In the Arms of a Soldier Read Free

Tom, who Lexie was now married to, through Rob.  They’d played college lacrosse together and were still always spending their weekends doing something athletic.  They’d gone bungee jumping a couple of months ago, but that was something I’d never, ever attempt.  Josh would have been game had he been around.  He probably even would have tried to convince me to join in on the “fun,” but leaping to my potential death wasn’t something that appealed to me.  Besides, I’d seen one too many accidents in the emergency room to even consider activities that I deemed reckless.
    Lexie and Rob hadn’t started dating until after college, when I was in med school.  They’d gotten married a couple of years ago and recently had a baby girl.  They weren’t able to get out as much anymore for obvious reasons, so I was thrilled they’d found a babysitter for their daughter so they could be here for Josh’s return home.  Our nights out together were getting fewer and farther between now that we were older, but I hoped we wouldn’t ever drift completely apart.  It was hard to predict something like that though since I was still single and had no idea what the future would hold.
    “So, did you meet any women over there?” Rob joked.
    “Right, like I had time for that.  I’m just happy to be back.”
    “That’s cool; I know you only have eyes for one lady.”
    His eyes briefly darted over to me, and I flashed him a curious look before he turned back to Josh.  If Josh was uncomfortable with Rob’s insinuation, he didn’t show any sign of it.  Maybe he couldn’t hear Rob over the loud music or just didn’t notice.  I thought it was a little strange of Rob to say anything at all since we’d all been friends for years, but Rob already had a few drinks in him.  He probably just thought he was being funny.
    “Can I get you guys anything else?” the bartender called out, shouting to be heard above the crowd.
    “A Corona,” I called back, pointing at Josh’s beer in case the bartender couldn’t hear me.
    “Not for me,” Allie said, leaning closer to Rob.  He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pul led her close to him as he bent down to whisper something in her ear.  Thankfully they’d taken a cab over to the bar, because she was looking like she’d had plenty to drink as well.  The bartender handed me a beer, and I turned toward my other friends since Allie and Rob now seemed to be engaged in some quiet couple talk.
    “How long was your flight back?” Lexie asked Josh.
    “Way too long.  Between layovers and changing planes, I’d say 24 hours.”
    She cringed.  “I’m getting used to no sleep with a newborn at home, but that just sounds painful.”
    “How’s she sleeping now anyway?” I asked.  Lexie had been telling me the other day that her daughter was up for feedings every two hours.  I didn’t know much about kids and knew even less about babies, but that was certainly enough to make me want to hold off on having any children for a long, long time.  It was hard enough putting in twelve-hour shifts at the hospital all the time.  I had no idea how I’d manage that plus a newborn.  Fortunately, since Mike and I had broken up, it’s not like I had to worry about that anytime soon.  There was the whole meeting a new guy, dating, getting engaged, and finally getting married thing that needed to come first.  At least for me—I knew some people were fine with less traditional routes.  Having to worry about taking care of a family was definitely something years down the road for me.
    “God, I still can’t believe you two are parents now,” Josh said with an easy grin.  “I have enough trouble taking care of myself most days.”
    “It’s a life-changer, that’s for sure,” Lexie said with a smile.
    “What is?” Tom asked, turning back to our conversation.
    “Having a baby.”
    He laughed.  “Yeah, don’t let our coming out tonight fool you.  It’s been months and