Free A Marine’s Proposal by Lisa Carlisle

class.”
    “Grrr. That’s why I’m not going yet.”
    “You should. You could knock off some classes while you’re here. Get you closer to your degree.”
    “No, thank you. Right now, I’m doing the Marine thing. After my four years, then I’ll worry about college. I’m in my early twenties, how do I even know I want to stick with law after working in it for four years?”
    “And military law is so different from civilian. But you could at least knock off some of the electives they always have you do, no matter what degree you end up going for.”
    She nodded as if she’d consider it. “What about you? Are you sure what you want to be when you grow up?”
    “We’re not grown up yet?” he teased.
    “Well, maybe you are, old man. You’ve got a couple of years on me.”
    “You know I’m not going to be a lifer. Maybe I’ll go to law school in your neck of the woods. Boston has some good law schools.”
    “Boston has some good schools period. They seem to be on every corner. But I’m from Maine, and Boston is in Massachusetts, my friend.”
    “They’re this far apart,” he said as he spread his thumb and forefinger an inch. “Anyway, I’m looking at an environmental law class.”
    Caitlyn squirmed in her seat with excitement. “That’s the perfect field for you! With your outdoor adventure streak. How you lecture me whenever I drink from bottled water or use a plastic bag.” She waved an arm as if giving him the go ahead. “By all means, go for it!”
    Slade laughed. “I’m glad I have your approval, Mrs. Masters.”
    ****
    Over dinner, they speared a variety of chicken, pork, seafood, and vegetables on skewers and cooked them over the low flame.
    “I love Okinawa,” Caitlyn oohed. “This is so much fun.”
    “I know. I've never eaten at a place like this in the States.”
    “It’s a good thing we’ll be living here for a few more years. So much more to explore.”
    “All the more reason to be settled into an apartment, don’t you think?”
    If all went as planned, Caitlyn thought darkly.
    “What’s wrong? Your face dropped.”
    “Nothing.” She brushed her anxious thoughts aside.
    “No, tell me.”
    She hesitated. “What if one of us is called away? Sent on another deployment? Maybe somewhere dangerous? You’re the closest friend I’ve had since I enlisted. I know Marines come and go and I’ve seen my share of faces in and out my life, but I can’t imagine you not being part of it. I’ve seen you every day for months.”
    “That’s why this marriage is a good idea, Caitlin,” he said in a soothing tone. “The Marines are much more likely to keep a husband and wife together than two friends, who have no legal binding.”
    She sipped her wine while she contemplated whether that was true
    He took her hand. “I don’t want to lose you either. You’re my closest friend here as well.” His blue-gray eyes were full of warmth. “Not only here. Anywhere.”

    They stayed late in the evening, sampling various wines and teas, turning Caitlyn’s worried mood into a more celebratory one until Slade rose to his feet and said, “I better get you back to the hotel before you start stumbling.”
    “I do NOT stumble,” Caitlyn said indignantly. As she rose to her feet, her sandal got caught among the pillows and she fell back on top of them.
    Slade chortled heartily before he answered. “Wow, you really nailed your point.” Then he lay back on the pillows next to her and they tried to stifle their laughter so they wouldn’t bother the other diners.
    Before a violent fit of laughter welled up again, Slade said, “No, really, I have to get you back. Do you think you can walk or do you want me to call a taxi?”
    “Walk,” Caitlyn mumbled. “It may be a challenge, but the fresh air will do me good.”
    Slade took her hand before leading them back into the tightly packed streets of Naha. They left the neon lights and vibrant crowd on Kokusai-dori to move onto a relatively quiet