Page 26

PATIENCE

I t was Patience’s last shift at the Ready Room before she left in two days for Swuyji, a small country in central Africa. Her parents had flown in for her graduation but had to go back the next day. She didn’t mind. It gave her a few days to get packed and spend time with Livie.

Patience wouldn’t be returning until the fall, only a few weeks prior to starting her residency at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

She and Livie were beyond thrilled to be staying in Norfolk.

That they’d gotten their first choices meant a lot, but it was mostly because of their hard work and excellent grades.

Since Livie and Theo were together, that took some of the guilt Patience felt about leaving her behind.

Every other year, Livie had gone home to Georgia, but since she’d stopped talking to her family, she was staying home.

With Theo in her life, she’d never be alone between work and him.

Their lives had changed so much this year.

They’d both graduated from medical school at the top of their class and now were about to take the first step toward the rest of their lives. Livie had found love, too.

Patience hoped to see Quinn before she left, but she’d given up on that since they hadn’t returned yet. She knew he was okay from what Livie passed on from Theo, but she’d wanted to see it for herself.

When she saw the Red Falcon team at their usual table near the back of the barroom, her heart rate skyrocketed. Hurrying to the back to stow her backpack, she grabbed her apron and rushed out.

Waving at Tony as she raced by, she stopped as she pushed through the doors into the bar area so she wouldn’t crash into Livie.

The look on her roommate’s face said everything.

Her heart squeezed tight in her chest, making it difficult to breathe.

Patience would bet that Livie could read all her thoughts.

Disappointment, longing, and finally anger.

Of course, he wasn’t there. For a SEAL, he sure was a chicken.

Livie grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “Patience, the team’s here, but not Quinn. I asked Josh, and he said he couldn’t make it tonight.”

Taking a deep breath, she centered herself and squeezed Livie’s hand. It was okay. She’d be okay. Everything was okay. She’d known this was a possibility. In fact, if the entire team hadn’t gone, she’d have thought he’d asked for the long deployment to avoid her. Stubborn man.

Fine. If Quinn didn’t want to see her, that was a him problem, not a her problem. Patience had a job to do, probably for the last time. She’d be darned sure to leave everyone with a smile on their face, even if hers was fake.

“Are you okay, Patience?” Pam’s gaze went from Patience to the table with the team. “I heard they had a successful deployment. No injuries this time, either. If that’s what’s worrying you.”

“That’s wonderful. I’m glad they are back. And nope, I guess I’m just a little sad tonight is my last. I was hoping to say goodbye to everyone. We’re busy. I’d better get my butt in gear.”

Before Livie or Pam could say anything else, Patience stopped to check on all her assigned tables. She’d get through tonight. If it stayed this busy, it would be an easier task.

She’d avoided the Red Falcons as long as possible, when Doc caught her eye. Pulling out her order pad, she approached them with a huge smile on her face.

“Welcome back. I hear you had a successful trip.”

Josh gave her one of his award-winning smiles. “We sure did. If we’re lucky, we’ll get a few weeks off.”

“That would be great. Can I get you anything? Refill the pitchers? More food?” Patience slid her gaze around the table. The team and their women looked exhausted, but happy. It had to be just as hard on Harmony, Tempest, and Grace with them away.

“Yeah, another round of everything, please,” Ry said.

Grace laughed as she patted Lucky on his flat stomach. “Yeah, these guys could probably eat everything you have in the kitchen after living on MREs for the last few months.”

Lucky leaned over and kissed his fiancée and then smiled at Patience. “She’s totally right, too. When we’re in the middle of butt-fuck nowhere, we always talk about the food back home. By the time we get here, we’re ravenous for it and a few other things.” He wiggled his eyebrows and chuckled.

“Shit, Lucky, don’t embarrass her,” Grace smacked him on the arm.

“Aww, I’m sorry if I did, Patience.”

“No problem. I get it. I’ll be right back with your order.” As Patience turned to walk away, Doc grabbed her arm.

“Can I talk to you for a minute?” he asked.

“Sure. Here or…”

“Let’s go somewhere more private. If that’s okay?” Doc asked.

“Umm, yeah. Let me put the order in with Pam. Then we can go back to the pool room. I think it’s empty.”

