Chapter 6

Emersyn dropped the heavy box of books onto the floor late that night, dusting her hands off as it landed with a loud thud. It felt like she'd spent the entire day unpacking, but she'd barely made a dent in her belongings.

Layton crossed the room and sank down onto the sofa, eyeing the remaining boxes curiously. "You know, you didn't have to bring this much stuff for a six-month TDY."

"I know," Emersyn said with a sigh. "I keep telling everyone I'm in Honolulu for six months, but honestly? I'm hoping DEA will let me transfer out here. If not, I might just apply for a new position. Northern Virginia is nice, but I've lived there forever. I'm ready for a real change. Adventure."

"So, you figured you'd move to the middle of the Pacific Ocean?" Layton asked with a laugh.

"It's not Antarctica," Emersyn countered.

"Girl, I hear you. Hawaii is incredible. I'd move here in an instant if I could. I was young and free once, too. Not that I'd change a thing."

The sisters exchanged a look. While Emersyn had the freedom to do what she wanted, Layton didn't have that option. Not without a legal battle and new custody agreement. "Nope. Don't even say it," Layton continued. "And remember—I'm on vacation this week."

"I know, I know. No talk of real life during your well-deserved vacay."

"I miss my baby girl so much, but it's her dad's week to have her. And she does better without me hovering around and checking in each second. I do, too," Layton admitted. "It's so hard to be away from her, but Hawaii has kept my mind off things. I kind of feel like I'm going crazy at home alone the weeks that she's gone."

Emersyn grabbed a bottle of water and sank down onto the sofa beside Layton. "You don't have to justify anything to me. Who knew your ex-husband would turn out to be such a colossal dick?"

"Let's pretend he had a tiny dick," Layton countered, and Emersyn nearly choked on her sip of water. "Did I tell you he already left the secretary he was cheating on me with? He's got a new girlfriend now. Bimbo number two. I give it a month, tops, then it's on to bigger boobs and a better body."

Emersyn rolled her eyes. "Good Lord. He's the type of guy who will never ever be happy. Be thankful he did you a solid and showed you his true colors now. Why waste another second on his cheating ass? You could've ended up married to him for twenty years and never known about his affairs."

"God, you're right. That would've been mortifying."

"We should go out tomorrow night!" Emersyn exclaimed. "I'm feeling so much better, and you're here on vacation. So far, we've hung out at the hospital and you've help me move."

"Don't forget the ambulance ride," Layton quipped.

"I'd rather we did forget it, actually. Not everyone arrives in Hawaii and then nearly drowns in front of a Navy SEAL team in the Pacific Ocean."

"Ten out of ten as far as dramatic rescues go," Layton joked. "Nope. Still too soon," she quickly amended, pressing her fingers against her temples. "I'm going to have nightmares about not getting to you. I was paddling my kayak like crazy and barely moving."

"Sorry," Emersyn said, her smile fading.

Layton flashed her a look. "But speaking of the hunky guys on the SEAL team, Hudson and I have a date Saturday."

"Oh yeah?" Emersyn asked, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Good for you!"

"Well, I'll be flying out Sunday afternoon, so it's not like I'm going to start a relationship with the guy. Hudson's funny and crazy good-looking, so why not? I deserve to have a little fun, too."

"He certainly enjoyed looking at you," Emersyn teased. "I felt a little guilty making plans with Aaron while you're in town."

"Oh please. Don't feel guilty. I'm flying back to the East Coast the next day, and you'll be living here in paradise. I am one-hundred percent on board with you jumping in bed with Aaron. Might as well start living your new life as soon as possible," Layton said.

"We're not jumping in bed together!" Emersyn shrieked. "It's called dinner. Drinks."

"Uh-huh," Layton teased. "The man is gorgeous."

Emersyn's phone buzzed on the table, and she grabbed it, frowning as she read the text.

Aaron: Hey there. I know it's late, but mind if I come by really quick? Something came up.

Emersyn: Sure. Is everything okay?

Aaron: Yes and no. I'll explain in person. See you soon.

"That's weird," she said as she set her phone down. "Aaron just texted and wants to stop by."

"Booty call?" Layton joked, waggling her eyebrows.

Emersyn huffed out a laugh. "Not a booty call. He's excited about taking me out this weekend. Aaron said it's a quiet and romantic place. I think he's a little old-fashioned in that sense. Chivalrous."

"So first he buys you dinner, then he bangs you?"

"Layton!" Emersyn groaned.

"Sorry. I'm just excited for you. I married my prince charming, and he turned out to be a total dick. I know we just met Aaron last weekend, but girl, he helped you move into your new place, no questions asked. What kind of guy does that? A keeper," she continued.

"We'll see," Emersyn said as she stood, crossing the room. Her bare legs reflected in the mirror propped against the wall in her foyer. That was yet another thing on her lengthy to-do list. She glanced down at her denim shorts, brushing them off. She felt dusty and dirty after unpacking all day, so naturally, Aaron wanted to come by now. He'd already seen her unconscious in the ocean, however, so this look was actually a vast improvement from their first meeting

"I'll make myself scarce!" Layton called out, disappearing down the hall.

"I don't even know how soon he's coming!"

