MOSTLY, BEN ENJOYED the graduation ceremonies. He understood the work the grunts had put in and it was a joyous time after a lot of blood, sweat and tears. But today all he could think about was Ainsley. He wanted to see her.
She’d texted him a couple of times already, and he knew she was anxious. So was he. Meeting her parents was nothing short of fear-inducing and he’d been in a lot of scary situations.
Finally, after two hours in traffic, he pulled up on what he thought was the right road.
This can’t be it.
Ben stretched his neck out of the truck to look past the iron gate that had been left open for the line of cars pulling through. He’d thought she said the event was at her parents’ home. Glancing down at his phone, he double-checked the numbers and then looked back at the address carved in the stone wall.
Yep, this was the place. As he moved farther along the long drive and the house came into view, he blew out a long whistle.
Home sweet hotel.
She was rich. He’d known that in theory. But he hadn’t been expecting this. The house was bigger than some makeshift bases he’d stayed at, and that was not an exaggeration.
This kind of rich was something that didn’t seem to be within the realm of possibility. It was one thing to read about it and look at pictures, but quite another to have it hit you hard in the face. The collar of his dress blues grew tight around his neck. It took a lot to make his palms sweat, but they were damp against the steering wheel.
No way he’d fit in here. All those insecurities about being a kid from a modest one-parent household—and a struggling one parent at that—flooded his mind.
Her dad would see right through him.
He could text her. Tell her that his mom was upset he wasn’t already in Austin, which was true. Mom had called earlier and told him that if helping a woman was so important, he should bring her home to meet his mother.
He’d promised to see what he could do, but explained that Christmas was a big deal to her family. That this party was important to her, and he wanted to be there for her.
He glanced up again and took a deep breath.
The monstrosity of a house made of stone and glass leered back at him, reminding him just how naive he could be sometimes, even after everything he’d been through.
No wonder her father was trying to find her a rich husband—somebody who would fit easily into this world, know what to expect. Ben didn’t measure up.
Feeling protective toward Ainsley was something he could understand. But this—he just couldn’t wrap his mind around it.
His phone buzzed. He answered without looking.
“Hello.”
“Where are you?” she asked. The anxiousness in her voice brought him back to earth. She was upset. “I swear if Dad introduces me to one more of his young associates I’m going to scream. Loud. I’m not saying that to make you jealous. I don’t think he believes you are real. That’s the only thing I can figure. I will start screaming soon, and then my mom’s going to be really embarrassed and I’ll probably end up on the gossip pages as they haul me out in a white coat with those funny arms. I’m...weak. I guess. I don’t know. But I can’t take it anymore. Tell me not to go crazy and run through the party screaming ‘I have date. I have a date. I have a date.’”
The idea of her father pushing other men on her was not sitting well with Ben. Even if part of him understood why.
That should be me.
No, it shouldn’t.
He would never be able to live up to her expectations. She might be okay with giving up the rich life for a little while, but he wasn’t sure she’d turn her back on it for good.
“Ben, I need you.” And there it was—the whole reason he was here. “Please.”
“Ains, did you forget to tell me something?”
“You’re wearing your dress blues, right? You look so hot in those. I’m going to have to keep my eye on you the whole time around these women. Wait, did I type the address wrong? I’m always transposing numbers. It’s the one with the big iron gate.”
“And even bigger house. This looks more like a museum than where someone lives.”
“Whew. You’re here. Thank goodness. I was so, oh, the ‘forgot to tell you’ part. But you knew about my dad,” she said.
“Knowing and seeing are two different things.”
“I’ll meet you outside. We can chat. I really want this evening to be good—for both of us.”
And so he promised himself that no matter how he felt, he would fake it for her.
At least for tonight.
True to her word, as he pulled up to the valet, she was there on the steps. Dressed in a dark blue gown that matched his uniform, with her hair in curls on top of her head, she looked like a princess.
She was a princess.
