Finding Carly (SEAL Team Hawaii #5)(66)

The guys all went up and clapped their teammate on the back, congratulating him, while the girls hugged Monica. The guides both took what seemed like a million pictures, and then it was time to continue the tour.

One of the employees came and picked up Monica and Pid in a four-wheel vehicle to take them back to the ranch. They were leaving immediately to spend a few days at Tiki Moon Villas. They were located just north of the ranch, the bungalows right on the water.

“You good?” Jag asked quietly as they were getting ready to get back on the ATVs. He’d just placed her helmet back on her head and was buckling it up when he said, “You’ve been quiet.”

“I’m just so happy for them,” Carly said. “And very thankful I was here today. I would’ve been devastated to miss this. Even though I just met Monica recently, I feel as if we’ve been friends forever.”

Jag nodded. “You want to get married?”

Carly’s heart just about stopped beating. “Um, like ever? Or right this second?”

Jag chuckled. “Someday.”

Carly shrugged. Glancing at the others, she knew they didn’t have much time. She wasn’t sure this was the right moment to be talking about this, even if it did make her heart speed up to know that Jag wanted her thoughts on the topic.

He put a finger under her chin and turned her head back so she had no choice but to look at him.

“Honestly?” she said. “I haven’t thought about it much. I mean, if you’re asking if I want to settle down with someone and live happily ever after, then the answer is yes. Absolutely. But I’ve never felt a bone-deep need to be married. As long as I’m with someone who loves me as much as I love him, I’ll be happy.”

Jag stared at her so long, Carly got a little worried. Was her answer not what he wanted to hear?

“We’re perfect for each other,” he finally said softly. “I have nothing against marriage, but I’ve seen my fair share of disastrous unions.”

Carly smiled. “Is it horrible that we’re talking about not wanting to get married at our friends’ wedding ceremony?” she asked, only half kidding.

“No,” Jag said firmly. “It’s a part of getting to know each other. Of learning what makes each other tick.”

“Like making love.”

The words just kind of popped out, and she cringed the second she said them. But it was too late to erase them now.

“Yeah. Like making love,” Jag agreed. Then he leaned down and kissed her. It wasn’t a chaste or short kiss either. It was almost desperate. By the time he pulled back, they were both out of breath—and their friends were all clapping and whistling.

“Get a room!” Mustang joked.

“If you guys are done making out, can we get on with the tour?” Aleck teased.

“Fuck off,” Jag told his friends.

Carly couldn’t help but smile. She loved the guys’ banter. It was all in good fun and never malicious.

Elodie smiled at Carly, and Kenna gave her a thumbs up before they once again set off in single file to finish the tour.

By the time they got back to the ranch building, Carly was thirsty as hell, starving, and her face hurt from wind burn, the sun, and smiling so much. This was definitely an amazing day she wouldn’t forget anytime soon.

She and the other girls spent way too long at the souvenir shop. Carly finally decided on two T-shirts and a dinosaur bobblehead. The guys were patiently waiting for them out on the porch, and the second Carly got within reach, Jag snagged her around the waist.

“Did you leave anything for the other shoppers?” he teased.

Carly rolled her eyes and held up her bag. “Only one bag, see? I controlled myself.”

“No need, I was only kidding,” Jag said with a small frown. “If there’s something else you want, you should get it.”

“I’ve got everything I need already,” she said, not even caring how cheesy that sounded. “A great boyfriend and amazing friends. And memories of Monica and Pid’s wedding. And I got to stand right where famous people did,” she added.

Jag chuckled. “Which I can see was probably the highlight of the day.”

“Thank you for an amazing time,” she said, hugging Jag tightly. And that reminded her of Baker. She drew back and looked around. “Where’d Baker go?”

“He left,” Midas said. “Said he had stuff to do.”

“I wanted to talk to him more,” Carly said with a pout.

“Get used to it. That’s usually how he is,” Elodie said. “Here one second, then poof, gone the next.”

“I’m impressed he came at all,” Kenna said. “I mean, we invited him to our wedding, but as you all know, he didn’t show.”

“I’m sure it wasn’t because he didn’t want to be there,” her husband soothed.

“I know,” Kenna said without missing a beat. “I wasn’t complaining. I loved our wedding.”

“Me too,” Aleck agreed.

“I think it was his curiosity about Carly that tipped the scales for him showing up,” Slate said.

Carly glanced at Jag’s teammate. She didn’t know the man too well. “Me?” she asked.

“Yeah. He’s busting his ass to figure out who was working with your ex. I’m not surprised he wanted to meet you.”