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CALLIE FOLLOWED WYATT as he guided her out the front door several hours later. He’d insisted on going first as they exited the building, which was sweet although unnecessary. Coconuts wasn’t some hotbed of terrorist activity. They were in a touristy, busy section of Honolulu. Still, the way he watched out for her made warmth flood her chest. Wyatt was as protective as he’d been all those months ago. He might not be rescuing her from a hijacked airplane, but she still felt safe with him.
Wyatt stood several inches taller than her as she followed him, and she took in his broad shoulders, muscular neck, and short cropped hair. His shirt stretched over his back, and his warm hand clasped around Callie’s to keep her close. Even his hand was strong, with calloused fingers from hard work. Shivers snaked down her spine at his touch, but he released his grip as soon as they were both through the doors.
They’d talked and laughed over the meal, an impromptu double-date of sorts since Alexa and Austin had also been there. Austin was hilarious, having them all in stitches with some of his stories. Wyatt was more content to observe and listen. He’d been gentle with her, too, seeming to notice her right arm bothered her at times. Callie wasn’t sure most people even paid attention to that sort of thing, but he was sharp, noticing everything. She figured in his line of work, he needed to be attentive to every detail and constantly aware of his surroundings. No doubt a lot of that was what made him such a good SEAL.
Wyatt glanced back, those green eyes watching her, making sure she was okay. He had a clean, spicy scent that had her body taking notice. She had no business being attracted to him, but it was what it was. Wyatt was a good-looking man. By some stroke of dumb luck, she’d run into him here all the way around the world. She’d seen him at her absolute worst, and he’d still been interested in her.
“Thanks for letting me buy you dinner,” he said in a low tone, his lips quirking. “Some women would act all offended at my wanting to pay.”
“Well, that’s just crazy,” Callie said. “I don’t have the time or energy to get offended over something like that. But since you bought dinner for me, maybe I can cook for you sometime? If you want,” she quickly added.
He grinned. “I’d love that. I’ll admit I’m kind of a novice in the kitchen, but I can grill pretty decently. We’ll set something up,” he said. “The guys and I have a crazy day tomorrow, but I’d love to see you again soon.”
“You still didn’t give me your number,” she said, feeling shy.
“I wasn’t about to let you drive off without getting it,” he assured her with a wink. “I lost you once and don’t want to let that happen again.”
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“I went back to check on you again—in Manila,” he said, his voice low. “I spoke with you the first time I stopped by the triage area, but when I went back later to see how you were, you were already gone.”
She stared at him a moment in surprise. Callie couldn’t imagine why this gruff, macho guy would single her out amongst the hundreds of passengers. Clearly, he couldn’t give everyone that level of attention.
“I noticed you,” he said, understanding her confusion. “It was hell on that plane, but even in the middle of that mess, you stood out to me.”
“I was so out of it,” she admitted. “I don’t even know what you thought when you saw me.”
“I thought you were the bravest woman I’d ever seen,” Wyatt said, startling her. “You were stronger than most of the other passengers. No one knows how they’ll react in an emergency, but you had some of the worst of it when you were singled out. You didn’t panic. You survived. You walked out of that cockpit yourself with a broken arm until I helped you off the airplane.”
“It was my fault,” Callie said, her voice wobbling. “A woman had passed out, and I told the hijackers to let her off the plane. It was stupid, because I just drew attention to myself.”
Wyatt stilled. “Damn. I didn’t realize that’s what happened. We had to give our AAR—After Action Report. I didn’t read the details of everything that occurred before we boarded, however. There are hundreds of pages outlining exactly what occurred. You’re brave as hell, Callie.”
“It doesn’t feel that way,” she said, glancing away from him. Her gaze swept across the parking lot. It was still sunny outside, and she watched a few people walking to their cars. Wyatt reached out, brushing a strand of her hair back as it blew in the gentle Hawaiian breeze. His touch was so warm, and she met his eyes again.
“It was. Trust me, as a Navy SEAL, I’ve seen my fair share of shit in the world. Situations like that can bring out the worst in people. They panic and fight with the others who are just as scared as them in their haste to escape and save themselves. You tried to help another person—someone weaker than you who couldn’t speak for herself.”