He handed his keys and a ten-dollar bill to the valet. “No, sir, we aren’t allowed to take tips,” the valet said.
“Keep it,” he said. “It’s not a tip. It’s a ‘sorry it’s not a Mercedes or a Ferarri’ gift.”
The kid laughed. “It’s the truck I want. No gift needed. And it’s American-made. Oorah.”
“Oorah. You’re all right, kid,” Ben said.
They fist-bumped, and then he climbed the steps to Ainsley, who was twisting her hands nervously. There were others coming up behind him, but she hugged him and then tugged his hand. “Come on inside, I promise we’ll talk before I introduce you to everyone.”
He nodded.
Inside, the foyer was a rotunda with painted ceilings and a chandelier the size of a small car. She pulled him to the left and into a private room. When she flipped on a light, he saw it was a study with a large desk.
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she gave him a quick peck on the jaw, and then rubbed away her lipstick mark with her thumb.
“You’re probably mad, but to be honest I just didn’t think about how the place looks. You’d asked about my house in Corpus and I kind of skirted around the fact that I’d inherited it from one of my great aunts. But I don’t tell people who my parents are for a good reason. I don’t want them to possibly like me because of this.” She waved a hand toward the expensive-looking painting on the wall.
“I get that, but you could have given me a heads-up before I got here. I thought maybe I was in the wrong place. Yes, I figured out who your dad was, but still, I was surprised. This is— You’re so normal.”
“Yes. Exactly. To you, I’m normal. That’s what I want. I never know who likes me for who I am. My whole life has been that way. I’m not some poor little rich girl, but I’ve had situations where I was friends with people because their parents told them to make nice with me for some lucrative business reason. That’s this world...sometimes. But it isn’t who I am.”
He couldn’t even imagine what that must be like, people coming after you with agendas. Never knowing if those closest to you were really folks you could trust.
One of the things he liked best about being a Marine was even though they didn’t always agree or necessarily get along, his team had each other’s backs. No matter what, they were there for one another. Ainsley didn’t have a lot of that. At least, until she met him.
“Those guys I was telling you about? It isn’t about love or even attraction. It’s about mergers and acquisitions. That is not a life I choose for myself. If I ever decide to spend my life with someone, it will be for love. And it won’t matter what they do or how much money either of us has.”
She took his hands in hers and clasped them between their chests. “Tell me you understand.”
He nodded again. “I do. It’s just a lot to take in, Ains.”
She gave him a nervous smile. “It is. I get that. I do. But we’re good, right? What we have is real. That’s what I’m holding on to tonight. The rest of this, it doesn’t matter, okay? It’s one night in fantasyland. And then we get to go back to our regular lives. Please, don’t be mad. Please. I thought we would be driving together and I had this big plan to explain about what you were going to see. There aren’t any pics of the house in the media because dad doesn’t want to advertise for security reasons.
“That’s partly why when they moved here, I stayed in Corpus. I just didn’t want to be a part of this. I’m grateful, don’t get me wrong. I’ve had a lot of amazing opportunities, and a good life. But I told you before, this was never me. It was just the situation I was born into.”
HOW COULD HE blame her? It wasn’t her fault her father was a billionaire several times over. She was right. He didn’t exactly announce how he’d grown up when they first met. Not that it was that bad, but it was a far cry from this.
“I forgot to tell you something,” he said as he drew her hands to his lips and kissed her knuckles.
“What?” she asked hesitantly.
“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
She blessed him with one of her angelic smiles and then blinked really fast as though she was trying to keep her tears at bay.
“I’m sorry I gave you a hard time. I thought I was prepared, but it was a shock. I’m good now. We’re good.”
“You’re the most honorable, handsome man I’ve ever met.” Then she kissed him, and he pushed away all his troubles and the fact that she was so rich.
When she backed away, they were both breathing heavy.
“You ready for this?” She cocked her head toward the study door.
He chuckled. “After that kiss, I need a second.”
