Montana SEAL (Brotherhood Protectors #1)(16)

Hank’s gut tightened and he shot a glance across the table, his hand curling around hers. “You came to my graduation?”

She nodded, a smile spreading across her face. “I was working in LA as a waitress. I saved all of my tips so that I could afford to drive down for your graduation.”

His chest filled with a combination of pride and pain. He’d been so happy to make it through the grueling training, and sad no one cared enough to come to his graduation. “Why didn’t you tell me you were there?”

She shrugged. “You were busy celebrating with the men who made it through with you. That’s where you needed to be.”

“I would rather have celebrated with you.” Once again, she’d proven she didn’t want him in her life. “Why did you bother to come, then?”

“I was so proud of you. I couldn’t stay away.”

“How did you know? I thought when you turned down my proposal, you didn’t want anything more to do with me.”

“I turned down your proposal because we were too young. Hell, we were just kids. We still had a world to explore, to make our own way and figure out who we wanted to be.”

“And now?”

Sadie opened her mouth, but didn’t get the chance to respond.

“Here we are. A loaded club sandwich and the house special, chicken salad.” Daisy set the plates in front of them and stood back. “Is there anything else I can get you?”

“No, thank you.” Sadie said, her gaze dropping away from his.

Hank shook his head, his gaze on the woman sitting across from him as he waited for Daisy to leave so that Sadie could answer his question.

When Daisy tuned away, Hank fixed Sadie with a look. “You were saying?”

Sadie stared down at her salad. “It doesn’t matter. We live different lives. You have your SEAL team. I have my work.

Hank didn’t correct her. In thirty days, when the board had their say, he might not have his SEAL team. He’d have to start over, find out where he fit in the civilian world.

Rather than pressure her for a real response, he lifted his sandwich and asked, “How long do you plan on being in the movie industry?”

“I like what I do, but I’m becoming more selective about the projects I accept.”

“I guess that comes with being one of the most sought-after actresses in the world.” He nodded. “If I haven’t told you before, congratulations on realizing your dreams. I’ve seen every one of your movies. You have a gift.”

Her cheeks heated, and she smiled. “Thank you. That means a lot, coming from you.”

“Why me?”

“I could always count on you to tell me the truth. If you didn’t like the movie, you’d tell me.”

“Sometimes, I could be painfully honest.”

“Like the time you told me you didn’t like me wearing braids—that it made me look like a little girl.”

He grinned. “I didn’t feel right kissing you. It made me feel like a pervert. Besides, you are so much sexier with your hair down around your shoulders. Like it is now.” He reached across the table and lifted a strand of her hair. It felt natural to touch Sadie’s. He’d always been casual with his hands and quick to give a caress. Time hadn’t changed that. And she didn’t seem to mind. “If anything, you’re even more beautiful than you were in high school, though you were pretty damned gorgeous then.”

Her cheeks flushed a soft pink. “Thank you.”

They spent the rest of their meal eating in silence. When they left the diner, Hank exited first. He checked both directions, looking for the cameraman, Sadie’s agent or anyone else who might cause problems. When he was convinced the coast was clear, he held the door for her.

Sadie shook her head. “You take your job seriously.”

“Your life is serious business.” He rested a hand at the small of her back, telling himself it was to keep her close. So wrapped up in the warmth of her body against his hand, he forgot about the curb and nearly fell. Though he caught himself before tumbling, the jolt sliced pain through his injured leg and he winced.

Sadie reached for his elbow. “Are you okay?”

Hank straightened, pushed back the pain and the urge to curse. “I’m fine,” he said through clenched teeth. As fine as he could be two weeks after having surgery to remove shrapnel from his knee and thigh. The stitches had been removed the day he’d gotten word his father had been shot. The scars were tender, but he would heal.

“If you need to take it slowly—”

“I said, I’m fine,” he snapped and stepped out like he had no injury, biting down on his tongue to keep from letting go of a sting of profanity. “Where to?”

Her glance searched his face. “I’d like run by the convenience store for a few items, then I’ll be ready to go back to the ranch.”

“We can ride together,” he said.

“No need. It’s just around the corner.” She climbed into her Jeep.

Hank eased into his own, rubbing his sore leg, willing the pain to subside. “Some bodyguard you are,” he muttered. The woman he was guarding had asked if he was okay, not the other way around. If he planned to establish a new career in the personal security business, he wasn’t starting out with a bang. Hank supposed it wasn’t unreasonable to have a learning curve. He hoped the curve and his injury didn’t put Sadie at risk.