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Her eyes widened. “No. I didn’t know you could have a company while in the Teams.”

“You can actually, you just have to get approval from your command. They make sure you aren’t giving away top-secret information or disparaging the Teams. Hell, this one guy, a great SEAL, was recently caught making porn with his wife and some other women. He’s probably going to lose his retirement.”

“Wow. That’s crazy. So, what’s your business?”

“I provide consulting to businesses. Basically, I teach entrepreneurs how to apply military leadership within their companies. We conduct team building activities, go over different methods to build support structures in their office, and teach effective communication strategies. Honestly, I loveit.”

She turned to face me. “That’s awesome, babe! You’re so ambitious . . . which I think is super sexy by the way. I can see why they would hire you. You were so great with me out on the “O” course. More encouraging than my own coaches.”

Her words invigorated me. Now was the time to ask her to meet my client. “Thanks, sweetheart. That means a lot to me. You know, I think it’s the type of business you would be great in. Clients would love to work with a Stanford grad Olympian. If you aren’t busy next Friday, I’m taking a potential client to dinner. Would you like to joinme?”

The second those words left my mouth, I wished I could retract them. In an instant, the expression on her face went from adoring to a suspicious.

Her voice lowered to almost a whisper. “Why? Why do you want me there?”

“Because I’m proud to be dating you. Because you are beautiful. Because we are a couple.”

“We aren’t a couple.” She rolled away from me and pulled the covers over her chest. “This is why you asked me out, right? You wanted to useme.”

“What? No. Of course not. I was attracted to you and impressed by your accomplishments.” Yes, I had initially pursued her with that intention, but I genuinely liked her. I wanted a future with her for fuck’ssake.

“Sure you were. This isn’t my first rodeo. I’ve been used before.”

“I’m not using you, Aria.” Fuck. Why was she reacting like this? Was it that wrong to want her to go with me to meet a new client?

A few minutes of awkward silence passed, so I nudged her. “Hey, I’m sorry I asked you. I didn’t think it would be a big deal. You don’t have to go if you don’t wantto.”

“I’m just tired. Good night, Erik.”

She didn’t even turn around to give me a good night kiss. I decided to let it go and try to get some sleep, but I was becoming increasingly frustrated with her moods. What was she holding back from me? She was blowing hot and cold, and it was driving me insane.

But I refused to give up. I couldn’t shake the feeling that Aria was the one for me, even if she didn’t see me as herman.