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Even when he did know them, it was more for the sake of communication.

His team had been the exception that proved the rule, but the men that he’d talked to more than others… they were gone.

So these moments of reaching out told him that he was just as unbalanced as he ever was.

Floundering when it came to social situations, especially with a woman.

“It’s okay,” he offered. “I guess you’re on your way out.”

“Hmm… I was headed home.”

Why did he feel like something else was slipping through his fingers?

“Where is home,” he asked before he could think better of it, “I mean where are you headed?”

“Ka’a’awa.”

He smiled unexpectedly. “That’s a mouthful.”

Hearing her laugh made him feel better.

“It is.” She sighed softly. “But when you’ve lived there most of your life like I have, it’s pretty easy. It almost rolls off of my tongue.”

“Okay, if you say so.”

“You’re still at KBay?”

Her question sounded rushed and matched the sudden uptick in his pulse.

“Yeah. Pallas just walked in so I can leave as soon as I get a ride.”

“Do you need one?” She cleared her throat. “A ride, I mean. I can come by the base if you need a ride.”

He wanted to kick himself. He felt like a fucking teenager without a driver’s license. “I... I haven’t been medically cleared to drive yet.”

“So, I can come by and get you as long as you don’t mind having the cat in the car.”

“Yeah.” He shook his head. He’d almost stepped on the end of her words. Talk about teenage boy. “That would be good. I live in Kailua.”

“Huh… that’s not bad. I can be there in… Uh. I don’t know how long it will take to get there.”

Pallas leaned in and showed him a piece of paper. Written on it were the words. I CAN DROP YOU AT THE GUARD SHACK

Buck nodded and mouthed ‘THANKS.’

“If you can come to the guard shack at KBay, Pallas will drop me off. I’ll treat you to dinner.”

“Dinner?” He heard her smile. “Well, then I’ll definitely come and get you.”

“Good.” He sat back down on the edge of the table, smiling and more than a little relieved that he hadn’t scared her away. “I’ll see you at the guard shack.”

“Okay. Bye.”

The call ended and Buck put his phone down on the table at his side.

“So, who’s that?”

He didn’t even turn to look at Pallas. He just answered the question.