Taking It Slow - Reese Knightley Page 0,3

to brush it back.

“It’s strange seeing you with hair,” he teased.

Luke gave a bark of laughter and his eyes lightened as if grateful for the change in conversation.

In the next moment, they were interrupted by Maddox, River, and Blade.

“Colonel,” River said and smiled at both him and the General.

“Ah yes. General, let me introduce you. This is First Lieutenant River Seeger, his partner, Captain Maddox Stone, and Sergeant Blade Hammond.”

“This is General Rhine,” Liam said.

“Retired,” Luke said, shaking hands with everyone. “It’s nice to meet you.”

The rest of Infinity gravitated toward them as a collective whole and they were soon surrounded.

Introductions were done for the rest of the group with back clasping and chuckles.

“And? I’m sorry,” Luke said to Dillon, who had stood apart during the introductions. “I haven’t had the pleasure.” The General reached out his hand to Dillon.

Dillon, looking rugged and somewhat uncomfortable in a coal black suit and tie, tipped his shorn head. He slowly reached out and gripped Luke’s hand.

“Staff Sergeant Dillon Thorne,” Dillon’s deep voice rumbled out.

“Retired General Luke Rhine.”

Dillon tugged his hand away and Luke’s smile grew. When Luke’s hand was released, Liam noticed he closed it into a light fist.

“How about a round of drinks at the bar, ladies and gentlemen?” Luke offered.

“I could use one,” Pia smiled.

“I’m down,” Oliver agreed.

“I’m good.” Liam held up his drink and smiled amidst the course of agreements, and soon Luke and Infinity were lost in the sea of people.

“Colonel?”

Liam turned and found one of the coordinators with a very serious expression on his face.

“Yes?”

“There’s a woman waiting in reception for you.”

Okay, that was unexpected.

“Thank you,” he said and placed his drink down before he headed toward the reception area.

“Liam!”

He smirked when Marly squeaked his name.

“What are you doing here?”

“Anna said you’d be at the event, so I decided to surprise you.”

Even though their marriage had ended years ago, Marly still stopped by his place regularly.

“Anna told you where I was?” He squinted, but not really in anger, it was more of amused annoyance.

“Oh poo. Don’t be mad.” She sidled up to him. “I’ll be your beard tonight.”

“I don’t need one.” And he hadn’t for years. He’d stopped hiding who he was the day he’d asked her for a divorce.

“Oh, I know, silly. But I’m all dressed up.” Her eyes were hopeful and only a bit sly.

He shook his head and held out the crook of his arm.

She squeaked again and bounced closer to clutch at his arm. Marly was a cutthroat and well-respected attorney in the city. She may have looked innocent, but she was a ball buster in and out of the court room.

Don’t forget she’s a master manipulator. He sighed inwardly and glanced around for Spencer before gazing down at Marly.

Her brown hair was pulled up in a top bun, tendrils falling around her face. There was a dash of freckles over her cheeks and nose, and with wide green eyes sparkling along with her smiling pink lips, she was lovely.

He’d known her since junior high and had married her right out of high school. A big mistake, but they’d been too young to realize that.

Liam guided her to a bar just inside the door, and she immediately ordered a drink and flirted with the bartender.

The party was in full swing and he swept his gaze around the room. Moving his attention to the doorway, he locked his eyes on the door.

Marly grabbed his arm, drawing his attention.

“Come on, introduce me to your friends.” She batted her lashes.

“Why? Are you looking for another husband?”

She rolled her eyes, her red lips stretching wide. “Maybe?”

“What happened to Tim?” He reminded her about her last boyfriend.

“He was a player. I kicked him to the curb when I found out he met his ex-girlfriend for a romp at the beach.”

Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. Marly was hunting husband number three, no, wait, she was currently divorced, so that meant she was looking for husband number four.

Liam had been husband number one, before he’d told her he was gay. Back then, she’d been furious with him for coming out, signing the divorce papers, but only grudgingly. It had taken months, but eventually he’d gotten her to see how unhappy they’d been. He’d promised to always be her friend and she’d eventually accepted that. Once they’d worked the split out, she’d been onto another man by the time the ink had dried on their divorce papers.

“I don’t know if I want my friends to be on your