The St Patrick Series Book #1: The St Patrick Bride

Chapter Seventeen: The Plan

Christopher's POV
I never get a chance to nod off. The so called boring desk job is tideous. It's like I never leave the base and I decided it's best to go ahead and just live here. The best part about living on the base is that I can work as long as I need to without worrying about the time. Immersing myself in work keeps my mind off Court.

The scene I saw in DC still haunts me. It angers me and at the same time pushes me to consider the option of going with what my mom wants... Allegra. She won't stop gushing about the girl. She's full of praises about her. I wonder what she would have thought of Court.

I set the cup of tea in front of her.

"It's so... basic."

One if the reasons I love Court is that she's not the typical rich girl. Court is easygoing. She does not demand nice things. On an army salary, I can't satisfy the needs of a rich girl. I like to count myself more fortunate than the rest of the men here at base because I have the St Patrick Group to fall back on should things in the army not work out.

My eyes scanned the small living quarters. It's an apartment with one bedroom, a kitchenette, bathroom and living room. The loft is three times bigger but space doesn't matter to me. As long as I have somewhere to rest my head, I'm good. In fact I'm disappointed that they refused to let me share a room. This is the least they could offer. There were options for a bigger home but I don't like living in large spaces.

"It's sufficient." I looked into her soft blue eyes. "So... How did you meet my mother?"

"My mother introduced me to your mother." The typical set up! Moms meet and talk about their children. The subject of who is still single comes up. My mother loves to talk about me. She has a lot of colorful stories that not only embarrass me but make moms wish I could marry their daughters.

"Did she tell you the story of how she thought I was girl when she was pregnant?"

Allegra laughed softly. It was a quiet little laugh. Court's laughter is mean, loud and irritating but I love that laugh. I can't help but draw comparisons. Allegra is just too well put together for my taste. Frank and Henrik like girls that are well out together like this. Proper and we'll behaved. It's not my taste. I like the real deal. Let's just out all our faults on the table and deal with it. I'm that kind of guy. No perfection allowed.

"It was funny. Chrissie."

"Don't call me that though. I don't like it." Only the Major, Tommy and mom can get away with it. I'll never tell Court.

"Okay, I won't."

Come on woman! Be a little rebellious. I'm bored already but I promised ma I would try. I tapped my fingers on the table staring at her. She stared right back not shying away from my gaze. "What do you want out of this?"

"I'm not sure yet but my mom expects to wear a dress she already got when she becomes mother of the bride. What about you Christopher? What do you want out of this?"

Absolutely nothing.

I drew circles on the table with my finger. "Marriage by arrangement is not my style but sometimes it works. Let's just take it slow and see where it goes."

"Not a snail's pace." She smiled at me.

What I would give to be deployed at this moment so that I can get away from this. I'll sell my soul to be in the middle of a warzone with bombs exploding all around me than to be a participant in this game of cupid ma is playing. "We will see." I gave her a small smile.

I looked at the time on my watch. It's getting late. "I'll take you back."

"Can't I stay the night?"

"No."