Finding Kenna (SEAL Team Hawaii #3)(67)

Feeling better after the small pep talk, Kenna headed into her room. She needed to get out and go for a long run. Some people would say that was stupid after getting the note last night, but she hadn’t worked out for a while and needed the release of endorphins running provided.

Right before she headed out the door, Kenna turned back around and grabbed the pepper spray her parents had badgered her to buy for her safety. She might be confident and independent, but she wasn’t stupid.

“Be safe, wherever you are,” she whispered, hoping somehow, someway, Marshall would know she was thinking and worrying about him. Then she took a deep breath…and got on with her life.





Chapter Fifteen





“Are you sure we’re allowed to be in here?” Carly asked Kenna as they entered the lobby of the Coral Springs condo complex.

She chuckled. “I’m sure.” But Kenna couldn’t blame Carly for being uneasy. She’d felt the same way when she’d come back the first time by herself. Robert had been working, and he’d recognized and welcomed her, making her feel much better about being there.

She’d stayed at Marshall’s condo several times in the last month. It made her feel closer to him. She hadn’t expected him to be gone so long. For some reason, she thought the SEAL team would dash into whatever country they were deployed to, take out their target or rescue whoever they were there to rescue or find the information they were going to find, whatever their mission was, and be back within a week.

When she’d finally given in and sent Elodie a text to ask if it was normal for them to be gone so long, she hadn’t been comforted when the other woman replied they’d never been gone this long before. At least, not since she and Mustang had gotten together.

So Kenna decided the girls’ night Marshall had suggested was long overdue. She should’ve done this a couple weeks ago, but was reluctant since the condo didn’t belong to her. But she’d finally gotten over that, and had asked Elodie and Lexie if they wanted to spend a night at Marshall’s place with her. And when she’d asked Lexie if she thought Ashlyn might want to come, Lexie had said she’d be thrilled.

It seemed a little junior high-ish to arrange a sleepover, but Kenna was almost giddy with excitement about it nonetheless. She’d gone a little overboard in buying drinks and snacks, but didn’t feel a bit embarrassed. She wanted everyone to be comfortable and happy.

Kenna had just met Carly outside and was escorting her in.

“Good afternoon, ladies,” Robert said with a smile.

“Hi, Robert. This is my friend, Carly Stewart. She’s gonna be spending the night with me in Marshall’s condo.”

“Got a fun night planned?” Robert asked with a twinkle in his eye. Kenna estimated him to be in his late forties to mid-fifties. He was always smiling, so friendly and helpful. The more she got to know him, the more she liked him.

“Yup.”

“Well, if you need anything, you’ve got my number,” he told Kenna. “If you want to use some equipment on the beach, or reserve one of the barbeque grills on the plaza, just let me know.”

“I will. But I think we’re gonna stay in tonight,” Kenna said.

“We’ve got a whole room of DVDs, if you prefer. No one really rents them out anymore, now that there are so many subscription services on TV, but if you get bored and want a specific movie, I’m sure we probably have it and it can be brought up.”

“Thanks,” Kenna told him.

They got Carly signed in and headed up to Marshall’s penthouse. When Kenna put her palm on the panel next to the door, Carly couldn’t keep quiet anymore.

“Wow! This place is super fancy!” Carly exclaimed with wide eyes as the door automatically unlocked.

Kenna grinned. “Believe it or not, you get used to it.”

“So, you’re no longer a bons?” Carly asked.

Kenna burst out laughing. “Apparently not. I’ve found there are definitely perks to having money.” She gestured for Carly to enter the condo first, knowing exactly what her reaction was going to be when she walked in.

And she wasn’t disappointed. Carly gasped and made a beeline for the balcony.

Laughing, Kenna followed and they both went outside.

“Holy shit, girl,” Carly said. “This is…I don’t know what this is. It’s amazing. Stupendous. Awesome. Incredible. And every other superlative adjective you can think of.”

“Right?” Kenna asked. “I told Marshall I was moving out here the first time I saw it. That I was going to put a mattress in the corner and live here.”

Carly turned to her friend. “I’m happy for you.”

“Because my boyfriend has money?” Kenna asked.

“No. Well, yes, that doesn’t hurt. But more because you’re so happy. Content in a way I didn’t really notice before you met Marshall. And before you get all weird on me, I’m not saying that you need a rich guy to be satisfied. You guys just fit. You’re perfect together.”

“Thanks. I miss him so much, but I’m also damn proud of him at the same time. And yes, I feel settled.”

They smiled at each other for a moment before Kenna headed back inside. “Come on, help me get everything organized before the others get here.”