Free The SEAL's Best Man (Special Ops: Homefront Book 2) by Kate Aster

sugar. “But for the record, my pulse was
up because of the coffee I drank in the car.”
    “Of course. I should have known that.” He
nodded sagely, clearly suppressing the grin that was peeking out from the
corner of his mouth.
    The diner overlooked the east side of
Prospect Bay and even through the glass of the window, she could hear a
cacophony of morning birdsong outside. Hell of a view for a place that served a
$4 omelet. You can’t get this on the other side of the Bay Bridge, she thought,
trying to focus on the menu. “How did you know about this place? Have you been
here before?”
    “Back in my senior year at the Academy, a
lot of us used to stop here for breakfast on our way to Ocean City. The place
has been open forever. My dad used to take us here when he was stationed here,
too.”
    “Your dad? He’s in the military?”
    “Was, yep. A Marine.”
    “I didn’t know that.”
    “I’m full of surprises.”
    Yeah, no kidding. Maeve’s mind drifted momentarily to the
feel of his breath on her lips, held so close to him. She glanced back down to
the menu, unable to meet his eyes. Focus. Focus. “Is that why you
joined?”
    “Maybe a little. My dad never pushed me,
but you know, the culture just becomes a part of you growing up. With my grades
and SAT scores, I could have gotten in just about anywhere. But the Academy
felt like home.” Jack pointed to a photo on her menu. “Try the crab stuffed
omelet. It’s the best.”
    Maeve’s mouth watered at the suggestion.
    As Jack ordered for both of them,
movement outside the window again drew her eye. Two herons soared past, slicing
through the rosy mist that hung over the bay. A group of fishermen walked along
the docks together, and a smattering of crabbers bobbed in the water checking
on their traps.
    Maeve glanced around at the people
surrounding her. Not a hint of make-up, not a single stiletto, and no sight of
designer handbags. And each person looked perfectly content, satisfied to
simply be enjoying a good cup of coffee with their neighbors. While Annapolis
was a quaint and laid-back city, it seemed uptight by the Eastern Shore’s
standards.
    She could get used to it here.
    “Did you tell your parents you’re leaving
yet?” Her throat pinched at the thought, and she poured more creamer into her
coffee to distract herself.
    Jack nodded. “It’ll be harder to say
good-bye than usual. I’ve been able to spend so many weekends and holidays
visiting them and my sisters. I’ve gotten kind of used to it. One’s got a baby
due in July. Did I tell you that already?”
    Smiling, Maeve nodded. Several times,
actually, she thought. But she didn’t tell him that. It was cute to see him so
excited about having another nephew coming his way.
    “I really hoped I’d be around for the
birth this time.” His eyes were distant, as though he was counting how many
significant moments of his family’s lives he had missed while away.
    She reached for his hand, and again was
struck by how complete she felt when her clasp had joined with his. “I’m
sorry.”
    Frowning, Jack withdrew his hand. “No big
deal. You get used to it.”
    Liar.
    “At least I’ll be around for Mick’s
wedding. I haven’t been best man for years. Am I still supposed to drag him out
to a strip bar and get him drunk the night before?”
    “I think that’s optional. But Lacey would
prefer you didn’t.”
    “So would Mick. He’s all control. It’s
hard enough getting him to have two beers.”
    “You’re pretty controlled yourself.”
    He eyed her a moment and then gently
touched his finger to her chin. “With you, I have to be, don’t I? How’s the job
search going?” He changed the subject without missing a beat.
    Maeve traced her thumb along the rim of
her mug. “Pretty scary, actually. I called just about everyone I know in the
business and no one is hiring. They’re all just struggling to find clients
right now. But at least I put the word out.”
    “Well, I had an