Broken SEAL

Lincoln

“Well, everything looks great, Linc.”

“Thanks, Doc.” The shrink studied his file, and when his clear blue gaze met mine, I could feel the frown lines deepen over my brow.

“How did you like writing to Joy?”

“Joy?” I didn’t like the familiarity the doc had in his voice when he spoke her name.

“She’s the teacher heading this new group of pen pals.” He sat back, crossing his arms in front of him, pen in his left. “I was a little worried about her.”

“She’s… bubbly,” I noted. He barked out a deep sound of laughter, one I had never heard from the man since I’d arrived at the military hospital.

“That’s one way to describe her.” He grinned. “You guys still writing?” he asked. I jerked my head with a nod. “Yeah,” I grunted.

“Good.” He smiled and jotted something down. “Do you think…”

“What?” I asked, and there was something about the way he hesitated that didn’t sit well with me.

“Nothing. It’s silly. I shouldn’t.”

“No, ask, please.” I sat up, noticing how much easier every move seemed to feel now. I’d just been signed off by my physical therapist and doctors. My shrink was the last one who needed to sign off before I would be ready to return to my team.

“Do you think she was a good pen pal? Should she be trusted to… head another group?”

“Of course,” I answered immediately, without hesitation. “She’s funny and bright and persistent.” I swallowed hard, trying to bat away the jealousy I felt at thinking she would be writing some other poor fool. Laid up and hurt, he’d more than likely fall half in love with her by the second letter.

Like you did?a little voice chimed in my head. I scowled at the ground.

“Linc?” the doc called, and I met his stare head on. “Was something wrong with Miss Espinoza?”

“No.” I shook my head. “I was just thinking our letters will probably end now.” Shit, I hadn’t thought of that. How the hell hadn’t I thought of that? She would be moving on from her little community outreach project and on to her next one.

“They don’t need to necessarily.” He sat up. “You have some R&R coming up, isn’t that right?” he asked, reminding me of the time I had available.

“I do.” I swallowed. My mind raced a million miles an hour.

“Any plans?”

“Plans?” Originally, I’d planned on just getting back to work. I’d toyed with the idea of going back home, visiting my brother. But it’d been a fleeting thought. “Not really.” I cleared my throat.

“You know, Miss Espinoza’s a very short drive away,” he noted nonchalantly. “Maybe you could meet up for lunch one day?” he suggested as I ran my tongue over my teeth.

“Hmm,” I grunted. I didn’t like the good ol’ doc knowing so much about my girl. She’s not yours! a voice in my head shouted, and I scowled.

“What is it, Linc?” he asked. I rested both my hands atop of my head as I met his eyes.

“Shedoesn’t know what I look like,” I shared for some forsaken reason. I didn’t miss the way the Doc’s eyes widened before he schooled his features.

“Why not?”

“Because I don’t have a picture of myself,” I muttered. It was true but a lie at the same time.

“And do you know what Miss—"

“Yeah,” I cut him off. It rubbed me the wrong way when he said her name. I would have never guessed I’d have a jealous bone in my body. But I did. Just the thought of the doctor knowing so much about her made the blood in my veins heat up. “She’s beautiful.”

“Well…” His lips twitched. “Maybe asking her to dinner would be a good idea?”