SEAL Ever After - Makenna Jameison Page 0,2

happy hour.

“Hey hun!” Morgan called out with a grin as she stood up from a bench and hurried over. Her eyes ran over Sarah’s scrubs. “Cute outfit,” she teased.

Sarah laughed, pulling her long hair free from the ponytail it had been in all day. She ran her fingers through it, the ocean breeze blowing it around. Waves crashed on the shore down past the boardwalk, and she already felt more relaxed and carefree. “That’s what I get for planning an impromptu girl’s night. You like?” she asked, doing a little twirl.

A guy jogging by whooped and gave her the thumbs up, and she rolled her eyes at her friend.

“I’m sure Commander Hottie would have no complaints,” Morgan said, waggling her eyebrows. “Are you sure he was too busy on base to join us?”

“Right. Even if he was free, I doubt he’d be rushing over here,” Sarah said dryly.

“Oh, he’ll get over that one day,” Morgan said, linking arms with Sarah as they headed toward their favorite bar.

“One day. In this or the next lifetime?” Sarah asked.

Morgan giggled as they walked up to the outdoor bar area.

The first time they’d all gone out together for drinks, Sarah and Morgan had stripped down and gone skinny dippy in the ocean afterward. Technically it hadn’t even really been skinny dipping—Sarah had kept on her bra and panties. And while Sarah, Morgan, and Morgan’s date had splashed around under the stars, Ryan had been less than pleased.

That didn’t mean he didn’t enjoy skinny dipping with her in the privacy of his own backyard pool though. Sarah knew firsthand he enjoyed that a little too much.

“What’s so funny?” Morgan asked, catching the expression on her face after they’d each ordered a margarita.

“You know how Ryan has a pool in his backyard, right?” Sarah asked, brushing her hair back as it blew in the breeze. “Well one time we were skinny dipping there—”

“Ryan—skinny dipping?” Morgan shrieked. “Hold up because hell has definitely frozen over.”

Sarah threw her head back with laughter. “Yes, but only in the privacy of his own backyard. He still hasn’t forgiven us for that little beach incident. Anyway, someone from base came to the front door while we were in the pool, and he was frantically running through the house naked to grab a towel. Now he always keeps clothes nearby just in case.”

Morgan nearly choked on the drink the bartender had just put down in front of her. “Those SEALs are always prepared. Good lord, I still cannot imagine that.”

Sarah shrugged, taking a sip of her margarita. “He’s all business on base, for sure. And around town, he’d got his image to maintain, you know? A lot of guys fall under his command.”

“Like your brother,” Morgan needlessly pointed out.

“Hey, you know I think all the military protocol and such is a bit much. I’m the last person in the world who’d want to follow those rules. But even the most strict and stoic among them have to let loose and live, you know? I mean, sure, training and going into battle is one thing, but there’s no reason to be that disciplined all the damn time.”

“Amen,” Morgan said, raising her glass in the air.

Sarah shook her head with a smirk, enjoying the feel of the warm sun on her skin. She relaxed back in her chair, glancing out at the beach. Families played together and couples strolled hand-in-hand.

“You’re lucky Ryan doesn’t get sent out like the others on missions and stuff,” Morgan commented. “I swear, you can barely handle a night or two with him gone.”

“For sure,” Sarah agreed. “He used to, but being the commanding officer has its benefits. I’d be worried out of my mind if he was deploying all the time like Patrick. It was bad enough when Patrick was injured—I don’t think I could handle if anything happened to Ryan.”

“I hate to say it, but Rebecca and Patrick have the worst luck. First with her stalker and then with his injury.” She shuddered.

“That was horrible, but it brought Ryan and me together and prompted Patrick to propose. I think we’ve all had enough drama in our lives for a while though” Sarah said, taking a sip of her margarita. “And believe me, I’m thankful. Life can be boring and safe for a while.”

“I’ll drink to that,” Morgan agreed.

Chapter 2

Navy SEAL Captain Ryan Mitchell frowned as he got home the next night, shutting the door to his black SUV and walking up to his house. The late afternoon sun