Back in the Soldier's Arms by Soraya Lane, Karina Bliss

around herself. “That would be great,” she said honestly. Her stomach rumbled in agreement.
    “Waffles still your favorite?”
    She closed her eyes and leaned back for a beat. “Yeah, they are.”
    And they were only her favorite because Daniel had made them for her every Sunday since they’d been together, whenever they were both off-duty at home.
    “Do you remember the first time I made you waffles?” he asked, voice low, almost hoarse.
    Penny nodded, fighting the smile that so desperately wanted to escape to trace her lips.
    She remembered, all right. How could she ever forget?
    “It was the first morning we’d woken up together,” she remembered out loud. “I stayed tucked up in bed while you went out to the store.”
    Daniel leaned against the wall, his eyes never leaving hers. It was as if he was caressing her with his gaze, with his memories. His face showed an openness and warmth that she couldn’t turn away from.
    “I made you waffles with maple syrup.”
    “With strawberries, melon and blueberries on the side,” she finished, too carried away with the memories to stop.
    “We had a pot of coffee and we sat out in the sun, talking about everything and anything.”
    Penny didn’t know what to say. Or where to look.
    Daniel was still watching her, conveying so much feeling in his gaze that she could feel a slithering-snake kind of nervousness building in her belly.
    “Are you coming?” Gabby called at the top of her lungs.
    They continued to stare at one another in silence.
    Until Daniel broke the quiet that had fallen around them.
    “Yeah, in a sec, honey.”
    Penny folded the sheet beneath her forefinger and thumb. The air around them seemed limited, like there wasn’t enough of it in the room to service both their lungs.
    “We should go,” she said.
    Daniel hesitated, before sighing and tightening his grip on the bike. “Yeah.”
    “Give me a couple of minutes and I’ll be right out.”
    Daniel turned, before stopping, the rise then fall of his shoulders signaling there was something left he wanted to say. That he had something else on his mind.
    “We had some great times, Penny.”
    She nodded, even though he couldn’t see her. His back was still turned.
    “The best,” she whispered.
    And they were memories she’d never be able to let go of for as long as she lived.
    The house was full of guests before Penny had had time to catch her breath. Other little kids, friends she hadn’t seen in far too long and Daniel’s family.
    “Pen!”
    She spun and found herself in the arms of one of her closest friends. “Sammi! It’s been way too long.” They hugged tight.
    “You look great. You know, for being in the desert so long.”
    Penny laughed. “Yeah, well, there’s something to be said for being out in the open all day.”
    Sammi kept her tight against her, arm wrapped around her shoulders.
    “How are you, really?” her friend asked.
    Penny dropped her head to rest on Sammi’s shoulder. “Really?” she asked, sighing. “I’m coping, but it’s hard. I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
    Sammi didn’t say anything back, she didn’t need to. They’d been friends long enough to just be.
    “We’re here for you. Don’t you ever forget that, okay?”
    Penny snuggled closer into her shoulder, then raised her head. “You’re the best.” “Who’s the best?”
    Gabby poked her head between them.
    “Hey, birthday girl!” Penny grabbed hold of her hands and gave her an impromptu twirl. “You been showing off that shiny new bike?”
    Gabby bounced on the spot like only an exuberant child can.
    “Yeah. The boys are way jealous.” Penny and Sammi both laughed.
    “I’m going to go help your dad in the kitchen. Why don’t you go play?”
    “Is it almost cake time?”
    Penny ruffled her hair then gave her a gentle push away. “Almost. Now go have fun.”
    Sammi squeezed her hand before she walked away.
    “You’re the strongest person I know, Pen. You will get