She laughed with him. “So I’ll give you a tour. We might as well start here. This is my dad’s study. He never uses it. He’s got his own man cave in the back of the house with his televisions, pool table and a bar. I’ll take you back there in a bit.
“It’s where he does most of his business these days. Mom likes having him around, and he’s never been one for sitting behind a desk. He’s always moving, always doing. And, uh, I just want you to know that I talk a lot about my mom and dad but they’re good people. Still, I’m not really sure what to expect. But they’ve loved me. They’ve given me an incredible life. It’s just, you know, they drive me nuts. The way parents can do sometimes.”
He’d been through several tours, and nearly died twice. He could do this.
I’m a Marine.
Funny how that statement meant so much to him. When he first started at boot camp, he’d hated it. It wasn’t until his first tour when he helped save some kids from a village that was being bombed that he realized he was making a difference. And that’s when he changed. The Marines became his life. A brotherhood.
A bunch of rich people were nothing. He’d faced much worse. And he was his own man.
As he and Ainsley left the study, a man with almost white hair was coming in through the front door. His skin was tanned leather, but it was the blue eyes just like Ainsley’s that made him recognizable. He stared directly at Ben.
“Dad, what are you doing?” Ainsley sounded upset. Ben couldn’t see her face since she was just a step in front of him.
“I was looking for you. One of the caterers said they’d seen you with someone in a uniform. I’m guessing that’s you,” her father said. His eyes never left Ben.
“Yes, sir. I just arrived.”
Her father glanced to the study door and then back to them. “Why are you hiding in my study?”
“Dad! We weren’t hiding. We were talking. I kind of forgot to tell him about...well, everything. He’d met mom, but...” She was fumbling with her words. She hardly ever did that.
“It’s nice to meet you, sir.” He stuck out his hand and the other man shook it. “I wasn’t aware that Ainsley came from such a wealthy family. She’s so accomplished and such a savvy businesswoman, I assumed what she had, she had earned.”
She turned to Ben. “I did earn it,” she said, an eyebrow going up.
Ben shook his head. Great first impression. Not. “Not what I meant. Of course you earned it. You’re one of the smartest people I’ve ever met.”
“That’s better.” Ainsley pretended to be perturbed, but clearly she’d liked his save.
Her father started laughing. “So this is the Marine you’ve been talking about?”
“No. I just invited some random Marine to our Christmas party because that’s how I roll, Dad.”
“Always with the snappy comeback,” her father said. “It’s nice to meet you, Major. Welcome to our Christmas party.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Why were you looking for me?” Ainsley asked.
Her dad frowned. “Had someone I wanted you to meet, but it can wait.”
Probably another one of the rich dudes he wanted her to marry.
“Maybe you can convince my lovely daughter to give up this fool business of hers and help me run one of my companies,” he said.
Ainsley stiffened in front of him. A direct attack probably wouldn’t be the best course of action—especially since this was her dad.
“I’m not sure what you mean, sir. I’ve found her to be incredibly talented and intuitive in her business. She comes highly recommended by her clients. I was reading some of the reviews about her company after she agreed to help me, and she never has less than five stars. I’ve always been so impressed with her. You must be really proud.”
Her father raised an eyebrow and acted like he was about to say something and then stopped himself. “Why don’t you introduce the Major around to our guests?”
“That’s where we were headed,” she said. And pulled him away quickly. “Well, that happened,” she laughed nervously. “At least he didn’t catch us kissing.”
“Kind of felt like he did,” Ben said as she guided him to a larger room on the other side of the big rotunda.
“I know, right? I felt like I’d been caught making out in the closet with Tommy Williams.”
Ben froze, and then started laughing. “Did you really?”
“Yes. He promised to teach me how to French kiss. We were thirteen. Turned out he didn’t know what he was doing and he slobbered all over my face and I threw up on him. Dad heard me, and jerked open the door and I’ll never forget the look on his face. He was so fierce and then he almost fell over laughing. I’d never been so mortified.”
Ben laughed even harder.
