A scarf caught my eye. It had wavy stripes in every shade of blue and turquoise, like a tropical ocean. Or Jenna’s eyes. I used my free hand to pull it off the display, because there was no way in hell I was going to let go of her. Not if it made her feel safe. “This would look beautiful on you. Do you like it?”
She freed her hand to take the scarf. “It’s lovely, and so soft too.”
“Try it on.”
She moved away just enough to wrap it around herself.
“I didn’t think it was possible for your eyes to look any bluer, but they do. May I buy it for you?”
Her cheeks turned a pretty pink as she slowly nodded. “Thank you.”
The shopkeeper came closer. “Bonita,” he crooned, reaching toward the scarf.
Jenna stiffened, her smile turning frozen, as uneasiness filled her eyes. I snaked an arm around her waist and tugged her to me.
“Like this,” the obtuse man said, still trying to fucking touch her.
I shifted her behind me. “We got it.”
The man quickly stepped back. I narrowed my eyes, and he took two more steps back.
Only when he was far enough away did I turn to Jenna, keeping myself between her and the shopkeeper. I held her with one hand, the other caressing her face, taking in her wide, surprised eyes. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Areyouokay?”
Was she really going to deny what I saw plain as day on her face? “You didn’t want him to touch you.”
“Liam, it’s okay.” She softened, leaning into me. “He was just going to rearrange the scarf. It would’ve been fine no matter what, but especially with you here, there was nothing to worry about.”
“No one should touch you if you don’t want to be touched.”
“He was only going to touch the scarf. It was innocent. Just because I don’t like being touched doesn’t mean I expect everyone else to feel the same. Some people are more touchy-feely, and how could they know that I’m not?”
I opened my mouth to rage back at that, because no way in hell was that acceptable, but Jenna’s smile was so sweet and bright, I couldn’t bring myself to chase her radiance away. “Do you still want the scarf?” I asked instead.
“Absolutely. I love it, and I love it even more because it’s from you.”
“Would you like to see a dessert menu?” our waitress asked later that evening.
Jenna nodded eagerly, making me chuckle. Again. Dinner had been filled with easy conversation and laughter.
After we ordered flan and the waitress walked away, we had the first awkward pause in conversation, and I sensed Jenna contemplating her next words.
“What are you thinking about so hard? You can say anything to me.”
“I was just wondering, what made you leave the Army?” She rushed to add, “You don’t have to tell me if it’s too personal.”
“I’m an open book to you, Jenna. You can ask me anything.” I thought for a moment, wanting to give her the real answer,not the easy one that usually rolled off my tongue. “There was no injury or mission gone wrong or anything like that. I just felt done, you know? I’d wanted to serve my country, and I did. In my six years serving, I eliminated some bad guys, and I helped save some of the good guys. During those same years, I also gave my family a lot of worry. I wasn’t there with them when my dad needed emergency heart surgery, or when they were struggling at the restaurant while he recovered. I’d missed my brother’s and sister’s graduations. My friends back home were falling in love and getting married, and I wanted that too.”
“Your family is so proud of you, I’m sure. They wouldn’t hold any of that against you.”
“I know they don’t. That’s part of why I wanted to get out, though. I wanted more time with them. I wanted the chance to have that kind of family for myself one day.”
“You’re so lucky to have that.” The wistfulness in her voice made my heart ache for her.
“You don’t?”
A shadow washed over Jenna’s expression. “Growing up, Tyler and I were really close. We still talk often, but I’ve only seen him a couple of times over the last eight years. I miss him so much. My parents...they mean well, but we aren’t close. My dad owns a shipping and logistics company, and my mom is an environmental lobbyist. When I was growing up, they were usually either working or shmoozing. Even when they were there, they were distracted.”