She shut her textbook and sighed, letting it rest on her stomach as she gazed at the ceiling.

A few hours of reading hadn't been enough to chase away the thoughts swirling in her mind.

How he'd looked at her with that quiet, intense gaze, the challenge that seemed to flicker in his eyes. She wondered why he didn't want her to cross his 'imaginary' line he had drawn from her.

Why would he say like that?

It only made her more curious.

Unable to help herself, she picked up her phone and typed "British special operations" into the search bar. Her heart thudded as the results loaded, and one term caught her eye: SAS.

The link she clicked took her to an article that almost sounded right of his role.

The Special Air Service, or SAS, was described as one of the most elite military units in the world.

Covert operations, counterterrorism, and high-risk rescues were all carried out with a level of secrecy that bordered on myth. The operatives were like shadows, their names and missions shrouded in classified silence. Intrigue battled with frustration in her chest.

She craved to know more but felt that no matter how deep she dug, she'd only be scratching the surface of his world. The part of him hidden behind the lock and key.

The front door creaked open, and Charlie sat up as Hailey stepped in, her heels clicking against the floor. She kicked them off with a sigh and noticed her.

"Hey! You're back," Hailey said, raising an eyebrow. "Weren't you out with Mr. Mystery?"

"Yeah," Charlie said. "We had a morning date. It was nice."

"Nice? As in, good nice or boring nice?" Hailey teased, her eyes sparkling.

Charlie giggled, trying and failing to keep a straight face. "Good nice."

"Spill!" Hailey demanded, dropping onto the couch beside her.

"We went fishing," Charlie explained. "I caught two, and John got assaulted by this huge fish. I was a witness, and it was funny."

Hailey stared at her, blinking twice before snickering. "Be for real."

"I am," Charlie said with a straight face—and failed, bursting into laughter.

"Wow, it's a miracle you didn't fall into the lake, but a fish that beat John? I'm disappointed," Hailey said, her tone dripping with mockery. She was eager to see how her date would defend himself against the creature.

"But that's not all," Charlie continued. "After we fished, we ate breakfast, and he said things that made me think. And his job—he's in 'special operations,' and I did some digging, but it's all vague."

"Hold up." Her eyebrows shot up. "SAS? Special Air Service? Do you mean that?"

"I think so," Charlie said, her brows knitting together with her expression.

There was a brief silence before Hailey let out a low whistle.

"Hot damn. He's in SAS? Charlie, those guys are like... the top of the top! Like James Bond without the flashy cars. They're trained to handle anything dangerous." Hailey said while her eyes beamed by shock and amazement.

Charlie blinked. "How do you know this?"

"My cousins," Hailey explained, leaning back with her arms crossed. "They did their time in the SAS before deciding it wasn't for them. The job is high stakes and high stress. One day you're at home, and the next, you're on a plane to who-knows-where for a mission that could take hours, days... or weeks or months to be stationed."

"Huh," Charlie nodded slowly. "Then tell me this: He thinks I was looking for money and sex but I told him that I wasn't, and I wanted to get to know him. Do you think he's looking for something more than friendly date or casual?"

"Sounds like he's straight with you," she said, giving her a sly grin. "Let me guess—he's testing the waters, seeing if you'd pick up on it?"

"Meaning?" She frowned.

Hailey scoffed and roll eyes at her. "Charlie, in translation, he's not taking any shit from anyone. He older than you and he doesn't want games either. It's either you in or out. No gray zone."

Her eyes widened before her cheeks turned crimson.

"You mean...?"

"Yeah," Hailey confirmed with a giggle. "Guys like him, they don't waste time. They can't afford to. If he's opening up. He's testing if you're the one for him."

Charlie stared at her, but her mind replaying the moments with John. She'd sensed something about him that speaks louder than a word. The subtle smirks, the glances, and the way he'd lean in just close enough to make her heart pound, like today.

"Is that what he wants?"

"From what you've told me," Hailey said with a casual shrug. "Think about it—he's a soldier. His job? That's not something he gets to talk about, like, ever. But he sees you as someone who can help him destress and someone to connect with."

"I don't think so," she said, shaking her head. "It's too soon."

"Why not?" It was now Hailey's turn to frown.

"Because... I don't know if... I'm the type who would jump into something I'm not ready. I mean, I barely knew him!" Charlie said firmly.

"Hey, no one's saying you should," Hailey said with her tone steady. "I'm just decoding his signals. But, if you want my two cents? He might be worth the gamble. It's like he's waiting for you to take off your gloves and get dirty."

