Finding Carly (SEAL Team Hawaii #5)(29)

“Ah,” Elodie said with a nod. “You’re a big help around here for sure.”

Theo nodded, and without another word, turned and left the kitchen.

“He’s…interesting,” Carly said after he’d gone.

“That he is. It’s nice having him around though. When others are here, he doesn’t say much, so him talking says a lot about how much he likes you and is comfortable with you.”

That made Carly feel good.

“For the record…nothing that happened was your fault. And if Jag thinks it’s okay for you to be out and about and going back to work, then it’s okay.”

“How do you know about me going back to work?” Carly asked in surprise. “We literally just came from Duke’s just now.”

Elodie blushed and shrugged. “Kenna texted us all. She’s super excited.”

Carly laughed. She’d sent her friend a short text on the way to Food For All, asking if it was all right if she piggybacked on her shifts for a while, and Kenna had been ecstatic. And apparently had already begun to spread the word.

“We’ve already packaged up the meals for people to pick up today, but do you want to help us organize the requests for tomorrow?”

“Sure. Is Ashlyn around?”

“She’s still out delivering today’s meals to the homebound people.”

“Oh. Last I heard, Slate wasn’t too keen on that idea.”

Elodie nodded. “He isn’t. But Ashlyn isn’t about to let him tell her what she can and can’t do.”

“Oh, man, they’re still squabbling like little kids, aren’t they?” Carly asked. She loved this. Gossiping and laughing, feeling as if she’d never been gone.

“Yup. Mark my words…they’re gonna end up together.”

“You think?”

“Oh, yeah. There’s so much tension and chemistry between them, it isn’t even funny.”

“That’s cool.”

“Yup. And speaking of which…you and Jag…?” Elodie let the question hang.

She smiled. “Yeah.”

“Thought you said you weren’t ready for another boyfriend?” Elodie teased.

Carly felt her cheeks heat up. “Yeah, well, it just kind of happened.”

“I understand that all too well,” Elodie said with a smile. “And for the record, I think it’s awesome. Doesn’t say much, but he’s a great guy.”

Carly wanted to laugh at the “doesn’t say much” part, since Jag didn’t seem to have any issues talking with her. But she simply nodded and said, “Yes, he is.”

“Well, come on, I’m sure Lexie’s dying to talk more with you too. I’ve been hogging you back here long enough. And I’m guessing Jag’s about ready to come check on you as well.”

“Oh, I’m sure he’s not—”

Her words were cut off by the man himself sticking his head into the room. “Everything okay in here?” he asked.

Carly ignored Elodie’s laughter and smiled at him. “We’re good. We were just coming back out.”

Jag nodded and opened the door all the way, holding it for the two of them.

“Told you,” Elodie whispered as she passed Carly on her way to the door.

Carly followed, but when she got to Jag, he stopped her and asked quietly, “You good?”

She nodded. “Yeah.”

“Just making sure. Lexie’s extra chatty today, she’s busting at the seams to talk to you.”

“She driving you crazy by making you talk?” Carly teased.

Jag’s lips twitched. “I’m not the talkative type.”

“Except with me.”

“Except with you,” he agreed. Then he leaned close and kissed her. It was a quick kiss, nothing deep, but she still felt tingles throughout her body at the intimate touch. She was aware that Elodie, Lexie, and Theo could clearly see them standing in the doorway, but if Jag didn’t mind kissing her in front of them, Carly certainly wasn’t going to complain.

“What was that for?” she whispered.

“Because I can’t resist you,” he said. Then he put his hand on the small of her back and urged her into the other room.

“Theo, want to take a walk around and scope out the area? Make sure it’s all safe?” Jag asked the other man.

“Yes!” Theo said eagerly, as if Jag asking him to check the perimeter was akin to winning the lottery.

“We’ll be back soon, and I’ve got eyes on the area, so don’t worry,” Jag said, directing his words to Carly.

She nodded at him.

The second the front door shut behind the men, Lexie said, “Giiiirl, we need more info on what’s up with the two of you!”

Carly knew she was blushing, but smiled anyway. “There’s not much to tell.”

“Bullshit,” Lexie retorted, pulling out a chair and pointing to it bossily. “There’s so much chemistry crackling between the two of you we could bottle it and not have to pay electricity for a month. Now, start talking.”

Carly laughed, enjoying girl time. She wished Kenna was here, and Ashlyn. And she wanted to get to know Monica. As she’d admitted to Jag, she did need this. A connection with her friends. Being holed up in her apartment had made her more paranoid, more terrified. She still wasn’t comfortable with her situation, with the fact that someone could be out there somewhere, waiting to get to her. But with Jag’s help, she knew she’d be able to start living fully again.