Read Online Saved by the SEAL by Diana Gardin - Free Book Online Page B

and back up again. “You been back on a board yet?”
    Shaking my head, I turn my eyes to the ocean. The place I’ve always felt the most at peace, the most at home. It’s rolling gently against the shore today, no big waves crashing against the sand. “Not yet. Working up to it.”
    Berkeley hugs me. “You’ll get there.”
    “I know I will.”
    We’re silent for a moment, and I know Berkeley is mourning the loss of my leg like she’s done the handful of times I’ve seen her since returning stateside. “You two grab a drink. I’ve got chips and dip in bowls over there.”
    “Awesome. I brought homemade salsa.” Berkeley drags Dare to the coolers just as Lawson and Ben head over to greet them.
    I head back into the house to hunt down Berkeley’s salsa. As I’m searching the contents of my dark cherrywood cabinets for a bowl, the doorbell rings.
    “Should have put a note on the door that says ‘Come Around Back,’” I mutter as I jog to the door.
    When I pull it open, Greta is standing there. She’s all I can see for the first couple of moments because she’s such a knockout. She’s wearing a short, blue sundress that does crazy things to the color of her eyes. Her long, dark hair is pulled up with some pieces hanging down around her fresh, clean face. Her cheeks dimple slightly as she nearly lays me out with one of her sweet smiles.
    My body strains to be wrapped around her right then. She’s a total vision, and I shift my feet with the excitement I feel at being able to show her off to my friends.
    “Hey,” she greets me.
    I step back so she can step inside, and Mea and a guy I don’t know follow her. My radar springs up instantly, circling the guy with startling intensity. Because, why the hell did she bring a guy?
    I rein in what can only be jealousy and pull her into my arms. “Hey back. You brought friends.”
    I pull back from her and reach out to grab Mea into a friendly hug. “Long time no see, Mea. You doing okay?”
    She nods, her small stature almost brimming with hyperactivity. She bounces on her toes as she scans the living room. “I’m great! This place is super nice, Grisham. You did good.”
    Smiling, I do a quick scan of the room. “I did okay, huh? Thanks.”
    Greta also gives the room a favorable once-over. “I like the white brick fireplace. That’s so different and cool.”
    Pride is a helium balloon in my chest, puffing it out a few inches. “Thanks. Painted it when I moved in. It was this weird light brick color before. It looks better now.”
    She nods and then gestures toward the guy. “I hope it’s okay I brought another friend.”
    When she says the word friend , I relax a little bit. I hadn’t realized how tense my muscles were until she said the magic F word.
    “This is Kyle. He’s my father’s assistant at Night Eagle.”
    Kyle shoves his hand in his pockets. Glancing up at me, he holds out a hand for me to shake. I eye him with keen curiosity.
    “Greta’s about to become my new coworker.” Kyle slides her a small smile.
    “Not yet,” she says firmly. “I haven’t accepted yet.”
    “You still thinking about it?” I look from Greta to Kyle and back again.
    “I’m gonna leave you guys to chat for a minute. I gotta go find Berkeley! You coming, Kyle?” Mea disappears from the room, and I hear the slider open and close in the kitchen.
    Kyle glances at Greta and me, but I can’t keep my focus off of her long enough to be friendly with him. “Better follow her outside. Catch up with you later, right, Greta?”
    She nods, a gorgeous dimple appearing in her cheek and her eyes shining bright with what can only be pure kindness. She radiates goodness, and I want to step closer so I can be captured by the glow.
    “I’m going to talk to you about the job more tonight. I need you as a sounding board.” Greta’s shy gaze slides up to mine, and my body responds with a painful rigidity. I want to take her into my arms and disappear with her, so she can