The Veteran Who Shouldn't Want Me

The young woman keeps wiping the counter, jaw set, while the young man holds his hand out across it.

I kept wiping the counter. My hand did not shake.

Alina

You didn't say one word. Not one.

Drew

I know. I'm saying it now. Come here.

The Veteran Who Shouldn't Want Me

Chapter 4 of 21

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Synopsis

I have a plan. Keep the boatyard running. Keep my hands steady. Keep Drew looking at me like I'm the best thing in his life. His family treats me like I belong, and I need that more than I say. Drew is warm. He forgets things. He says sorry with a kiss, then leaves me alone when his friends laugh. I tell myself his family's kindness is enough. Then his older brother comes home from the Navy. Callum is cold, quiet, and hard to look at. He acts like I'm a stain on the family dock. I want to hate him. I don't trust her. I don't want to notice her. But I do. He watches me when Drew doesn't. When I'm at my lowest, his contempt cracks, and I see something that scares me. I think he wants me too. I can't want him back.