Secrets of War: A Military Romance by RD Jordan Read Free Book Online Page B

knew there was more to it than that. But he also knew it would take time for her to trust him again. And he would make sure she did.
    He drove to a nearby steak restaurant he liked. The waitress showed them to a table about the time Steve Pressman arrived with a female companion.
    Steve Pressman had grown up with Suzanne and Jamie. He’d been Scottie Pippen to Jamie’s Michael Jordan all their lives. Steve also came from an impressive military background and the moment he turned 18, he’d enlisted in the Marines. He was now the managing director at the Veteran hospital. There had always been something about him, Jamie just didn’t like.
    Unlike Jamie, Steve had always treated the Marines more like a business than a way of life. He guessed that was why he’d managed to serve three tours of duty and come back without a scratch or the mental scars. Even now on a casual evening, he was dressed to the nine’s in a designer suit and highly polished new boots.
    “Suzanne? Is that you?” he said stopping at their table. “Welcome home baby girl, it is so good to see you.”
    Suzy scooted out of the booth she and Jamie had been seated at to give him the hug his arms were wide open for. “Hi Steve! It’s good to see you too. I’ve been meaning to stop by your office over at the VA and say hi. Things have just been so crazy,” she said taking her seat.
    “Yet, you still find time to volunteer to help others,” he said tugging at her pigtails. “Still the same old sweet Suzy.”
    Steve hadn’t even addressed Jamie as he kept his undivided attention on Suzy which had Jamie’s blood boiling.
    “I’m loving the pigtails. I don’t suppose you would go out with a broken down old Marine, would you?” Steve asked her.
    “She’s out with one at the moment, in case you hadn’t noticed,” Jamie retorted angrily.
    Acting as if he hadn’t even spoke, Steve went on, “I’d love to take you over to Carol’s and show you how nicely I can do a Texas two-step.” He grinned at her.
    “Jamie,” Suzy warned softly when Jamie tensed like he was about to stand up. She didn’t fancy a brawl in here this evening, and she knew Jamie was at a low boiling point. “You know Steve, when things are a little more settled for me. I will definitely think about it.”
    Steve started to try and convince her but he stopped, as Jamie was now glaring at him and with eyes even colder than the ones he’d shown him when he’d asked Suzy to prom seventeen years ago.
    “Okay, well I’ll give you some time. But I won’t give up,” Steve said winking at her before he walked away.
    “Well, that was awkward,” she said to Jamie.
    “You know how much I hate him,” he replied.
    “Yeah, I do. But we aren’t seventeen anymore. I’m not your girl and I won’t be. You should both grow up.”
    “Well, listen to you, sounding like a mother,” Jamie replied teasing her. He looked at her smiling with his heart, never his mouth but his heart always touched her more. “And who said you won’t be my woman?”

 
    CHAPTER EIGHT
     
     
    I t’d been a month since their first date , well at least that was what Jamie referred to it as. He’d been able to convince her to have coffee with him every week after their therapy session and today was no different, they were sitting in Cultivar coffee house, a barista heaven in the center of town.
    They served organic and fair trade espresso which was their main attraction, but if you’re hungry, they also served delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner. The ambiance begged you to sink into a dark booth, crack open a good book, and enjoy a cup of espresso, but if you wanted company, you were welcome to bring your best friend, as dogs were allowed on the outdoor patio. They were right across the street from Suzanne ’s store and therefore, she spent a lot of time there.
    Jamie had thought a lot about forgiving Suzy for the note and cruelty all those years ago. They had both been so young. Maybe she’d been