Serendipity 》Mickey Garcia

Chapter 1

Nadia and Ivy had finished up for the day and gone home. Each had their own place but occasionally stayed with the other.

Nadia had just finished heating up some leftovers to eat for dinner when she got a call. And it was none other than her pseudo brother, Lex Marin.

“I'm about to start eating. This had better be good,” she threatened.

A laugh was heard from the other end of the line. “What, no hello?”

She simply raised an eyebrow, face unimpressed. “I'm hungry. You know what I do when you get between me and my food.”

On the other side of the phone, Lex shakes his head. “I'm in town and wanted to catch up. Meet me at the Hard Deck? Or do you want me to pick you up?”

“I'll meet you there. Give me 30 minutes, I actually want to eat my dinner.”

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Arriving at the bar, Nadia took a breath before entering. Some days, she's good with crowds. Other days, she wants nothing to do with anyone.

But she walked through the door, heading straight to the bar to greet Penny. She smiles at the woman who immediately gets Nadia's usual ready. The bar was a bit full for a conversation, so they had that silent talk with their eyes and left it at that.

Nadia grabs a table, observing the others in the bar as she waits for Lex. Luckily, she doesn't have to wait long.

“Na-No!”

Nadia immediately turns around with a wicked glare on his face. It doesn't affect Lex in any way, having grown used to that look, especially with his little nickname for her.

“Now, don't give me that look. I know you're happy to see me,” he chides, smiling as he moves towards her.

She still gives him a hug despite the glare. “You know I hate that nickname, Lex.”

He gives her a squeeze, just to annoy her a little more. “That's why I say it.”

Nadia shakes her head, still resting against Lex. Finally, she released the man. “Go get your drink, I'm not going anywhere.”

Lex saluted her and then went up to the bar. He ends up next to a man in a Navy khaki uniform, the name ‘Hangman’ clearly displayed.

"Penny, my dear, I'll have 4 more on the old timer," Hangman says up at the bar, looking straight at the older man, wearing a bomber jacket. (Apparently, he put his phone on the bar, a big no-no for Penny.)

Lex was quick to get his drink and head back to his table. Nadia gestured to the clear group of Navy personnel in the bar. “Didn't feel like wearing your uniform?”

He shook his head. “I like when I can observe people without them trying to observe me as well.”

Nadia gave him a look. “Thank you for that incredibly clear answer.”

He shrugged. “I was recalled to Top Gun. For what, I have no idea. But they were all clearly called up as well.”

Nadia nodded. Obviously, she knew about the mission. Her boss had told her just that day. But she didn't know Lex was recalled for it as well.

“Didn't want your other teammates to know who you are?”

Lex took a swig of his drink. “As you can see, I'm younger than all of them. I graduated not too long ago, so I'm the freshest meat in terms of Top Gun. I'd like to see how they act without them knowing I'm also part of this assignment.”