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"I’ relationship with the daughter of one of our dearest friends because of you"

Nate had irlfriend back home

"Yes, he did mention that I hope it hasn’t caused any problelad to be out of the relationship and that the girl--she didn’t reed to sohter sounded a bit strained "No proble’s fine I, uh, hear you’re a bit older than Nate"

This, too, had led to arguments between Nate and Rachel "Five years," she , Nate had see, and at thirty, Rachel had felt worlds older But Nate had eventually convinced her that those few yearsEvery now and then, she reh school, Nate had been in seventh grade

"Five years isn’t that ly "I didn’t knohat to think when Nate said you were older It would be just like him to arrive with a forty-year-old divorcée on his ars like that, you know? I swear, it’s just another way of defying his father and htly, as if a little embarrassed

"Did Nate tell you I’ up her occupation Might as well put it all out there

"You’re in the navy, too?" Patrice asked, sounding surprised

"No, I work in a salon and do hair and nails That kind of tech"

Silence Then, "Oh"

Her reaction told Rachel that Nate hadn’t said anything about it

Patrice recovered quickly "No, but that’s our Nate He likes to deliver his little surprises I’ernails"

"Thank you," Rachel ed "Perhaps I should pass the phone back to Nate"

"Yes, please"

Rachel gladly returned the cell phone, and while Nate ended the conversation, she started walking She needed to think about the eht to the surface She was afraid she’d made a terrible impression His mother’s attitude was clear and un her, Patrice Olsen had decided Rachel was an inappropriate choice for her only son

Nate caught up with her a few er talking on his cell

"Rachel, wait," he said, grabbing her shoulders "What didShe was very nice" Even as she spoke, Rachel’s stomach knotted "I can’t believe I let this happen," she whispered, covering her face with both hands Despite the inner voice that had warned her about the dangers of this relationship, she’d resisted Al officer wouldn’t work for either of theressman, for heaven’s sake!

"Rachel, tell me," he pleaded

"She had no idea that I’ to do with the navy" She hiccupped a laugh at the absurdity of such a comment His mother had to know about nail techs, but Rachel didn’t want to assume the comment had been deliberate Any e and his previous girlfriend hid so Mo for the cell clipped to his belt

"No, please, don’t" Her hand stopped hi"

"Then why are you upset?"

"I…I don’t belong in your world"

"Wrong," he declared "We belong together I knew it froh he couldn’t bear to stand still "This isn’t the first ti They feel this need to controlit happen I love you, Rachel Do you hear me?"

She stared at hi

"I love you," he repeated, "and furtherive a damn what my parents think about it The minute they meet you, they’ll love you, too, and if they don’t, then it’s their loss I won’t allow them to come between us"

She wanted to trust in the depth of their feelings, but while he ht now, at soe "Nate, please don’t It’d be best all the way round if we just ended this"

"No way! You aren’t doing this to ot to believe in us, Rach"

She did, and yet she was afraid

He drew her into his arled with her resolve "You can’t let every little roadblock dissuade you," he whispered