A SEAL's Kiss

“A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do,” Nina said, looking so content Sage couldn’t even teasingly chide her. “Besides, I didn’t think you could get back until summer and I didn’t want to wait that long to become Mrs. Jeffrey Philips.”

“I can’t believe you married my doctor,” Sage said, laughing as she wandered through Nina’s new living room. Filled with thick carpets, rich wood and silk-covered furniture, it was posh to say the least. She wasn’t surprised that after less than two weeks her friend had already unpacked and settled in. Nina was good at that.

“Well, you weren’t going to date him. I figured I’d give it a try,” Nina said, stretching out on the divan with a contented look on her face.

“You said you’d never marry a guy who had a job that might come before you, remember? I can’t imagine a doctor doesn’t put his career in the top slot.”

Nina’s shrug was as luxurious as the room itself. Clearly priorities were adjustable if the bank account was big enough.

Hey, that might not be her way, but Sage couldn’t fault her friend. At least she knew what she wanted. Unlike some people who had spent over a decade claiming they knew what they wanted—even if whatever that was changed from year to year.

Sage pushed her hand through her hair, recently dyed back to her original golden-blond. After three months of bouncing from job to job in Sedona, Arizona—the woowoo capital of the desert—she’d finally accepted that she actually had no idea what she wanted. Or where she wanted it.

So she’d done what anyone would do. She’d slinked home without a word to anyone. She’d hoped to sneak into her father’s house and hide until she’d figured out what was missing from her life. But she’d run into the new Dr. and Mrs. Philips at the airport, of all places.

“You realize now that I’m settled, you’re the last one of our circle still single,” Nina pointed out, inspecting her manicure as if checking to see if she were up to the coming task of taking care of that little problem.

“No. No, no, no,” Sage protested, sinking into the chair opposite her friend and offering a look of horror. “No fix-ups. You married the last guy you tried to fix me up with, which should tell you how bad you are at matchmaking.”

“I have other guys in mind this time,” Nina informed her. “I’ve been making a list since Cailley’s wedding.”

That sounded ominous enough to send a chill down Sage’s spine. A list that long meant Nina was determined. A determined Nina was a pain-in-the-ass Nina. And Sage just couldn’t deal with it right now.

Not while she was fighting the horrible suspicion that everyone had been right about her for years. That, instead of being a free spirit in search of bliss, she was really a wishy-washy flake who’d never be satisfied with anything.

“That’s sweet of you to think of me,” Sage said quickly. “But I’m not available.”

“Of course you are.”

“No. I’m not.”

Nina gave a pitying click of her tongue, as if Sage thinking she had any say in this was funny.

“You need a guy. I’m going to find you one. The perfect one,” Nina stated. “Even if we have to go through dozens to get there. Which is fine, since I have a lot of options on my list.”

Good God. Sage shuddered. She had to stop this. Now. There was no way she was going to get her head together and figure out why her life was so blah if she was fending off blind dates.

“I’m not available,” she insisted. Maybe if she pretended to have a boyfriend, Nina would leave her alone.

“Why? Because you’re dating some schmo who you’ll dump in two weeks? That’s fine. I can wait.”

“He’s not a schmo. He’s a great guy. The perfect guy.” After all, why would she date an imaginary guy who wasn’t perfect?

“Who?”

Sage shrugged, trying to look coy while her mind raced. She wanted Nina off her back, or she’d be fending off fix-ups from her, AnaMaria and Cailley until she left town. But she was lousy at lying. She was a great dancer, though, so hopefully sidestepping would be enough.

“Is it serious?”

“I wouldn’t say serious,” Sage prevaricated.

“Then you are okay to date other guys.”

“Although we are talking marriage.” The words flew off Sage’s tongue before her brain even realized they were an option.

She wanted to grab them back. Marriage? Her? Nina was sure to laugh in her face, grab her phone and arrange Sage’s first fix-up date before she’d even unpacked.

Before she could grab, or think up a better lie to cover up her first lie, Nina flew into a sitting position, going from mellow to shocked in a single breath.

“Who? Who’s the guy?” Eyes narrowed, Nina shook her head. “The perfect guy, who you’re crazy enough about to stick with for more than five minutes, and willing to consider marrying, which means introducing him to your father and friends.”

She made it sound like that guy didn’t exist.

Sage frowned. She might have a point.

Then, like a lightbulb flashing on, she had it.

“Aiden.” She gave Nina a triumphant smile. “Aiden Masters and I are engaged.”

* * *

FEELING A LITTLE SMUG and a lot relieved to be off the matchmaking hit list, Sage walked into her dad’s house, calling his name as she moved through the rooms.

She’d emailed last night to tell him she’d be here today. When she’d gone straight from the airport to Nina’s, she’d texted to let him know she’d be a few hours. His lack of reply hadn’t worried her. He always read her notes, but rarely replied.

But his lack of presence in his own house was starting to make her twitch.

She reached the study and stopped short, frowning.

She always found him in the study, buried in books, papers and his own brilliant thoughts.

Where was he?

“Dad?” she called again, heading back to the front of the house. “Are you here?”

“Sage?” Coming from the kitchen, her father pushed a hand through his hair, sounding confused. “When did you get home? I wasn’t expecting you.”

She opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

It’d only been eight months since she’d seen him. What had happened? He looked horrible. Like he’d lost weight, color and half his life force. Her feet felt like they were glued to the floor with dread as he shuffled over to wrap his arms around her. Instead of being engulfed in the usual bear hug, it was like being patted down by a skeleton. And what did he mean, he wasn’t expecting her? Her frown deepened and a heavy knot took hold deep in her belly.

Before she could comment, another man joined them in the foyer.

“Dr. Brooke?” she said in greeting, sounding as confused as she felt. She thought that while her father respected their neighbor as a skilled oncologist, he also considered the guy as boring as dried mud. Now they were coffee buddies?

“Sage, I’m glad you’re home,” the doctor said, his expression gravely relieved.

“What’s going on?”