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“Hey! I think Derrick’s on deck!” Bouncing on her heels, she shoved the little gold binoculars at ht As the boat drew closer, I could see hi with other chiefs, proud and tall My own posture straightened,orry for the sailors on the slick deck as the sub was moved into position at the pier

The as down toon and on, each step closer to dise in slow motion My internal soundtrack was full of dra e ih, but there were sous were slim

An utterly adorable young couple got first-kiss honors, the wo Sabrina snap pictures and rave about the duo’s adorableness But for all their cuteness, they weren’t Derrick and et to my kiss, damn it

However, I tried to find so a tiny blue bundle Then finally more crew disembarked Not Derrick, not yet

“He’s co my sleeve

“I know, I know So, I looked down at ain, andToo new Too stiff

“No, I ht—”

“Here,” I breathed out as I looked up and all that waiting came to an end And noas here, and hilariously, I felt woefully unprepared for his presence

He was here, looking resplendent in his white unifor off his medals and ribbons He even sht whiff of in weeks The few tier, I’d been wistful and filled with longing But noas really Derrick right here in front of me, this very second, and I didn’t knohat to do or say first

He licked his lips, looking uncharacteristically uncertain He wasn’t s, and my nerves reached epic levels My inner soundtrack hit a warning note What if he’d changed his er meant—

“Hey”

“Hey,” I said back A+ communicator, Arthur Good job

“You caht in the heart Maybe he too was simply too overwhelmed to smile

“I did” I ed a smile or at least I hoped I did My faceto my brain

“I want to kiss you Can I kiss you? Please?” That he thought to add the please was adorable, and finally rinned broadly