Savvy seemed in a hurry, yet she hasn’t left yet. I get into the car and watch them talk.
Maria returns beaming. “She’ll send over the paperwork to sign later today. Thank you!”
She hugs me across the console and spends the ride back talking about wall colors, curtain patterns, and how we’ll divide the weekends.
I tune out halfway through. My brain drifts to Savvy.
She drives me nuts. Why does she dislike me so much?
Memories of when we first met flood in. I was at the beach with Maria and some of her friends. My eyes caught on Savvy immediately. She was standing in knee-deep water in the ocean, staring out at the waves. She looked so serene. So beautiful. I wondered who she was.
Then my sister called out,“Savvy!”
The woman turns and smiles when she sees Maria. She walks toward us, and I take the opportunity to check her out fully. She’s wearing a bright-blue bikini and has an amazing body. Long, dark hair falls past her shoulders. As she approaches, she takesoff her sunglasses. I’m mesmerized. Her brown eyes are warm and welcoming.
“Savvy, this is my brother, Hunter. Hunter, this is my friend, Savvy. She’s a real estate agent and is willing to help us find that cabin we talked about.”
I hold out my hand. “Nice to meet you,” I say.
She smiles and takes my hand. And I swear to God, the moment we touch, I feel a charge. I’ve heard of this happening before but never experienced anything like it.
“Maria mentioned she has a brother, but she hasn’t told me anything about you,” Savvy says. “What do you do for work?”
Maria laughs. “He’s quite private. That’s why I haven’t said more. He works in security.”
Savvy arches a brow. “Security? Like for concerts?”
“No,” I say, but before I can explain, Maria jumps in.
“No, nothing like that. My brother was a Navy SEAL, and now he works for a company where he goes on missions and does all sorts of dangerous stuff.”
I chuckle. “I wouldn’t put it like that.” Even though it’s true, it’s not something I want to advertise.
Savvy’s smile drops. “Oh, you were in the military?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Savvy gives me a quick nod. “Well, nice to meet you.” Then she turns and walks away.
Maybe I’m imagining it, but she certainly cooled toward me. “She doesn’t like military guys?” I ask.
My sister’s brow shoots up. “I don’t know, but it doesn’t matter because you are not going to hit on her. Got it? She’s my friend, and I want her to stay that way. She’s off limits.”
I hold up my hands. “Got it.”
Some shirtless guy calls my sister, and she runs over.
Savvyheads back to the ocean, and I follow.
“Hey,” I say as I come up behind her.
She turns. “Hey.”
“Have you lived in the city long?”
“I have.” She stares at me. “Look, I don’t want to be rude, but I saw the way you were looking at me earlier, and it’s not going to happen. I don’t date military guys.”
I take a step back. “Wow, you certainly don’t have a confidence problem. Don’t worry, I wouldn’t ever try to date any of my sister’s friends. But I’m curious, why don’t you date military guys?”
