Finding Kenna (SEAL Team Hawaii #3)(42)

“I’d like to take you to my place and cook for you…if that’s all right.”

Kenna tingled. “Can you cook?”

Marshall chuckled. “I’m not a chef like Elodie, but I’ve been taking pointers from her, and I can grill a mean steak.”

“Sounds good. You want to go to the Aloha Stadium swap meet with me in the morning?” she asked.

“Yes,” he said immediately.

Kenna smiled. “You ever been?”

“Nope.”

“You’re in for a treat. They have everything from clothes to souvenirs, ethnic food to antiques. I love talking to the artists. They usually have amazingly interesting stories.”

Marshall smiled. “I like seeing you get all worked up and excited about doing stuff,” he said. “We can work out the logistics later.”

“Sounds good.”

“Be safe this week.”

“I will,” Kenna reassured him.

For a second they both stood stock still, staring at each other, before Marshall took a deep breath and backed away.

Kenna watched him walk backward down the hall.

“Go inside,” he ordered.

It was reassuring that he felt the same pull toward her that she did toward him. Kenna gave him a little wave, then pushed her door open and went inside her apartment.

She closed the door and leaned against it with another smile on her face. It was safe to say that she was head over heels for Marshall Smart. She had no idea what he was so worried about her finding out, but she had a feeling whatever it was, it wouldn’t matter.

Feeling happier than she’d been in a very long time, Kenna dug her dinner out of her beach bag and headed to the couch to eat. Food first, then shower, then she’d text Lexie and find out the details about helping her with the new location of Food For All.

It would be a busy week, and Kenna was already excited about seeing Marshall next Sunday. Yes, she’d talk to him as the week progressed, but seeing where he lived, him cooking for her…it seemed like a perfect time to move their physical relationship forward.

Saying it like that almost seemed too tame. In reality, Kenna wanted to fuck Marshall more than she’d wanted anything in a long while. And she had a feeling next weekend would be their time.

She was still smiling as she took a big bite of her burger. It was lukewarm, but nothing could dim her excitement from the day.





Chapter Ten





The week was moving quickly. Between working out, doing errands, talking to Marshall, and working, time had flown by.

It was already Wednesday morning, and Kenna was headed to the Barber’s Point area to meet up with Lexie, Elodie, and another woman named Ashlyn, who worked with Lexie, to organize the satellite location of Food For All. She’d even convinced Carly to come with her. She hadn’t lied to Marshall, she could have a conversation with anyone about anything, but she was glad Carly had said yes to coming all the same.

Kenna was also worried about her friend. Carly hadn’t been going anywhere since the confrontation with Shawn at Duke’s, preferring to stay in her apartment as much as possible until it was time to go to work. It wasn’t as if Kenna blamed her; if Shawn was her ex, she’d be extremely careful as well, but it wasn’t exactly healthy for Carly to lock herself away.

One more reason to hate Shawn.

But today she’d convinced Carly to come with her, and was looking forward to spending time with her friend outside of work.

As they drove toward the western side of the island, Kenna said as nonchalantly as she could, “So…how are things with Jag? You guys still talking?”

“They’re fine. And yes.”

Kenna could tell Carly didn’t want to talk about the handsome SEAL, but she wasn’t ready to drop it. “Marshall said he’s worried about you.”

Carly sighed and looked over at Kenna. “Look, I know you’re deliriously happy with Marshall, but don’t go getting ideas that I’m gonna end up with his friend. I’m done with guys. Seriously. Maybe not forever, but for the foreseeable future. Okay?”

“Okay, okay,” Kenna said. “I want you to be happy. And just because Shawn wasn’t the man for you doesn’t mean someone else isn’t. Not to mention, they’re not all abusive assholes either.”

“I know. And I really do like Jag. He’s nice and he makes me feel safe. But I’m still not ready. I feel like I need to get my feet under me again. Learn to be happy on my own for a while. It also wouldn’t be fair to him to be a rebound.”

“I get it,” Kenna said. And she did. She had a feeling if Carly let Jag in, she wouldn’t regret the decision, but she had to be the one to decide when she was ready to move on. “Thanks for coming with me today,” she said, changing the subject.

Carly smiled. “Thanks for asking me. I know I need to get out more, but I just imagine Shawn jumping out and hurting me the second I leave my apartment.”

“I understand. But no one is gonna hurt you today. This should be fun.”

“Who’s gonna be there again? The two women from Duke’s the other night, I know, but who else?”

“Yeah, Elodie and Lexie. Lexie works for Food For All and they’re expanding into this new location. She’s apparently in charge of getting it all set up. Another woman who works with her, Ashlyn, will also be there from what I understand.”