My Last by Melanie Shawn

Author:Melanie Shawn [Shawn, Melanie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Red Hot Reads Publishing
Published: 2013-07-27T14:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Riley loved watching Chelle. He was blown away by how people responded to her, and how she seemed to blend seamlessly into any new situation. His friends obviously loved her, and she seemed to be having a good time, as well.

After dinner, they all decided to go into the game room to play some cards, and Chelle was currently killing them at gin rummy. She looked so relaxed, like she didn’t have a care in the world, and Riley thought that he could sit here, watching her laughing and having fun, for the rest of his life and never tire of it.

They heard the baby cry and Mindy stood, “That’s my cue.”

“Yeah, that's probably our cue, too. It’s getting late, we ought to get going.” Riley stood and gave Mindy a hug.

“Do you mind if I go say goodbye to the baby?” Chelle asked.

“Of course.” Mindy threaded her arm through Chelle’s as the women headed up the stairs. As he watched her leave, he realized how perfectly she fit into his world. In fact, he realized that maybe it wasn't even so much that Chelle fit into his world, but more that his world had always had a Chelle-sized hole in it, just waiting for her to come along and take her rightful place.

He knew this was a dangerous train of thought, but damn. The evidence was difficult to ignore. None of his family or friends from home had ever met his military family. Not even Eddie. He tended to keep those worlds separate. But Chelle just wove right in. No fuss, no muss. She was perfectly matched.

Tommy remained seated and took a long swig of his beer. “So, you still planning on heading down to New Orleans?”

Riley sat back down, “Yeah.” He picked up his Bud and took a drink.

“Really?” Tommy didn’t look convinced. In fact, he seemed a little 'smirky' for Riley's liking.

Riley shrugged. “Yeah, why wouldn’t I?”

Tommy’s eyes moved to the stairs where Chelle had just been.

“We’re just friends.” Riley spoke harshly, he felt his jaw lock and a tension rolled through him.

Tommy was a good guy, they had served four tours together. He would do anything for him. He trusted him with his life. But this was not a subject that was open for discussion.

Tommy smiled, “Look, I know we haven’t seen a lot of each other the last couple of years since I got out, but I do know you. And she’s it for you. She’s the real deal.”

Riley did not want to go down this path. “We’re just friends,” he stated again, firmly.

Tommy leaned forward resting his arms on the card table, “I don’t know if you’re just too dumb to realize it or too chicken shit to admit it. But either way, it doesn’t change the fact that you love that girl. And if I’m not mistaken, she loves you. The question is - what are you going to do about it?”

“Nothing.” Riley knew he sounded angry, and he also knew his friend was just trying to look out for him.

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