Page 15 of Gwen's Delta

“Nope. You’ll learn that about me. If I want something, I go for it. You have to seize the opportunity when it presents itself.”

“That sounds like a quote from a book.”

“It is a quote, but one of my granddad’s. He lived by it, and I try, too.”

“I think it’s great. Your grandfather sounds like he was an amazing man.”

“He was. I still miss him every day,” Luke said.

“You said you go out of town a lot. I thought the Army sends you on long deployments, like a year or so. Am I wrong?”

“You’re right. And my team gets deployed, too, but sometimes, we just go on special assignments. When that happens, we don’t get a lot of notice.”

Maybe he was in one of those elite special teams. She couldn’t remember them all.

Gwen decided to seize the opportunity, too. “You’re in luck, I am free tomorrow. It’s my one day off. Where do you want to meet?”

“Would you be willing to drive to Killeen? Then after we eat, I can show you my book collection.”

“Is the collection at your house?”

“Yeah, but I promise there really is a collection of books, it’s not code for sex.”

Just because she agreed to lunch didn’t mean shehadto go back to his place. They’d just met. She didn’t know anyone in Killeen. What if he was dangerous? Except her gut said it was safe, and he’d shopped in the store. They had his address and credit card information on file. She’d just leave a note for her grandparents in case she disappeared.

“How about we see how lunch goes, and then take it from there, okay?” There, that sounded good.

“Sure, that works,” Luke agreed.

“Do you have a restaurant in mind?”

“How do you feel about Mediterranean food? There’s this place I found called the Tigris Grille. It’s got the best falafel I’ve had outside of the middle east.”

“I love it, and it’s been ages since I’ve had it. What time?”

“How about one? I have a meeting in the morning, and I don’t want you to have to wait if it runs long.”

“That works. I’ll see you at one.” Just thinking about seeing him again made her pulse race.

“Thank you for agreeing to meet me for lunch.”

“Thank you for asking.” Gwen hated not knowing what to say.

“I guess I should let you go. I’m sure after working all day, you were looking forward to relaxing.”

“I was just reading, and I’ve enjoyed talking to you.”

“I’m glad you have. Hey, you never said which book.”

She’d almost forgotten he’d asked. It seemed like ages ago. “After you mentionedRobinson Crusoe,I decided I needed to read it again. It’s been a while.”

“Really? Did I influence the choice?”

He had no idea. Gwen hoped she could keep her cool at lunch and not sound like some idiot fifteen-year-old. “Maybe, but don’t let it go to your head.”

“I won’t. Good night, Gwen. See you tomorrow.”

“Good night, Luke.”