Doc nodded. “I’ll be right back. Don’t eat all those chicken wings before I do.”

Josh shrugged. “Then don’t be gone long. You know we can’t be trusted around food.”

“Don’t I know it,” he said.

Patience laughed and headed to turn in the order to Tony. When she came back out, Doc was waiting for her. “I’m stepping away, but I’ll be back to grab the pitchers in a couple of minutes.”

Pam nodded. “No problem, honey. They can wait a few if need be.”

Doc followed her into the empty Pool Room.

Patience rubbed her damp hands on the side of her jeans.

What could he possibly have to say to her for him to need privacy?

Was there something wrong with Quinn? Was he hurt?

Surely Theo would have told her, right? A million things ran through her mind as she waited for Doc to speak.

“I can see you’re worried. That’s the last thing I want. But I need to talk to you about Quinn.”

“Is he all right? Did he get injured? Or…”

“No, it’s nothing like that. Let me just say, I think he’s being an ass.” Doc ran his hand through his hair, just like Quinn. God, how she missed him, but he was right even though she was shocked Doc would say so.

Patience’s jaw dropped. “You do?”

“Yeah, and I’m not the only one. The entire team feels the same. But I’m sure you know how stubborn he is.”

Patience nodded. Stubborn, pigheaded, cantankerous, she could make an entire list of things he was.

“He’s convinced that he’s not good enough for you.”

“What? Are you kidding me? How did he come up with that idea?”

“Well, it’s not my story to tell, but let’s just say he believes you deserve better. Someone closer to your age, who’s less, umm, let’s say battle worn.”

“That’s ridiculous. We’re not even that far apart in age. Ten years I think, if that. But why are you telling me this?”

“Because he cares about you.”

“He has a funny way of showing it,” Patience grumbled.

“That’s also true. I don’t think you should give up on him. He was miserable while we were gone. Not that he said why, but the only time he smiled was when Theo would text him with updates.”

“Really?” That small piece of hope she’d buried when he left flared to life like a burning flame in her heart.

Could she make him see reason? Damn. She was leaving in two days.

That didn’t leave her much time. “I’m leaving in a couple of days.

I’ll be gone until late August. I don’t know what I can do. ”

“I’m not sure you can do anything. But if you want to try, this is his address. He’s going to kill me when he finds out I gave it to you, but I’ll take that risk.” Doc handed her a cocktail napkin with an address.

“Are you sure about this?”

“Never more sure in my life. But you’re the one who needs to be sure. If you don’t care about him in that way, then leave him alone. He’s got enough issues. He doesn’t need you to break his heart, too.”

Patience shook her head. “I don’t know. Showing up at his house when he’s been avoiding me…

It just seems wrong. I love him. More than I ever thought possible.

But I don’t want to make things worse. I appreciate you giving me this and talking to me.

Thank you.” She hugged Doc and then hurried out of the room.

The last thing she wanted was for him to see the tears she couldn’t hold back.

Rushing into the Ladies Room, she locked herself in a stall and let herself have a few minutes to cry.

All of this was so hard. Why couldn’t he see that just being around him made her happy?

He saw her. Actually saw her. He treated her better than anyone ever had in her life.

Well, until he realized he was being soft and turned into a bull-headed SEAL again.

Using toilet paper to wipe her eyes. She took a deep breath. No decision had to be made right then. There was a little time before she left, or she could text him. She’d held off because of the way he’d left it, but after what Doc said, maybe she needed to make the first move.

There was a knock on the door, and Livie called out, “Patience, are you okay? Pam said you’re crying.”

Ugh. So much for keeping her emotions in check at work. “Yeah, I’m fine or I will be. We can talk about it later. I just needed a couple of minutes to get a grip.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. I’ll be right out. Please tell Pam not to worry.”

“Will do. Love you, Patty.”

“Love you too, Livie. Thank you for always having my back.”

“Same as you have mine, girl. Never forget it.”

After the door clicked closed, Patience came out of the stall and stood at the sink.

Her eyes were red rimmed from crying, and her skin was blotchy.

Just freaking great. At least she hadn’t put on any makeup, so she didn’t have raccoon eyes.

Splashing some water on her face, she sighed.

“You’ve got this girl,” she said to her reflection. With a nod, she headed back to work.