“You two are having way too much fun for this particular party,” her sister, Megan, said as she came up to join them.
“I was telling him about Tommy Williams.”
Megan smiled. “I swear every time I see him he turns and goes the other way. She definitely made an impression that has lasted a lifetime.”
“Did that happen here?”
“Oh, no. It was at the Corpus house on Ocean Drive. Haven’t you taken him over there?” Megan asked. “You guys have been dating a few weeks. You should have been using that hot tub. Best view of the gulf is from there.”
They had another house on Ocean Drive? Nothing there was less than a couple of million. This was nuts.
“We’ve both been really busy,” Ainsley interjected quickly. “And mom closed up the house last time she was there. Speaking of Mom, we’d better go find her. If she discovers that I didn’t bring you right over to say hello, she’ll be mad.”
They left Megan and started toward another room crowded with guests. “Thank you,” Ainsley said to him, “for earlier, with my dad. He just doesn’t get what I do.”
“Maybe you should explain it to him the way you did me the first time we met.”
He always wanted to kiss her, especially now, but he didn’t. This wasn’t the time or place for a PDA. “I’ve tried. He was upset when I got a philosophy degree and then didn’t go into law or apply to study for an MBA. It wasn’t what he wanted.”
“That’s crazy. You’re incredibly successful. It’s his problem, not yours. You have to live your own life.”
She squeezed his arm. “You truly are amazing,” she said. “I know people use that word all the time but I can’t figure out a better way to describe you. Seems like you always know the right things to say. And I don’t care about admitting that I needed you with me tonight. I need a man who stands beside me.”
That’s what he had to focus on. She cared for him, and he was good for her. Didn’t matter what her father thought. Well, it did. But she was her own person and could think for herself.
They could sort the rest of the mess out later.
“I feel the same about you, and have from the first moment I met you.”
She smiled and the stress from the encounter with her dad seemed to have dissipated.
By the time they made it to the ballroom—yes, they had a ballroom in their house—he’d met well over sixty people. The uniform was something different to the crowd. He could tell from the surprised looks as they passed through the room. They’d eye him up and down, glance at Ainsley and then smile.
They were polite and respectful. Many even thanked him for his service. A number of them couldn’t tell what branch of the military he was from, but he was used to that.
But they couldn’t hide their curiosity. Who was the guy in uniform with Ainsley, daughter of one of the richest men in the country? The question was easy to see on their faces.
He had nothing to prove to these people, but at the same time he wanted to be good enough for Ainsley.
Even though he was pretty sure he wasn’t.
“There they are,” her mother said, as they approached. He still couldn’t believe how young Ainsley’s mom looked.
“Ma’am, it’s good to see you again.”
“‘Ma’am.’ I love that. Always so polite. I was delighted when Ainsley told me she was bringing you.” Her mother crooked her arm in Ben’s. “So, are you having fun?”
He smiled at her. “I just arrived—” he glanced down at his watch “—but yes, I’m always happy when Ainsley is around.”
“Good answer. My daughter tells me that you’ve been busy with charity duties, helping children and the elderly.”
He looked over at Ainsley, but she shrugged and smiled.
“Yes, we’ve had a couple of events for Toys for Tots. My base also works with nursing homes in the area. A lot of my team members are away from home, and some of the old folks don’t get a lot of visitors. So we take them gifts and visit with them.”
They were surrounded by a group of women, who all said “Awwww” in unison.
“I told you he was a keeper,” her mother said.
“Mom. Please.”
“What?” Her mother smiled. “Strong, handsome and does good work in the community. You could do worse.”
Ainsley rolled her eyes. “Ben, please forgive my mom. I’m not sure what she’s up to, but we may need to have a talk about what’s appropriate and what isn’t.”
“There’s no reason to apologize,” he said. “She’s right. You could do worse.”
Everyone laughed around them.
Her mother patted his back. “You kids have a good time. Ainsley, you should take him on a tour of the house and find him some food. Big strapping man like him needs to be fed often.”
