What Part of Marine Don't You Understand? (The Challenge Series) by Heather Long

his mother in the recent weeks. They talked by phone every other day or so. While the chats had begun as stilted, they’d relaxed into them faster with each opportunity.
    His mom had some pretty good ideas about what used to interest Matt and they compared notes. Engineering fascinated him in high school, but putting it aside, he’d enlisted. It was definitely time to dust off the old ideas and explore them.
    “I don’t imagine you can take a full course load through distance learning for engineering.” James’ tone asked for caution, but Matt waved it away. He’d thought about that.
    “I know, but most of the core courses for the basic part of the degree—English, history, math—those I can do. I can also brush up on language skills. It’s amazing what they have in the course catalog. That also gives me time to work on my issues and be ready for on-site instruction in a few months.” He was leagues ahead in his progress. By next semester, he’d be ready to go on campus.
    “We can’t put a time table on this….”
    “Doc, it’s good. I know. We have to take each day one step at a time, we have to talk this through, and I have to remember without reliving. I’m doing great. These daily sessions, my workouts, Nao—” He coughed. He hadn’t planned to shake the cat out of the bag. The chances of diverting Doc’s attention were pretty slim.
    “I heard you were spending time with Naomi Sparks.” No censure seasoned the statement, just an observation.
    “I didn’t know you were a fan of gossip.” Other than Logan, he hadn’t mentioned Naomi to anyone. He paused to consider that. Well, Damon asked when he called him about the lunch and Jazz gave him a high five at physical therapy. They were the only people he’d told and of the three, only Logan knew of his actual interest.
    “I’m not, but women talk.” At his blank look, James continued. “Jazz and Lauren are friends.”
    “Oh.” He shifted forward and rested his elbows on his knees. Jethro lay sprawled on the carpet between them. The dog glanced up, but when Matt stayed seated, he set his head down again. Matt wasn’t certain how to respond to the Lauren comment. He liked James’ lady. Their quiet engagement the previous month had to be the worst kept secret on the campus, but everyone held the line because they didn’t want to spoil whatever surprise the couple planned.
    “You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to. You’re still allowed a private life, Matt.” James gave him a graceful out, but he didn’t really deserve it.
    “No, it’s cool. I just—I kept it quiet because I didn’t really know where it was leading and I….” He sighed, wincing. “I didn’t want you to tell me I’m not ready.”
    “Do you think you might not be ready?”
    Yeah, and hadn’t he walked right into that question. Tension knotted between his shoulder blades, but he didn’t shy away from it. “I don’t know.”
    “Okay. What do you know?”
    “I like her. She’s funny, she’s sweet as hell and she’s pretty. I like how I feel when I’m with her.” The corner of his mouth curved. “I like how I feel when I think about her.”
    “How does she feel about you?”
    “She hasn’t kicked me to the curb yet.” And she hadn’t wanted him to leave the night before, either. He might be rusty on the whole dating idea, but when he kissed her—she responded. God, she went up in flames in his arms, and he’d wanted to go right back into that apartment. But they weren’t there yet, and he hesitated to push faster than the kiss.
    Hell—the kiss had been pushing it, but he was ready to test that envelope again later that day.
    “Where did you meet?”
    “Jethro.” Matt grinned down at him. Best damn dog in the world. He hoped the owners didn’t return any time soon, he didn’t want to turn him over. “Took him out for a walk and she sat there, playing her guitar in the park.”
    “So you met a girl in the park?” The