“And now I’m hiding out here in Hawaii,” she said, feeling her eyes water.
“What are you hiding from?” Wyatt asked quietly.
She shrugged. “Nothing. Everything. I didn’t like the attention I got after the hijacking and decided I just needed to disappear for a while.” There was no need to go into further details now. She didn’t even know who’d sought her out online or what they wanted with her. Callie knew it had to do with the hijacking. The terrorists who’d taken over the plane had been killed, and she felt no remorse over their deaths. She couldn’t imagine what the mystery person who’d contacted her thought she knew. Yes, she’d blocked out some of what happened for her own self-preservation, but even so, Callie didn’t know anything. She’d sat there shaking in the cockpit, in an immense amount of pain from her broken arm. She’d been taken to safety as soon as Wyatt’s team stormed the plane and eliminated the threat.
Wyatt was studying her but seemed to sense she didn’t want to elaborate. No doubt he was curious and would ask her more at some point. What would she even say? Half of what had happened was simply a blur.
“Do you follow much on the news surrounding the incident?”
“The hijacking? No,” she said with a shudder. “That’s something I want to forget. I gave my statement to the investigators. The person who interviewed me gave me his business card in case I thought of anything else, but it’s just—nothing. I blocked out most of it.”
“That’s understandable,” he said gently.
“Was it in the news again or something?” she asked, cocking her head as she looked at him. A rowdy group was coming outside just then, and she stepped closer to Wyatt. He immediately shifted so his body was between hers and the restaurant patrons. Callie could feel the heat radiating off his large frame. He was all male, and her heart fluttered at his closeness.
Wyatt swallowed, seemingly affected by their sudden closeness as well. His next words caused her breath to catch. “One of the pilots is missing.”
“What?”
He frowned. “Unfortunately, it’s true. The pilots and flight attendants were all placed on leave for several months after the incident. The co-pilot eventually retired. I believe most of the flight crew returned to work, aside from the woman who was killed, obviously. The pilot returned to duty as well and was flying several long-haul flights. He just went missing recently.”
“Oh my gosh,” Callie said, her mind whirling.
“I’m not saying this to scare you, but you said you didn’t like the attention. Did anyone contact you? I know you had a big following online.”
“Sort of, but I took down my social media channels.”
Wyatt looked surprised. “Really?”
“Well, yeah. I thought it was better to go dark for a while—disappear. If anyone looked hard enough, they could figure out I was on that flight. I posted hints about my travels. Shoot, I even took a picture at the airport in Manila. It didn’t show much, but....” She shrugged.
“You don’t owe me an explanation,” he assured her. “Just know that I’d help you if there was a problem.”
“I know,” she said quietly. A car driving by honked at that moment, and she jolted.
“It’s okay,” Wyatt said, his big hand resting on her forearm. “We stood out here talking longer than I intended. I’ve got to be on base early tomorrow morning. Why don’t I walk you to your car?”
“Sure, sounds good,” she said, feeling slightly relieved. As much as she trusted Wyatt, she hated talking about any of her old life. It was bittersweet having to start anew. She was lucky to be alive, essentially living in paradise. It was her decision to switch up her career for a while. Wyatt pulled out his phone when they stopped at her Mini Cooper, and she eagerly told him her number. Wyatt shot her a text so she’d have his contact info as well.
“I’d like to see you again,” he said, his voice husky.
“I’d like that, too,” she agreed.
“So, I’ll be in touch.” Wyatt shocked the hell out of her by taking her hand just then and lightly brushing his lips across the back of it. She could feel her face heating, and felt both flattered and flushed by his attention. He’d made no secret of his interest in her. She was attracted to him, too, but knew it didn’t mean much. He had his career in the Navy and probably traveled all the time. She was just...here. Trying to find her way.
“Goodnight Callie,” he said, reaching down to open her car door for her. “Tonight was the surprise of my life, but I had fun.”
“Me too,” she assured him.
“Do me a favor and text me when you get home. I know Hawaii is safe, but humor me.”
“Will do,” she said, searching his gaze. He closed the door behind her after she slid in and then stepped back as she started the engine. Callie had a feeling Wyatt would stand there and watch as she drove away. He was protective, and she couldn’t deny how good that made her feel.