Once again, Ainsley pulled him in a different direction. “We could just hide in my room until it’s over,” she said.
“Now there’s an idea.”
“Trust me, if I could we’d be up there. My mom and dad tend to have extra radar at these events. If Megan and I try to sneak off they always find us. Like Dad with the study. It’s weird. Anyway. I do want to show you the house.”
He had a feeling that in a house like this, her dad probably had an app on his phone that kept in touch with everything. Oh, and he’d counted at least ten rented security types in suits with earpieces since he’d arrived.
“I’m curious about something,” he said.
“What?” They were going down what was the main staircase after seeing so many bedrooms that he’d lost count.
“Why doesn’t your dad have full-time security watching your house? It’s all sort of hitting me, but you do need to be protected at all times. Kidnappers, anyone, could use you as a pawn. He should have an entire team following you around,” Ben said seriously. The more he thought about it, the more worried he felt. She ran all over Corpus by herself. She could have been nabbed at any time.
She sighed. “My house has a security system. And when I went away to college, I don’t know. The media quit following me. I was the boring one. And then when my family moved here, I stayed in Corpus. No one really cares there. It isn’t a small town, but it kind of is. It’s the one place I don’t feel like I have to worry.”
He guessed she was right, since he’d never really heard of her until they’d met. She was good at keeping her private life private. The only time he’d seen her picture in the paper had been after the bachelor auction, and she’d been with him.
They finished the tour and he bet they’d covered about thirty thousand feet.
“I saved the best for last,” she said. “Well, the pool and kitchen outside are actually my favorite. But this room is a close second.”
They stepped into a room that had just about every arcade game from the eighties one could imagine. Centipede, Tron—they were all there. When he was a kid he’d been invited to a couple of birthday parties that weren’t much different than this. Okay, with the exception of the marble floors, massive bar with every kind of liquor and pristine machines.
“It’s too much, right?” She grinned. “I love Centipede. Dad had to unplug it for a while when I was in the eighth grade so I’d get all my homework done. He told me it was broken. I was so gullible back then. I came in and saw him playing it one day, and I was so mad.”
“Your dad plays these games?”
She nodded. “He started installing the machines in convenience stores when he was still in high school. Then he bought his own machines to go into bigger retail places like arcades and movie theaters. Then he invested that money, and well, if you looked on Google you know the rest.”
“He really is a self-made man.”
“Yes, which is why I don’t understand why he keeps pushing these shallow, good-for-nothing twits—that’s what Bebe calls them—on me.”
“I’m pretty sure it’s a dad thing,” he said, honestly. “I haven’t known you that long and I feel pretty protective of you, even though I don’t have any right to. And he is your father. He thinks he knows what’s best for you.”
She paused with a hand on her hip. “You feel protective of me? That’s really sweet.”
He put an arm around her shoulder and pulled her into him. He never tired of her scent. For of the rest of his life when he smelled vanilla, he’d think of her. “I want what’s best for you, too, and I’m pretty sure that’s where your dad’s head is at.”
“Maybe. But it’s annoying the way he does it. Your way, however, is superhot.” She kissed him, and he couldn’t stop himself. He only stepped back when he heard voices coming down the hall. She once again wiped the lipstick from his face.
“I’m going to the ladies’ room. I’ll be back in a sec,” she said. “Or maybe meet me in the kitchen? I could also use a snack, and I don’t want to try to maneuver through the crowds at the buffet tables. And while I’m a horrible cook, my mom knows how to hire some great caterers. We always have excellent food.”
“Sure. I’ll meet you in the kitchen, if I can remember how to get there.”
They shared a laugh. She turned to walk away, but then glanced back. “It’s the second hallway on the left, go all the way to the end.”
He was glad she clarified because even though he had a head for maps and directions, the house was massive.
Before he could get very far, her father rounded the corner. This time he wasn’t smiling. “Is Ainsley with you?”
