After giving me back my plate, he takes care of his own. I dig in and smile. It tastes even better than it looks.

“So, how was work today?” he asks, all domestic-like.

“I actually loved it,” I exclaim, unable to stop the smile from filling my face. I tell Slade about all the work I accomplished for Eve and how I met with one of the abused women. “She wants a job at the Mile. I’ve got to talk to Vincent about that.”

“Sounds good. Nevada suits you.”

“Does it?”

He nods, seemingly pleased.

The rest of our dinner is full of laughter and jokes. He tells me a bit about his years overseas and the different trainings he’s done. I sit in utter awe of this amazing man in front of me.

“Lauren, I know we don’t have much time left together. But, while you’re here, I want to be with you. And, when you leave, I want you to know you can always call me.”

“Is that what you are? Mr. Dependable Friend?” I sit up and lean forward to get closer. I’m not expecting him to say we’re more, but right now, it feels like it.

“Yes. Everything good starts like this.” He puts his hands on the small wooden table as though getting ready to stand. “I’ve got some fruit for dessert. Interested?”

“Let me get it.” I rise.

“Grab me another beer, too, will you?”

With a polite nod, I head back inside.

16

Slade

She comes back to the patio and hands me my drink, already opened.

I look down at the beer before staring back at her, my chest expanding when I say, “Thank you.” It feels good to have her with me.

“So, when did you have your last relationship?” she asks quickly, words laced with curiosity.

I take a long pull, the need to be truthful rising above all else. “Not since high school. When I joined up with the Navy, I had someone. It felt good to think she was at NYU, studying and waiting for me, but it turned out, she wasn’t actually waiting. I learned from another friend that she was cheating on me with some New York City stockbroker. After we broke up, there were women who came and went during my time off. But nothing steady.”

“Was it lonely?” Her brows lower with worry for me.

“Sure.” I shrug, taking another pull from the bottle. “But, for my friends who had wives at home, it wasn’t too easy for them either. They were always worrying. Waiting by the phones. E-mailing. I was more comfortable being on my own. Helped me to focus. I think, if I had a family to worry about, it would have clouded my judgment.”

She takes a sip of her wine before I ask, “And what about you? What’s the trail you’ve left behind?”

“There have been men in my past. But no one too serious. I think I always picked the wrong guys. They looked like the right ones, but then, somehow, they weren’t. The truth is …” Her voice trails off.