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Great. I’m fucked. But that doesn’t mean Jackson has to be. “Sirs, would it be better if Jackson and I aren’t seen together?”
The man in question whips his head around to glare at me. I stubbornly ignore him, waiting for one of the big bosses to answer. Unfortunately, O’Reilly defers to Judge, who is hardly an unbiased party. “I don’t think it’s necessary to avoid one another. I only advise spending as much time in the public arena as possible until Jasper can meet with the investigators. Speaking of which, I better excuse myself to call him.”
Judge asks permission from Knot, who nods and ends the lockdown. “Okay, here’s what I want. Chelsea, you stay here or go somewhere with your team. Bennett, you either return to Little Creek or go somewhere with yours.”
“Sir, can a combination of our groups meet up later?” Jackson asks through clenched teeth.
O’Reilly purses his lips, then, “I don’t have a problem with it. Warden?”
Knot shakes his head and dismisses all of us while he and O’Reilly stick around to call Admiral Jameson.
I scurry from the room but not to hide. I wait in the hallway near the elevator and grab Jackson as he clears the corner.
“What the_!”
I trap him against the wall with my hand over his mouth. “Before you say anything, I’m not offering myself up for the good of the team. I’m being logical. My face is the one on all the cameras with Harding. Birdie checked and found no cameras in the private dining rooms, but anyone who looks deep enough will see us leaving the Willard together. If we flaunt our relationship, it’ll cast doubt on our account of the situation.”
Jackson didn’t struggle while I spoke and isn’t demanding to be released. Sensing we have an audience, I remove my hand and back away slowly. “Okay?”
My lover clears his throat and glances at his chuckling teammates. “I was just going to say your idea makes sense.”
My cheeks heat for overreacting. “Oh. Um. Well then.”
The gathered group is full-on laughing now. Cheeks still blazing, I turn toward them in time for Fish to elbow Bash. “What do you think, Laurent? Should we meet up later so these two don’t go through withdrawals?”
Bash covers his mouth to hide his smile. “I think we’d better. The usual place?”
“Sounds good.”
The current and former SEALs bump fists and head for the door. Fish grabs Jackson’s shirt on the way out, forcing him to leave, though it’s clear Jackson isn’t finished with me.
Birdie tucks her arm in mine and does the same. “Since our boss doesn’t want you going home, we’re going out.”
I groan at the thought of going shopping, so Birdie teases, “Unless you would rather stay here.”
The three of us kill the entire day, walking around and visiting the little shops near Bastien’s house, having lunch at his local deli, and shopping at the closest mall. By three, I’m ready to tap out and go back to Knot Corp.
My life is in the twilight zone right now. I mean, how else could I go from having mind-blowing sex to a national crisis to slurping a smoothie in just a matter of hours? The dichotomy is melting my brain.
Bash picks up on my glitch and suggests a change. “How about a movie?”
I laugh at the idea but ultimately agree. “Why not?”
At least in a theatre, I don’t have to be nice to anyone. I can sit and stew quietly in the dark. By the end of the action thriller, it’s almost time to meet at the SEAL bar. Birdie suggests running by her house to freshen up and put on our new outfits.
Mine is a flowy romper with a plunging halter neckline. It’s a dusty slate blue with gathered ankles and has pockets.
“Ooh, that’s pretty,” Birdie gushes when I enter the living room.
“Hmm. I like that it shows off my fit top half while hiding my hips, but I’m a little nervous at how much it emphasizes my ass.”
“Girl, that’s the best part.”
Bash keeps his opinion to himself, thankfully.
I take my car to the Taphouse, planning to spend the night in the staff dorm at Knot Corp. tonight. As I drive toward Virginia Beach, I realize for the first time I have zero anxiety about going to a social event. It’s a stunning revelation, and I have Jackson to thank. I wonder if we can find a private place where I can thank him improperly.
Chelsea