The Veteran Who Shouldn't Want Me

Alina pauses in the kitchen doorway with plates in her arms and looks back at Callum.

I stood in the doorway with the plates in my arms and looked back.

Callum was still watching me. He had not stopped.

If he wanted nothing to do with me, why did he watch me like that?

The Veteran Who Shouldn't Want Me

Chapter 5 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.