Unconditional Love (Journey of Love #1)(35)
Author: Kelly Elliott

“All right. Let’s hope this mission runs smoothly. I have a feeling they’re going to be expecting trouble, so it’s fast in…fast out.”

I nodded my head and said, “If that’s all, I’m going to be heading back home.”

He laughed. “No you’re not, soldier. You’re heading out tonight to Afghanistan. You’ll meet up with your SEAL partner and then head out the next morning. Sorry buddy, there is no going home.”

I nodded my head and turned to walk out the door. “Lark?”

I stopped and turned around, “Yes, sir?”

“I really hope you meant what you said earlier. I’d hate to have you or a team member get hurt because your head isn’t in the game.”

I nodded. “I promise, Skip. I’ve got this.”

I opened the door and made my way outside. I got in the rental car and pulled away. Once I was off the base and a few blocks away I pulled over, got out of the car and started yelling.

“Motherfucking son of a bitch!” I put my hands on my knees and took in a few deep breaths. I stood up and began pacing. I ran my hand through my hair and tried to calm my beating heart.

“I didn’t kiss her good-bye. I didn’t fucking kiss her good-bye!” I yelled out. I got back into the car and by the time I got to my hotel I was calmer. I told the front desk I would be staying another night and after the clerk flirted for a bit, she finally had me booked for another night. I smiled politely and made my way to my room. I got out of my uniform and pulled on a T-shirt. I picked up my cell phone and hit Azurdee’s number.

“Hello handsome. You snuck away again last night.”

I smiled when I heard her voice. “Yeah, I’m not really good at saying good-bye.”

There was silence for a few seconds before she said, “Thank you for the rose, and my note.”

I closed my eyes and tried to picture her smelling the rose. What her face looked like while reading the note.

“I’m sorry I didn’t wake you up before I left.”

“It’s okay. I understand. Are you still coming back tonight?”

I dropped my head back and cursed inwardly. I hated lying to her. “I thought I was, but it looks like we’re heading out of town. I probably won’t be back for three weeks.”

“Okay,” she whispered. “Lark?”

“Yeah, baby?”

She let out a sigh and said, “I’m not asking for information from you. I knew what your life was like when I stepped into this relationship. I just need to…I mean…please just tell me what you’re doing is safe.”

I pulled the phone away from my ear and squeezed my eyes together tightly.

I put the phone back to my ear and said, “I’ll be back in three weeks, mi amor. I promise you.”

I heard a small sob escape from her lips. “Lark, I’m falling in love with you.”

I sucked in a breath of air.

“I’m not asking or expecting you to say anything back. I just wanted you to know that. I have to go. Will you call or text me when you can?”

I nodded my head even though I knew she couldn’t see me. “Yes. I’ll text you as much as I can and call you tomorrow before I leave.”

“Okay. I’ll see ya soon.”

I wanted to tell her I was falling in love with her too, but it wouldn’t come out.

“I’ll see you soon, mi amor.”

She hung up before I could say anything else. I tossed my phone behind me on the bed and decided to go for a run. As I got changed, my cell phone went off with a text message. I quickly grabbed it hoping it was Azurdee.

Unfortunately, it was Sherry.

Sherry: So are you up for a get together tonight?

Me: Sorry Sherry, I’m afraid our partnership is going to have to cease. I have a girlfriend now and I intend on being faithful to her.

Sherry: The brunette you were with the other night?

Me: Yes.

Sherry: I had a feeling something was going on when you kept turning me down. Well let me know when it doesn’t work out. I’ll be waiting.

I rolled my eyes and hit delete. I set out for my run and for the first time since Nikki, my heart longed for another person. The only question I had was would I be able to check my heart at the door when I needed to?

“Azurdee, darling. I swear your chocolate croissants get better every time I eat them,” Mrs. Hamilton said as she took the bag I was handing her. “I can’t wait for the restaurant to open. I’m so excited for you. When are you planning on opening?”

I smiled and said, “I’m hoping maybe March if everything goes well. April at the latest.”

“How wonderful. I’m sure I’ll see you, but if not, have a wonderful Christmas.”

I walked her to the door and said, “Don’t forget, we will be closed for the whole week of Christmas. I’ll be out of town.”

“That’s right. Oh dear. I’ll have to pull out the old coffee pot I guess.”

We both laughed and she walked out the door and then I shut it and locked it. I turned and looked at Ralph, who began laughing. I shot him a dirty look and pushed past him. If I didn’t love him like a brother, he would have been fired months ago.

“My God, Dee. You practically pushed her out the door. What in the world is wrong with you this week?”

“Nothing. I’m fine,” I said as I gritted my teeth. I wasn’t fine. I was going crazy out of my mind. I hadn’t heard from Lark in over a week. He was a week late in getting home and the thoughts running through my mind were driving me insane. I even called Scott and had him come up with some lame excuse to contact Lark’s parents to make sure they hadn’t heard any bad news.

“You need to get laid,” Ralph said. I turned and looked at him. My mouth dropped open and I said, “Excuse me?”

He shrugged his shoulders and repeated, “You need to get laid. When is your boyfriend due back?”

How Ralph even knew I had a boyfriend was still a mystery. “How do you even know I’m dating anyone?”

He rolled his eyes as he began cleaning up. “Please. Girl, you came walking in here almost two months ago with your cheeks flushed and pep in your step. Anyone could see you’d either won the lottery or just had one hell of a night getting fucked.”

I threw a rag at him and started laughing. “Oh my God! When did you start talking like that?”

It was his turn to roll his eyes at me. “Please, my partner probably has the dirtiest mouth you could ever imagine.”