“No,” he said. “She’s—”
“Good,” her father said. “Look, son. I’m sure you’re a nice guy and a brave soul. What you young people do, it’s admirable. But I think you know it’s not going to work between the two of you.”
The man was direct, he’d give him that. “Ainsley and I are friends,” he said. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“I think you do,” her father repeated. “You have a solid record. I had one of my staff check you out. And you do seem like a good man. But you aren’t the right one for my daughter.”
Hitting him is not an option.
Ben had never considered himself a violent man, not without provocation. But he was tempted.
High road. He had to take it. “The great thing about Ainsley is she has her feet on the ground and makes smart choices. I believe she’s able to decide who she wants to be friends with, and perhaps is a better judge of character than most. You could perhaps learn a lesson or two from her, instead of trying to push her to accept any Fortune 500 CEO that crosses your path. You could perhaps listen to what it is she wants. You raised her to be an incredibly thoughtful and brilliant human being. You should be proud.
“To your point, if I’m good enough for your daughter, I never said I was. But she’s absolutely the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Now if you’ll excuse me.”
He had to leave before her father had a chance to say something else, because Ben wasn’t sure how much longer he could hold on to his temper.
He didn’t run, but it was definitely a fast walk down the hall. Head spinning, he stopped at the entry to the busy kitchen. Caterers were going at warp speed. He didn’t see Ainsley.
About to go in search of her, he heard her voice. “I told you no.” She was annoyed.
“Why are you so prickly? You know your dad wants us together,” some guy said.
Seriously, did the universe want him to get arrested at this party? He forced himself to stay where he was. Ainsley could handle herself.
“What my dad wants and what I do are two very different things,” she said. “And I told you on the plane last night, I’m dating someone.”
“Yeah, your dad said he wouldn’t be around long. Come on. No way that guy is going to give you what you really need.”
That was it. He couldn’t take anymore.
Ainsley was shaking her head as he walked up behind the guy.
But the man shook his head right back. This guy was disrespecting her wishes.
“I don’t know who you are but I promise you I’ve got her needs covered,” Ben said. Okay, that came out wrong.
Ainsley rolled her eyes.
The guy turned around and glanced up at Ben.
“Go ahead,” Ben said. “Say something.”
The guy just stared at him. “It’s going to take more than some tough guy to take care of Ainsley the way she expects.”
“Oh, hey, I’m standing right here. And for the record, I don’t need any man. I don’t need anyone to take care of me. Todd, you have to give it up because you and me are never going to happen.”
“You heard her, Todd. Trust that you’re not the kind of man she needs.”
“And you are? She’s just getting her hands dirty with you. I know what’s best for her.”
Ben might have growled at that point. “I’m going to suggest you leave now, Todd. And never say she doesn’t know what’s best. That woman is smarter, funnier, more thoughtful than most people, and she doesn’t need some two-timer like you trying to make her think otherwise. That’s right, I saw you twenty minutes ago with your hand up some brunette’s dress. So get lost before I rearrange your face. That’s what we tough guys do, ya know.”
“He’s serious,” she said to Todd, shoving him quickly into the next room. “I suggest you leave before the tough guy throws you off the property. You and I need to talk,” she said to Ben.
Fine, he had it coming. But he’d had to set the jerk straight.
Ben shook his head. Stupid. That was really stupid what he’d done. But he was frustrated, feeling so out of place. And her dad was right, he’d never fit in. He couldn’t kiss up like these people. It just wasn’t in his nature.
“Ainsley, I...”
She held up a hand to cut him off. “Wait until we are at the beach.” Crap. She was really mad. He’d never before heard that edge in her voice.
He shouldn’t have engaged. But he was tired of her father and Todd treating him like less than he was. He’d gotten rid of the chip on his shoulder the second day of boot camp. Yep, he came from poor, but he’d made something of himself. And he was proud.
But her father’s words tore at him. Was he really not the right guy for her? And it wasn’t about taking care of her. She could do that herself. True, he couldn’t always be there for her. He was a career Marine. If she wanted something more permanent, and she’d hinted she did, this was never going to work.