She scrunched her nose, an involuntary shiver running through her as memories of his eyes—those intense glance—came back to her. His voice, smooth and deep, still echoed in her ears, laced with that sharp British accent that always sent her pulse racing.

"I met him yesterday," she said, "but my grandma Hazel always said, 'If a man really wants you, he'll pursue you no matter the odds.'"

Hailey rolled her eyes, a playful scoff escaping her. "Girl, that's so old school. Guys these days don't line up with rings in hand."

"But he's not like those other guys," Charlie insisted.

"You're right, John isn't like those other guys," Hailey said incredulously. "He's a SAS operative, for Pete's sake! He's probably seen and done things we wouldn't dream of it. But let me ask you this: How do you feel when you're with him? It's been two days, yes. But tell me the truth, what do you think of him?"

Charlie didn't answer right away. She let her mind drift back to every moment charged with his boyish grin, easy confidence, and his glances. Her heart beat a little faster just thinking about it.

"He's decent. I won't deny that he's good looking and I feel... safe, for some reason," she admitted, almost surprised by her own honesty. "Like he sees right through me, but in a good way."

"Why not give it a try? You might be surprised by how much you have in common if you actually... you know." She winked playfully, causing Charlie to blush even deeper and frown.

"Thanks, but I'm good with kissing and holding hands."

Hailey groaned dramatically and slumped back into the couch, eyes rolling to the ceiling. "Ugh, you're such a prude, you know that?"

"It's not prudish!" Charlie shot back. "I just... I never slept with anyone like you did!"

"True. But, newsflash, guys don't like waiting," Hailey said, the edge of her smile tinged with disbelief. "If he's dead on with you, do it."

"I rather have him make a move than I would. I'll be a coward, hiding in the corner with my tail in between my legs," Charlie said in a matter of fact tone.

Hailey stared at her, half-amused, half envious.

"Girl, I don't know what else to say about your dilemma. But, you're a poor old soul who has been sheltered all your life."

"I may be but what if I can't handle his lifestyle? What if I'm not cut out for the whole 'James Bond' thing?"

She shook her head and sighed. "Charlie, you're smart and cute. But, when it comes to dating, you pretty much overthink everything. Like, for real. Stop and relax. If John likes you, he'll text you. And if anyone can handle him and whatever wild world he comes from, it'd be you and nobody else."

Charlie felt a warmth spread through her at her rare words of encouragement.

Despite their differing views on just about everything, Hailey wasn't wrong.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed, and Charlie glanced down of her phone screen. She held her breath when she saw the name.

John: Had a good time today. Let's do it again yeah?

A thrill shot through her, lightening her up from the inside. A shy smile ghosting her lips as she reread the message. She typed quickly, fingers pausing as she picked her words carefully.

Charlie: I had a great time too. Thanks for the breakfast. Didn't realize fishing could be fun 😉

She hit send, feeling a small thrill as she imagined him reading her reply. The message was flirty without indifference. A few seconds passed, her phone buzzed again.

John: There's plenty more where that came from. Next time, I'll show you something you don't expect.

Heat rushed to her cheeks as she recalled their teasing conversation. His words felt like a quiet promise, laced with mystery and an edge that only made her more curious. She pushed down her nerves and replied.

Charlie: I'll hold you to that, Mr. Mystery.

Her phone buzzed again, and she could almost hear his voice, smooth and deep in her mind.

John: Careful, Charlie. I'm counting on it.

She jumped when she realized Hailey was reading over her shoulder, a devilish smirk playing on her lips.

"Hailey! Privacy, please?" Charlie said, swatting at her.

"Oh, he's good," Hailey said, ignoring her scowl. "And judging by the look on your face, I'd say it's working."

Charlie huffed, giving an exaggerated eye roll. But no amount of teasing could hide the grin she wore as she tapped out her next message and pressed send.

———

Thank you for reading this chapter!

It's always exciting to dive into Charlie's thoughts and explore her budding feelings for John. If you're totally in their dynamic as I am, don't forget to stay tuned—new chapters drop every Friday (and maybe a bonus one on Wednesday if I'm feeling generous). Your support means everything to me, and I love hearing your thoughts!

Do you agree with Hailey's take that John is testing the waters, or do you think he's already all in but careful?

What would you have texted back if you were in Charlie's shoes, especially after John's flirty texts?

If you were Charlie, how would you handle the pressure of dating someone with such a mysterious or dangerous lifestyle?