SEALed At Sunset by Hamilton Sharon

Author:Hamilton, Sharon [Hamilton, Sharon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, SEALs, Military
Publisher: Frog Haven Press
Published: 2020-02-18T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

Andy watched Cory and Aimee on the dance floor. Of all the things he did for her, he was most appreciative of the fact that Cory made her laugh. He just made her happy.

Sometime during the weekend, Cory was going to let Aimee know about his plans to move to Texas. The burden felt heavy on Andy’s soul, as if he was not keeping a promise. But he pushed it away, knowing that he sometimes had a penchant for overthinking and worrying about too many things.

When he looked at the staging of this affair—from the decorations to the money spent on throwing such a lavish party—it occurred to him that the bride’s family was more interested in making a statement than celebrating the marriage of their daughter. Something about the whole scene was a little off, out of control, like a grandiose corporate event that must have cost a fortune and taken months in the planning. Another message, something else could have been done instead. Something personal.

Aimee danced with numerous other guests, while Cory talked to a table of people, telling stories or overtipping the bartender to make stronger drinks. Cory acted like it was his party, given in his honor. He talked too much about what they did as an elite unit. The alcohol made him boastful and proud, looking for praise that he never could get enough of.

Someone had to watch over Aimee in Cory’s absence. Someone had to make sure that where they placed their hands on her body was appropriate, giving her the respect she so deserved.

One particular slow dance had him nearly jump to his feet and tear her out of the older man’s clutches. The guy’s palm wandered from her waist and down along her backside, which made Aimee jump.

But Andy waited, held himself back, because as they turned, he saw Aimee was smiling. He began to understand that she’d probably smile through everything in life. She was all alone, but she wasn’t lonely. He knew that Cory was a flawed individual, but Aimee would always see the good in him. No matter what.

Several women had made advances toward him, letting him know that he could ask them to dance. He even offered a couple of times. He chatted with people who passed him as he stood against the wall and watched the arena like he used to evaluate battle scenes.

He remembered the lines of girls in high school who stood together talking all evening, trying to look like they were perfectly fine with being a wallflower. Some of them would stand there all night long and never be asked to dance. They’d probably go home and share it with their pillow. He could never do that. He wondered why they tried.

Maybe that’s the difference between men and women. Maybe they try harder.

In Aimee’s case, she was kind and did it because it was the right thing to do. And because it was the right thing to do, it made her feel happy.

But things changed as Andy sipped on his third beer.

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