Desert Alpha: A Lady Boss Press Navy SEAL Novella Bethany Lopez (brene brown rising strong TXT) 📖

small, I’m sure you’re constantly running into him. At the gym, at chow … the Cantina.” Rip looked back over his shoulder, before his head swung back toward me. “Is he back there now?”

I grimaced and nodded.

It felt like Rich’s eyes were always following me when I was in his vicinity.

“I gotta see this guy,” he said, standing up and reaching his hand out to let me up. “We can get our last drink and you can point him out.”

I chuckled and accepted his hand.

“Oh, I guarantee Rich knew the moment you sat down with me and is very aware that we came back here. He’s a very jealous person.”

“He was there for the divorce, right?” Rip asked.

“Yup, signed the papers and everything.”

“Sounds like the guy needs to learn when to let go.”

“That’s an understatement,” I said, my heart warming when he kept his hand in mine as we walked.

I enjoyed the feeling of his hand enveloping mine until we reached the corner and were about to join the crowd again and then I let it go. As much as I enjoyed it, I didn’t want either of us to get in trouble over the small public display of affection … which was verboten.

“I’m sure his ass is well and truly chapped at the thought of me hooking up with you … with all of your tall, hot, bad-assness,” I informed him, then stopped walking when I realized what I’d said.

I glanced up at Rip to see him grinning down at me.

“Perfect,” was all he said, then he turned the corner and walked by the stage back into the Cantina and continued straight.

I followed, noting Lori and King were still seated at the table where we’d left them, heads together as they talked. And as I reached Rip, I felt the heat of Rich’s stare and saw him glaring at us from the table he shared with is buddies.

I wanted to sigh, eye-roll, scream … but instead I ignored him and ordered my drink.

“He’s still here,” Rip said, which meant I must have given some indication of my annoyance.

“At your three o’clock,” I whispered. “Average height, blonde hair, and a scowl on his face.”

Rip looked over at Rich discreetly and said, “That guy? I could take him in my sleep.”

I chuckled and nodded in agreement.

He totally could. Rich was a man of words no action.

“He’s really got a hard-on for you. How long have you been divorced?” he asked.

“Over two years.”

Rip’s gaze swung to mine. “And he’s still acting like a jealous husband?”

“Yup.”

“Jesus, does he have mental problems? Maybe he should see a doctor.”

I wanted to laugh, but Rip sounded serious, and it wasn’t anything I hadn’t wondered myself over the years. I’d even tried to encourage Rich to see a therapist when we were going through the divorce.

“Just try and ignore him, that’s what I do. I only wanted to tell you, so you weren’t left wondering why this random guy was giving you the stank eye while you’re here.”

Rip grinned and said, “I’m used to average-looking losers giving me the stank eye, just for being me. At least this asshole has a reason … because I’m hitting on his smokin’ hot ex-wife.”

I wasn’t sure if I should be put off by his cockiness or thrilled with his compliment. I went with thrilled.

“Come on, let’s go join the others,” he said, and started back toward our group.

“Hey, where’d you two sneak off to?” Lori asked as we took our seats.

I felt my cheeks heat.

“I was just showing Rip around,” I said lamely.

Lori’s answering grin told me she didn’t believe me. At all.

I gave her a look back that said, shut up, before turning my attention to the guys who were laughing about something.

“He got pissed, said something about going for a swim,” King was saying.

“What happened?” I asked.

“Scotty got mad at something the other guy, Hummer, said and took off for the pool,” Lori told me.

“But the pool’s closed,” I replied lamely.

King glanced my way with a smirk. “Never stopped him before.”

“Where’s the Chief?” Rip asked him.

“He left about thirty minutes ago to call the family. Hummer went after Scotty, but I’m sure he could use some help. You know how Scotty gets.”

Rip picked up his tall boy and downed it at an impressive speed, before standing and looking down at me.

“We’ve gotta go save Scotty from himself. I’ll see you later, yeah?”

I nodded and said, “Be careful.”

Rip smiled and King chuckled and then it was just me and Lori left at the table.

“Did everyone else call it quits for the night?” I asked, indicating the group we’d been sitting with before Rip and King had joined us.

Lori nodded and said,” It’s getting late. I’m about to call it a night myself, you ready?”

I picked up my wine and stood.

“Sure, let’s go.”

I walked to the end of the table, where Lori met me. She linked her arm in mine and said, “And, on the way, you’re going to spill the tea about where you and that hunk of a man got off to. I need to know, was he reeling you in?”

I laughed and bumped her with my hip. “I don’t kiss and tell.”

“Oh my God, you kissed?” she whisper shouted.

Lori let go of my arm and did a little happy dance before taking my arm again and spinning me around.

We probably looked like idiots, but we stayed there laughing and dancing on the walkway until our sides hurt.

Chapter 8

Rip

We’d found Scotty in the pool, splashing around like an idiot, and were able to get him out and back to tent city before anyone was the wiser.

Scotty wasn’t a big drinker, he was mostly just a loudmouth, so those three tall boys had actually given him a good enough buzz that he kept us up with his talking and singing. All in all, it was a pretty good night, ending with a fantastic night’s sleep on an actual mattress.

By the time I woke up the next