Chapter 2

"I was going to say 'eligible men'," AJ retorted.

"I'm going to marry Harm, that's all there is to it," Mac insisted.

"I thought you always wanted the kind of marriage Bud and Harriett have! Why would you settle for a marriage without love?"

She just couldn't understand why he was persisting in this way. Why wouldn't he let it drop? It wasn't as if he cared! She was getting very upset with him, maybe that was why she let the truth slip out, "Because the man I love doesn't want me!"

Stunned, his heart dropped into his shoes. While he'd just been trying to talk her out of a loveless marriage there was still a glimmer of hope that someday she might consider him. But now to hear that there was someone she loved, he knew that could never be. Still he loved her enough to want her happiness even at the cost of his own, "What? Sarah, that's ridiculous! Any man would be a fool not to love you! Have you told him how you feel?"

"No! Of course not! A woman knows when a man is interested in her and there's no way I would embarrass us both by creating that kind of awkward situation."

"Really?! What's a bit of awkwardness or embarrassment against the possibility that he might return your feelings? I mean how do you really know he doesn't? I assume you're around him enough that you have to hide the way you feel about him?"

"Yes," she answered hesitant to reveal even that much.

"Does he have a clue how you feel about him?" AJ continued his interrogation.

Looking deeply into his eyes, she searched for her answer and after a moment, confidently told him, "No, he doesn't."

"So, if you're a good enough actress to keep your feelings for him a secret then, why couldn't the reverse be true?"

"Because I know him and I know he has no interest in me!" she retorted.

"Oh come on! Where is the brave Marine?! Why don't you go and tell him how you feel! Take the chance, what could it hurt?"

"I told you! I like and respect him too and if he doesn't return my feelings I could lose his friendship, which is all I have now!"

"Wouldn't knowing for sure be better than always wondering?" he goaded her. "And if he is stupid enough not to grasp the wonderful gift of your love with both hands, then you could still marry Harm and go off to London, that way you wouldn't have to face him."

"Why is this so important to you?" she demanded angrily.

"Because I want to see you happy!" he snapped, becoming quite agitated himself.

"Yeah, well you wouldn't be saying all this if you knew who it was!" Mac assured him with a glare.

"I just figured if it wasn't Harm you loved then it would have to be Webb, and although I think you're too good for him, what other reason would I have not to like it?"

"It isn't Clay!"

"Oh…Dalton is gone, so you wouldn't have to hide your feelings there, and since I don't think you've seen Farrow or Brumby in a while I'd say the same goes for them," AJ reasoned aloud, then after a pause he continued, "I guess it could be Gunny, with the differences in your ranks that could have been a problem in the past, but since he's working for the Company now that problem should be gone."

"It's not Gunny, or Farrow, or Mic."

"Who does that leave?" he muttered under his breath and then with wide eyes he asked, "Sturgis or Cresswell?"

She simply shook her head 'no', positive at that point that he would never guess himself. But then she saw the look of trepidation that quickly turned to horror and knew he knew. She died inside at the look on his face. Figuring out that she loved him horrified him! He was right, going to London so she would never have to face him again, suddenly was a very appealing prospect!

"Oh Sarah! I'm so sorry, I had no idea you felt that way! You do know that it's impossible don't you?"

"Yes!" she snapped. "That's why I didn't want to say anything!" She couldn't meet his eyes.

To be continued….