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ALLISON

R ussell’s eyes widen. Briefly he glances her way, taking her in, as if seeing her for the first time. Allison presses her lips together to hide her smile. Turning her head, she pretends to look out her window. For some insane reason she feels a little smug that she’s been able to surprise this badass Marine. Her brow crinkles when she remembers something Emma had said.

“So, you and Curtis are on a team together, what does that mean, exactly?” Allison queries to take the focus off of her. Russell’s head jerks in her direction, shock on his face. He quickly schools his features and turns back to watch the road.

“I’d answer your question, sugar, but then I’d have to kill you,” Russell chuckles. “We wouldn’t want that now, would we?” She rolls her eyes and frowns. Now, her curiosity is seriously peaked. Emma had definitely said Curtis is on a team and Russell had referred to him as his teammate.

Are they some kind of special forces soldiers? She needs to look into special forces in the Marines. A couple of guys she knows back home in California, are in the Navy, but they still might have some insight for her. She pulls out her cell phone to text one of them, when she sees a text from Emma. She had texted that Russell would be picking her up and had even included a picture. Allison crinkles her nose. The photo doesn’t do the man, sitting next to her, justice.

Seeing the text reminds her how she’d flown out of her apartment to meet the Uber. Replaying it over in her mind causes that nagging feeling to come back with a vengeance. Then, it hits her. “Well fuck!” she exclaims, loudly.

“What’s wrong, sugar?” Russell’s voice laced with concern. Her eyes meet his gaze, briefly.

“I just remembered I didn’t lock my apartment door,” Allison informs him. “I saw a text from Emma about you picking me up, which made me remember about how I was running late when I left.” Her fingers fly over her phone as she types out a text to Amelia, a sweet older woman, who lives next door. Allison had made friends with her, shortly after moving in.

Allison: Hey, can I beg a favor?

Amelia: Sure! What’s up?

Allison: I left this morning for my cousin’s wedding, and I didn’t lock my apartment door!

Allison: I’m such an idiot. Could you get the key that’s hanging up on the left just inside the door and lock it for me? I’ll get the key back when I return next week.

Amelia: Absolutely! At work rn, but I’ll do it when I get home.

Allison: Thanks! You’re the best!

Amelia: I know ;)

Allison laughs out loud at her neighbor’s cheeky reply. The woman might be in her fifties, but she stays up to date with the latest tech and text language. Not to mention she’s sassy as hell. I want to be her when I grow up!

Russell glances at her with concern. Apparently, she’d said that out loud. “I’m used to being by myself a lot, so sometimes I talk to myself.” Russell frowns, and she can tell he’s about to say something. “Don’t judge me! I’m not crazy.”

“I don’t think you’re crazy,” Russell replies. “I’m just wondering why a woman as beautiful as you is by herself so much?”

“Is that supposed to be a pick-up line?” Allison questions, snorting out a laugh. “Because it’s the lamest one I’ve ever heard.”

“You’ve obviously never met Straw,” Russell concludes. “And no, it’s not a pick-up line. I’m genuinely curious.” Hmm, he actually seems sincere.

“Oh! I have met Straw and several other guys,” Allison says, turning in her seat to face him, “when Emma and Curtis came to San Diego last year, but I don’t recall meeting you though. I would have remembered.”

“Are you saying I’m unforgettable?” Russell questions. She rolls her eyes.

“Not at all what I said,” she accuses. “I just have an excellent memory.”

Tilting her head, she considers him. “You really think I’m beautiful?” Allison drops her head into her hands. Really? Did she just ask him that? Talk about blasting your insecurities. There she goes thinking out loud, again. She huffs out a frustrated breath.

“Yes.”

Russell’s simple answer takes her breath away. Allison looks out her window, a smile lighting up her face. She doesn’t want him to see how his words have affected her. She’s dated and had a couple of semi-serious boyfriends, but none of them had told her she was beautiful. Cute? Pretty? Yeah, she’s heard those words a few times, but not beautiful or gorgeous. She hadn’t realized it was something she had wanted or needed to hear, but coming from him? It definitely hit home.