Page 24 of SEAL's Resolve
How much Kristi admired and respected Rafe didn’t matter. His job was to keep her safe. Perhaps Kristi felt more comfortable with Rafe than his teammates because she knew him. However, speaking to each other every few months when Rafe was home on leave couldn’t be construed as a relationship.
In fact, she didn’t have a relationship with a man aside from her father and Hugh. Her social life had been lacking since she started Kristi’s Bridal.
When her mind turned toward Hugh, she grimaced. Compared to Rafe Torres, Hugh Ward didn’t measure up. Why had she agreed to consider marrying him? She didn’t love him and deserved a man who only saw her when they were together. Hugh paid more attention to the people who noticed him than he did Kristi.
Their dinners together were usually tedious and boring. Sure, she and Hugh were friends, but they didn’t have much in common. Kristi refused to marry a man she didn’t love, even to please her father. That meant a conversation with Hugh was on her agenda as soon as possible.
At the back door to the building, Rafe waved his card in front of another reader and tapped in a code on the key pad. He ushered Kristi inside, then led her down a long, winding hallway to a large cafeteria. He escorted her to a table at the back of the room. “Do you want water or tea?”
“Water, please.”
“Are you hungry?”
Her stomach growled on cue. Cheeks burning, she smiled. “Guess that answers your question.”
Rafe chuckled. “I’ll see what Nate prepared for the trainees.”
She blinked. “The same Nate who helped with my rescue?”
“That’s the one. He’s a professional chef.”
Her mouth gaped. “You’re kidding.”
“Nope. The man can make anything taste good.”
As he spoke, the rest of Rafe’s teammates entered the cafeteria. Eli Wolfe, Wolf Pack’s leader, walked to their table while the others headed for the kitchen.
“Maddox wants an update,” he said to Rafe.
“As soon as Kristi eats, we’ll call from the conference room.”
Eli’s eyes twinkled as he turned to Kristi. “You didn’t like the food at Memorial Hospital?”
“To be honest, the food didn’t smell all that appetizing.”
He laughed. “I agree. You won’t be sorry you waited.”
She glanced at Rafe. “I’m guessing the trainees have already eaten. I don’t want to inconvenience Nate, especially since he was up half the night running down a mountain to protect me. A bagel or something simple is fine.” The way her stomach felt this morning, simple was better than a five-star gourmet meal.
“I’ll see what he has available.” He joined his teammates in the kitchen.
“So, you make wedding dresses?” Eli asked.
“That’s right. Are you getting married soon?”
He held up his left hand to show his black wedding band. “Already married to the most amazing, gorgeous woman ever born, and we have the most beautiful daughter in the world. How long have you been in business for yourself, Kristi?”
She smiled at his description of his family. Kristi longed for her future husband to describe her as amazing and beautiful. Hugh never said anything like that about her. Definitely not the right man. The sooner she turned down his proposal, the better for both of them. “Almost four years.”
“You like it?”
“I love it. Designing and creating the right dress for a bride is a dream job.” Her smiled faded. “How long will I have to stay here, Eli?”
His eyebrow rose. “Tired of my company already?”
Kristi’s face burned. “I’m sorry. That came out wrong. I need to return to Bakerhill soon. I have responsibilities to fulfill.”
“At the expense of your life?”