How would she deal with him possibly being on the other side of the world? And it could happen. Maybe her dad was right, but not about the money. Everything was good for them, but they’d spent nearly every day together since they’d met. That wasn’t how it would be when he was on tour. And he could be deployed at any time.
He followed her out to the pool area. There were a few people, and she pulled him off down a path that eventually led to the beach.
“I’m sorry,” he said, knowing he had to apologize. “It’s no excuse, but your dad said a few things to me, and then I walked up on you talking to that guy. And you’d said it was only family last night. But that guy was on the plane with you.”
Dang. He hadn’t meant to say that. What was wrong with him?
She blew out a breath and then took off her heels. “I can just imagine what my dad said. I should apologize for him. I like to think he has my best interests at heart, as you said, but I’m tired of this. All the fighting.”
That was a knock.
“What do you mean?” he asked, carefully.
She tossed the shoes to the ground. “I don’t need a man to protect me or take care of me. I thought we’d covered this. I can handle it, remember? If you see me as some damsel in distress, then move along. Please. I’m beginning to think you are all the same.”
“You’re lumping me in with those creeps you’ve dated?”
“No,” she said. “Not really. But I’m mad. I don’t need you to fight my battles. I was doing just fine with Todd.”
“Right, that’s why even though you told him no last night, he was in front of your face again today. You know, on the plane you said was just for family, and now he was back for more.”
“Ben! I don’t know why Todd of all people was a part of my dad’s special night. He invited him, not me. And they’re both acting like fools. My dad can push all he wants, I’m not going to change my mind because I don’t care about his money. Or his protection. I’m good. Really good. All. By. Myself.”
“Got it.” Ben figured this was as good a time as any, even though what he was about to say tore at his gut. “You’re an amazing woman, Ainsley. Beautiful and talented. You don’t need anyone, especially a grunt like me.”
“Wait. What?”
“It’s probably best if we say our goodbyes before this goes any further.” As he said the words, he wanted to call himself a liar. If they went on, it would only be tougher on the both of them. And he wasn’t at all sure he could live in her world. He’d have a hard time standing by watching jerks like what’s-his-face trying to make a move on her. And he’d always be wondering who her father was trying to set her up with next.
She’d been facing the water, but now she turned to him. “So, what? You’re breaking up with me? The first time we actually disagree?”
Stay strong. This was for her. “It’s not that. Just tonight showed me how different we are. I’m not the proper guy for you. What’s going to happen when I’m deployed for six months or even a year? Your dad is going to keep throwing men at you. And I’m always going to wonder. Always. ‘Is she being faithful?’ Do you have any idea how many military come home to find their spouses, significant others with other people? We’re just a mistake waiting to happen.”
“No. You’re serious right now?” A tear slid down her cheek.
He pretended he didn’t care.
“Well, yep. It’d be best for us to cut our losses before this gets much more serious.” He shrugged. “I care about you, Ainsley. I want you to be happy.”
She picked up a shoe and threw it at him, but he ducked before it hit him.
“You have a dumb way of showing it, you know? A really dumb way. Don’t you think I’ve thought about what it might be like when you go on a mission?
“I’m not an idiot. It’s scary to consider what could happen to you. Frightens me half to death. But if you’re brave enough to go, then I would have to be brave enough to stay here and wait for you. I would have been.
“But you’re right, Ben. You don’t deserve me. That you think I would cheat on you because you were away—what kind of person does that make me? Have you met me? I should be with someone way better than a jerk who believes I’d be one of those ‘out of sight, out of mind’ types. I thought... Doesn’t matter.” There were more tears running down her face, and he felt ashamed.
He reached out for her, but she shook her head.
“Bye, Ben. You can go now. I thought I needed you. I was wrong.”
Then she ran to the house and left him on the beach with a broken heart.
But it was for the best. For the both of them.
Yeah, you keep telling yourself that.