The guestroom door closed, and she mumbled under her breath. In the back of her mind, she wondered if Aaron was getting sent out. She wasn't sure what else would be both okay and not okay. Biting her lip, she moved into the kitchen. The evening sunlight came in through her blinds, lighting up the place, and she smiled despite herself. She was really here in Hawaii. It had been a rocky start of sorts, and she was sad Layton would have to fly back to the East Coast, but Emersyn was more than ready for a new adventure. While she was sad at the possibility of Aaron leaving so soon, she was starting a new career Monday morning. She had a pretty good feeling that she'd see him whenever he returned.

Her phone buzzed, and she saw another text from Aaron.

Aaron: Just got here. On my way up.

Emersyn went to her front door and was standing there smiling when the elevator dinged a couple of minutes later and Aaron walked out in his fatigues. His entire face lit up as he spotted her, but she could tell he was stressed. There was a slight tension in his body that hadn't been there the other day when he'd gotten her moved in.

"Hey," she said softly, shocked at the rightness of Aaron walking toward her.

"Hey yourself," he said, his voice deep. His gaze tracked over her as he moved with purpose down the hallway, his eyes landing on her sneakered feet.

"I've been unpacking."

"I figured as much. Listen, I can't stay long," he said as they went into her apartment, Aaron closing the door behind them. "The team and I are getting sent out."

"I wondered if that was what this is about."

"I'm sorry," he said, his voice husky. "I was really looking forward to our date, but it looks like it'll have to be when I get back."

"Then we'll both have something to look forward to," she assured him.

Aaron reached out, tucking a stray blonde strand behind her ear. "You like when I do that," he said, his gaze assessing as her cheeks heated under his touch.

"I think it's sweet."

He licked his lips, chuckling. "What can I say? You're gorgeous but also damn adorable."

"That doesn't sound very sexy," she said with a laugh.

"Trust me, it is," Aaron countered. "I think you're sexy as hell but also have this girl-next-door vibe going for you. I'm not really into heavily made-up, shallow women. You're real."

"How do you know that's not me?" she pressed.

"I met you when you were kayaking. Some women would never even try that. They go to the beach but have on their fake eyelashes, tons of jewelry and makeup, and bikinis that were never meant to get wet. Believe me, I know the type."

"That's really not me," she agreed.

"Nope. I like everything I see when I look at you, Em."

She reached out and grabbed both his big hands, squeezing them tight before letting go. "Is it weird that I'll miss you? I mean, we just met, but—"

"It's not weird. I'll miss you, too. I was really looking forward to Saturday. Our mission shouldn't take too long, but you never know. Plus, I'd much rather hang out with you than my teammates," he said, his eyes twinkling.

"Do you have to pack and stuff tonight?"

He nodded, looking regretful. "I wish I could stay. I need to stuff everything into my duffle bag, and then we've got to gather our gear. We're going wheels up first thing in the morning. Hopefully you'll be fast asleep when I fly out," he said, his voice gentling.

"I start my new position on Monday."

"I know. You're gonna knock ‘em dead," he said, flashing her a grin.

"I'm nervous."

"Hey. That's totally normal when starting a new job. And if anyone gives you trouble, well, send them my way when I'm back," he joked. "I'll give you the names and numbers of some of my teammates' women. You might not remember, but they were there when we rescued you. If you've got any questions about Oahu or have trouble with anything, they'd be happy to help."

"Oh, I couldn't ask them for anything."

Aaron nailed her with a look. "Humor me. I'd feel better knowing you have someone to reach out to when I'm not around. Isn't your sister leaving?"

"Well, yeah."

"Man, Hudson's gonna be bummed. At least I'll get to see you when I return. But like I said, I'm a protective type of guy. I wouldn't just rush off without making sure you'll be okay."

"Aaron, we haven't even had an actual first date—"

"Yet," he finished. "We haven't had our first date yet.

She pressed her lips together, nodding. The man had shown up at the hospital for her, brought all of his teammates to help her move. Of course, he wouldn't leave the country when she was new in town without making sure she was okay.

"I'll text you their contact info tonight. Stay safe for me," he told her, his brows creasing.

"I will. I'll be at my desk bright and early Monday morning. You're the one who's no doubt headed somewhere dangerous."

He didn't deny it.

"Thanks for coming by," she said softly. "I would've understood if you had to call or text and cancel for this weekend, but I'm really glad you came."

He nodded, his face unreadable. "I'll see you soon, Em."

"Okay," she breathed, feeling sad for reasons she couldn't fully articulate. She hardly knew the man but hated knowing he'd be putting his own life on the line.

"And good luck on Monday," he said, ducking to press his lips to her forehead. "I know you'll do great."

Inexplicably, tears filled her eyes. Aaron's gaze softened, and then he was pulling her close for a hug. Her breath caught at the feel of his muscled body against hers, and Emersyn tightened her arms around him, finally pulling back. "I really have to get going," he said regretfully.

"I know. I'll be fine. I mean, if you left last week, I wouldn't have been sad at all," she joked.

Aaron's lips quirked. "Me either, but it's nice having something to look forward to when I get back."

She walked him to the door, briefly glancing down the hall toward her sister's room. Emersyn thought she'd just heard a voice, but Layton was probably on the phone. She might be on vacation, but if a real estate client contacted her, Layton would probably want to respond.

Emersyn's gaze landed back on Aaron. "Be safe," she told him.

"Always am," he quipped. They exchanged one last meaningful look, and then Aaron said goodbye and was walking away, his broad shoulders filling the narrow hall. He opened the door to the stairwell with one final glance back, somehow sensing that she was watching him. Aaron nodded, his dark gaze intense as he looked at her, and then he was gone, taking a tiny piece of her heart with him.