AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Um, not beyond that. The books are for injured soldiers. I assumed you fit in that group. Why?”
“I did. I was injured and in the hospital, but all that change and what the injuries meant for my life plans meant I fell into depression.”
I wait for him to continue because I’m not sure what to say here. I’ve never thought of him as depressed, but then sometimes the people with the happiest surfaces are using it to hide the dark stuff underneath.
“The book was meant to give me something to look forward to, a reason to get out of bed. And I guess it did that, but mostly it was seeing how everyone around me wanted that for me. What I’m trying to say here, Isla, is that I’m a work in progress. My ambitions these days have more to do with staying out of that hole and less with climbing the corporate ladder. I’m not particularly attached to my current job, but paying the mortgage helps keep me focused. So fixing all this crap with jobs and companies, what do you really want to be doing?”
Damn it, why does he have to be so sweet? Combined with the bossiness in bed and he’s close to irresistible. Here I thought I’d already given in.
“I don’t know,” I say plaintively. “I know I want more than I was doing, and I’d like to enjoy going to work in the morning, but I’m damn sure I don’t want to be caught in the web of management politics.”
I set Toby down on the sand and watch him go running at the waves, yipping with all his might. Lance laces his fingers through mine. “Well, let’s look at it from another direction. Where would you most like to live?”
I think about that. I don’t have any close family to be near. The friends I’ve made over the last few years are obviously all in Destiny Bay. I know Lance is the same and his sister is there too. “Probably a more rural neighborhood near Destiny Bay — back in the mountains a bit, probably. The only reason for leaving was job opportunities.”
“Okay. So you’re living in a renovated farmhouse on five or ten acres with your handsome husband,” he pauses when I snort with laughter. “Extremelyhandsome husband,” Lance continues, “and commuting into Destiny Bay for a job that brings you satisfaction and makes good use of your superb organizational skills.”
I like the way he puts that, so I give him a happy nod.
“Practically speaking, Isla, that gives you four options I can think of. Alpha Corps, but I’m not sure what job if you don’t want your old one back, the district hospital, run for elected office, or start your own event company.”
“No on politics. I simply don’t have the patience for that. Or the hospital, which is also all politics from what I hear unless you’re a medical professional and even then. Do you really think there’s a market for events?”
Lance gives me a considered nod. “If you seek it out, yes. You’d have a built in client in Tamsin Leigh and the book launches. There are all the weddings that ACI employees keep needing at the drop of a hat…” He sends me a suggestive look and I giggle.
“You mean something like, 30-Day Weddings R Us?”
Lance’s lips twitch, but he nods. “Yeah, maybe more poetic for the poor brides, but basically, yes. You already know the clientele, so I think if you approached it from the needs of the community, you’d have a thriving business. If that’s what you want, sweetness.”
I chew on my lip thoughtfully. Lance tugs me over to a fallen log. I check for Toby and he’s busy digging under another one nearby, so I take a seat. That’s when I discover what Lance needed from his room. I’m staring down at the most gorgeous diamond ring. “No matter what you decide, Isla, I’ve been an idiot for long enough. I’m not asking because there’s only one answer, which means there’s really no question. I love you and if it’s any consolation, I’ve had to remind myself multiple times a day for the last few years not to touch you.”
I smirk at the chagrin in his voice. “What exactly did you want to touch so badly?”
“The nape of your neck when you wear your hair up, the curve of your perfect ass. Your hand just to be in contact with you.”
Leaning into his shoulder, I can’t help but get a little choked up. He’s not putting this on for effect. He really doesn’t think he’s good enough for me. “So now what?”
10
Lance
Of course, nothing is that easy. A ruckus broke out amongst management at Alpha Corps while we were gone. Isla’s phone started lighting up as we strolled back to the office and the hotel. General Vipont wants to see her in his office. Isla frowns and looks at me.
As much as my impulse is to swoop in and save her, this has to be her decision. I already told her I was along for the ride, no matter what direction she wants to head. After we drop Toby back in her room, I drop a swift kiss on her forehead before we go in the main office building. “You’re my warrior princess, Isla. You don’t need my input and you’ve got my full support to go with your gut.”
She blinks at me. “Warrior princess? Really?”
I nod, brushing a knuckle over her cheek. “You are glorious, sweetness.”
Her small smile appears almost shy as she ducks her head and scurries through the front door.
Stuffing my hands in my pockets, I turn to survey the parking lot. I have no doubt that the powers that be are going to attempt to convince her to stay. I’m good with that, but I’ll have to find a different job. The one at Alpha Corps was basicallyhanded to me because of my connections. Those were people who knew my qualifications, so I’m not selling myself short here. It’s just that outside of the military-adjacent sector, I’m clueless.
I sigh and sit my ass down on a nearby park bench. The least I can do is take Isla out for a nice dinner and then fuck her until she knows in her bones how special she is. If I need to head back north on my own on Sunday, I’ll use my free time next week to ask around about how the hell to get a job in the private sector. See if anyone else is more connected and willing to give me a hand.
I find a little Italian joint nearby and save the directions to my phone. That gets me thinking about food and Isla’s remark that she can’t cook. Which is fine, but I can’t either. For me, that’s more of a lack of interest or opportunity, but I got the impression Isla has tried and is a tad sensitive on the topic. No thanks to me. Which gives me an idea to put a smile on her face.
Instinctively, I call up my little sister. She answers breathlessly, “Lance, is everything okay?”
