“I don’t know. You tell me. What do you need?”

He stared out at the black sheet of the ocean as it whispered to the stars. Eventually, he turned his gaze on Sherri. “I need you not to go to war and die like Sam.”

Sherri poured them each a glass of water and slugged hers. Then she lifted the scotch bottle and waited expectantly for him to throw back his water. Ahh. Hangover prevention protocol—carbs and hydration.

He downed the water and watched her refill their glasses with amber liquid in silence. She picked up hers and sipped it this time, while he threw his back and then commenced snacking on the fries.

Only then did she respond to his earlier comment. “I need you not to go to war and die like Sam, either.”

“I’m serious, Sherri. I don’t want you in harm’s way. It scares the hell out of me to think about you out there in a mess like we witnessed tonight.”

“It scares the hell out of me, too. But it should scare you to think of yourself getting caught in a mess like that.”

He shrugged. “Shit happens.”

“Why are you allowed to take that attitude about life and death, but I’m not allowed to feel the same way?”

“You’re beautiful. Smart. Talented. You can do anything you want. The world is at your feet. Go do something awesome with your life. But don’t come crawling into the mud and filth that I live in. Being a SEAL is dirty, hard work. You should do something glamorous with your life.”

“I think being a female SEAL is plenty glamorous. And besides, I’ve had all the glamour I can stand for one lifetime. I want something of substance to hang onto in my life. Someone—” She broke off.

So. She wanted someone to come home to someday, too, did she? Good to know.

She continued, “When I’m old and worn out, looking back on my life, I want to know I’ve done something important.”

“Then raise money for starving kids in Africa. Save the whales, for crying out loud.”

Sherri put down her glass and leaned forward, staring hard at him. “Why are you so dead set on me not being a SEAL? You’ve seen enough of me in training to know that I can hack it. I meet all the physical standards. I’m good at shooting and stealth. I have nerves of steel. What else do you want from me?”

He ground out, “I want you to live.”

She ground back, “Then train me to be the very best SEAL you can. Teach me the skills I’ll need to stay alive.” She calmly filled their glasses with scotch.

They both grabbed their glasses and tossed back the contents. Without comment, she refilled them again. Not with water.