She drove the point home. “We all know I’m not going to end up being a real SEAL anyway. So what does it matter if I cheat? Besides, you said all SEALs cheat. They just don’t get caught.”

“Are you so eager to get rid of me?” he asked lightly.

“Don’t try to change the subject.”

“Can’t blame a guy for trying.”

“I’ve given a lot of thought to this. It’s not a spur-of-the-moment decision. I’m the right woman to do BUD/S. I have the publicity experience, and I can handle the spotlight better than Anna or Lily could.”

Griffin sighed heavily, as if he saw the logic of her argument but didn’t like it.

She continued. “It’s not as if the Navy is going to let me have a fair shot at the course, anyway. The fix is on, and everyone knows it. So let’s get this thing done as quickly and easily for all of us as we possibly can.”

“You do have a point,” he said slowly.

“Perfect!” she said brightly. “Let’s get back to camp and let Kettering know what I’ve decided. Then you and I can sit down and get to work. The sooner the better.”

“Don’t try to bulldoze me,” he warned. “I want to talk with Cal about this before I agree to your plan.”

“Fair enough.” It wasn’t a win, but it wasn’t a defeat for her, either.

At least he was willing to consider her proposal. That was miles beyond where he’d started this whole process of training women SEALs a few months ago.

Now to convince Cal Kettering.

Chapter 13

Cal turned out to be an easier sell on the idea than Griffin had expected he would be. The guy seemed relieved not to have to choose between the women candidates, and he agreed with Sherri that she was the best choice to handle the media coverage and fame that would come with being the first woman SEAL.

Griffin couldn’t believe he was doing it, but he found himself arguing against the whole idea to the two of them. “I never thought I’d hear myself say this, but Sherri would make a decent SEAL. Are we throwing away a potentially useful asset in order to hurry her through the program?”

Cal leaned back in his desk chair, his eyes bloodshot. The guy obviously was sporting one hell of a hangover today. Thanks to Sherri’s water and french fries last night, Griffin had avoided the same fate.

“Are you sure about this, Sherri?” Cal asked. “Once I pull the trigger, there will be no turning back.”

“I’m sure.”

“Why?”