up to them. As far as I know, I’ll show up tonight and she’ll tell me to f*ck off—which is quite possible.

Quinn shakes his head. “Be careful, man. That’s all I’m saying.”

“I’m always careful.”

“Yeah, well, this time you’re playing with fire. It’s not just some girl. It’s his girl and his kid.”

“I’m going to be kinda f*cking obvious here, man. He’s dead. I’m not doing anything to tarnish his memory or life. He was my best friend. I would’ve gladly been in that Humvee when it was hit. I would’ve traded places with him in a heartbeat. Natalie and I are friends and there’s something there. So I’m not doing anything he would disapprove of,” I explain and he nods.

“I know you’re not like that, but I wouldn’t want my wife to marry another SEAL.”


“You’d have to find someone dumb enough to marry you first before you need to worry about that.” I try to diffuse the situation. I get that Quinn thinks he’s helping, but he doesn’t see it. He only sees what he wants right now.

“This would be true. And I’d have to give up one-night stands. I’m good.” He shakes my hand and laughs. “I’m going to the gym. I’ll talk to you later.”

“See you later.”

Tonight is going to be the first time I’ve seen her since we kissed. I tried to give her the lead. Let her text me first. I swear I lost my dick and grew a *. I’m doing the damn three-day shit. Ridiculous. I want to slap myself or pull my own man card. But she’s Natalie. She’s got a kid and she’s not some girl. I’ve known her forever. I was at her wedding for Chrissake. I can’t just jump the gun and go all caveman on her. She needs to feel in control.