Page 45 of Sit, Stay

"Not even close." Javi grabs another tool, still grinning. "So what's the plan? You gonna wife her up? Move to Pine Valley permanently? Adopt three dogs and a cat?"

"It's been one night."

"And you're already planning the rest of your life."

He's not wrong. I've been mentally arranging furniture since I woke up in her bed.

"She's different," I say, because it's true and because Javi already knows.

"Different how?"

"She doesn't need me to be anything except what I am. She's not impressed by the uniform or the charm or any of the usual bullshit." I straighten up from the Humvee. "She sees me, you know? The actual me."

Javi's quiet for a moment. When he speaks again, the teasing edge is gone. "That's good, man. That's really good."

"Yeah."

"You gonna tell her about the re-enlistment thing?"

"Eventually."

"Eventually like when?"

"When I figure out what I'm doing."

"You mean when you figure out how to convince her to follow you wherever you go next."

"I'm not—" I stop, because that's exactly what I'm doing. "Maybe."

"Just don't fuck this up."

"Helpful advice, thanks."

"I'm serious. That woman's too good for you, but somehow she seems to like your dumb face anyway." He points the wrench at me. "Don't overthink it. Don't overplan it. Just talk to her."

"Since when are you the relationship expert?"

"Since I've been watching you crash and burn for three years and finally found someone who might actually tolerate you long-term."

The rest of the morning goes smoothly. I help Javi finish up a few maintenance checks, run Ranger through some drills at the K9 facility—he's still showing off for the memory of Callie—and generally feel more focused than I have in weeks.

Huh. Maybe I should have been getting laid regularly all along.

I'm walking back to the barracks when my phone rings. Jake's name flashes on the screen.

Jake. My younger brother by two years and three inches taller, though he'll never let me forget the height thing. He works with Wade at Iron Creek, handling the operations side while Wade runs the business. Our youngest brother, Cole, handles client relations, which basically means he schmoozes potential contracts while Wade and Jake do the actual work.

"What's up, little brother?" I answer.

"Don't call me that. I may be two years younger, but I'm three inches taller than you."

"Height doesn't count when I can still put you in a headlock."

"You're in Colorado. Can't reach me from there." I hear rustling, like he's shifting papers. "Got a minute? Wade wants an update on whether you're coming home or re-upping."

The question lands heavier than it should. "Still deciding."

"It's been three weeks."