LITMIR.BIZ

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and gentlemen, thank you for joining us today,” the mayor said, his tone holding jovial respect. “I’d like to offer a special thanks to our honored guests. Admiral Pierce, Bedford’s own Brody Lane, as well as the United States Navy SEAL team he serves with.”

      Mayor Tucker dived into his speech with gusto, reveling in the attention but keeping a sober, respectful tone that made it clear that this was more than just a promo op for him.

      After he wound up his words by expressing pride that the town could call one of their own a part of such an esteemed group, he handed the lectern over to the SEALs.

      Brody joined his team as they honored their fallen comrade. Like the others, when his time came he stood and said a few words. Not about heroism, or about his own loss. He spoke of what it meant to be a SEAL. Of why they did what they did. It wasn’t for glory, or even for acknowledgment. That’s why their missions were classified. They did it because they were the best. Because they were the ones who could.

      As he finished, he looked at his team. Landon, Masters, Castillo and the rest. Their faces echoed the pride he felt. By the time he stepped away from the lectern, he’d found peace.

      His gaze found Genna’s.

      And there, he’d found love.

      He figured it was a lucky man who could claim both. And an idiot who’d let either go.

      * * *

      GENNA WIPED THE tears from her cheeks, but they just kept coming. Thankfully, nobody was looking at her as she moved off the stage. All eyes were on the SEALs as the men stood to leave. She wouldn’t have been surprised if the building didn’t tilt to one side, everyone moved toward them so quickly.

      “Genna.”

      After another quick swipe over her cheeks, she turned to offer the mayor a smile.

      “That was fabulous. Wonderful,” he gushed, almost bouncing in his Gucci loafers he was so excited. “I wasn’t sure about the changes at first, but you were so right. Kudos. If you ever want a job with me again, it’s yours.”

      After a quick pat on her shoulder, he made like a whirlwind toward the press. Leaving Genna to blink. Wow. The man had never been that effusive when he’d actually had to sign her paycheck.

      “Nice offer.”

      Sighing, she turned to face her parents. “I’m not going back to work for the mayor.”

      “Of course you’re not, darling,” her mother said, elbowing her husband. “I’ve been playing hostess at the dessert table. Sweetheart, your offerings are amazing. And the money people are paying!”

      Genna and her father exchanged smiles. Nothing turned Cara Reilly’s opinion around faster than other people’s opinions. Especially when those opinions were made in cash.

      “I just wanted to sneak away for a moment to give you a kiss and tell you how proud I am,” her mother continued. “Now I’m going back to the table. I want to make sure every sale includes a flier for your business. I’m keeping a list, too, of people who’ve expressed interest. I’ll be happy to follow up and remind them to buy stuff later.”

      As excited as if she’d thought it up and pushed Genna into starting Sugar and Spice herself, Cara gave her daughter a quick kiss, then hurried off.

      “Thank you,” she said quietly to her father.

      “I didn’t change her mind,” he said with a shrug. “And I’m still not completely sure this is a good idea. There are a lot of risks. But I do believe you can handle them.”

      “Then thank you twice,” Genna said with a reluctant laugh. “For believing I can handle myself. And for bringing Brody.”

      Her dad nodded, his gaze cutting across the room. Maybe it was the white uniforms, or just the general air of command, but the SEALs stood out as if a spotlight were shining on them.

      “He’s a good man,” her father told her. He offered a bittersweet smile. “The kind of man anyone would be proud to have for a son.”

      Oh. Genna had thought she was through with tears. Knowing how hard that was for her father to say, to even think given his guilt and anger over Joe, all she could do was offer a hug. And sniffle a little more.

      “Go on,” her dad said after giving her a quick squeeze. “You have things to do.”

      “No.” She looked around the room, so glad she wasn’t ever going to have to plan one of these things again. “My part is done.”

      “That’s not what I meant.”

      Genna looked toward the podium, her eyes immediately finding Brody. She’d done this for him. To honor what she thought he believed heroism to be. To give everyone, including herself, a chance to show their gratitude for what he and others like him did. And, maybe, to give him a little closure.

      She hadn’t thought about after, though.

      And now that it was here, she was nervous.

      “Maybe later. This is his moment. I’ll talk to him after the crowd disperses.” Or at his gramma’s. Or maybe she’d write a letter.

      “Excuse me.”

      “Or you could try now.” With an inclination of his head and a twitch of his lips, her father gave Genna an arch look and said, “Good luck.” And left.

      Just like that. Years of overprotective hovering and he chose this moment to let her sink or swim?

      Her nerves jangling so hard in her system, she was surprised her entire body wasn’t vibrating, Genna pressed her lips together, took a breath and turned around.

      Oh. He was so gorgeous.

      She’d never been one of those women who swooned over a guy in uniform before. But Brody in uniform? Delicious.

      “Can we talk?” he asked quietly.

      She wasn’t sure she was ready to. She’d been so nasty to him before, then instead of trying to fix things, she’d arranged an event he’d specifically said he didn’t want.

      “Seriously? You want to talk?” she asked, trying to sound as if she was teasing instead of nervous. She gestured to the group of still-surrounded men. “It looks like the admiral is leaving―shouldn’t you say goodbye? Why don’t you spend this time with your friends? I’ll be here if you want to talk later.”

      Here, home, somewhere.

      But Brody didn’t even look around. Instead, those golden eyes stared, intense and hypnotic. Genna wanted to squirm. Not from nerves this time, though. Nope, that was pure sexual heat in that gaze. The kind that made her want to strip him out of that delicious uniform and taste everything underneath.

      “C’mon,” he said, taking her hand. Fingers wrapped around hers, he led her to the door. “I can talk to them later. We need to talk now.”

      Later?

      Unlike Brody, Genna looked back. She caught Blake’s eye. The other man, admittedly dashing in his uniform, gave her a slow nod. For the success of the event? Or because he thought Brody might be returning to his team? Blake’s expression didn’t give anything away. Damn, these men were hard to read.

      Still, she didn’t ask. Not while Brody led her out of the building. Not when he looked around, then guided her over to the small gazebo across the street from the town hall. Not when he took off his hat, tossed it on the bench and took her hands.

      She did melt a little then, though. It felt so good to touch him again. It wasn’t until this second that she realized how afraid she’d been that she’d never be able to again.

      “I’m sorry,” she said quickly, before he could say a word.

      “What for?”

      “For yelling at you. For trying to push you into doing what I thought

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