“Not yet. Why don’t you take your things in first?” Felix suggested, then handed Madeline the keys before turning to me as they raced into the cabin. “You okay?”
“Yeah. I’m just...dazed.” I struggled for words as I watched the girls’ retreating forms. Two dads. That even more than the hints about Felix’s plans had me shaking my head. “Didn’t expect that. Bonus dad. Wow.”
“Sorry—” Felix started to apologize, but I held up a hand.
“Don’t be sorry.” I’d figured I’d have to earn that label with years of hard work, and even then it wasn’t a guarantee they’d ever see me as any sort of parental figure. That Charlotte so readily did was humbling. “It’s...special. I’m not sure...”
“If it’s too soon—”
“It’s not,” I assured him. Couldn’t have him thinking I had cold feet. No way was I missing out on this Christmas surprise of his. My own plans for a New Year’s proposal could be a celebration instead. I’d let him and the girls have their fun. “I just wanna be worthy of the title, you know? A dad. Wow.”
“Calder. You are most definitely worthy of the label. You’re putting in the work.”
“I try.” And not simply with things like watching them for Felix’s conference trip or while he did something with the theater group. I knew their teachers’ names and which classes were tough this year. I knew their therapist and activity schedules because I’d made the spreadsheet for Felix. And those things mattered to me. Being involved with the whole family, not only my boyfriend.
“I know you do.” Felix put his hand over mine on my thigh. “And I love you. They love you too.”
“I love you. All of you.” My voice came out all crackly. Undoubtedly, I was not going to survive whatever he had planned for the holiday.
“Then that’s what matters,” Felix said firmly as he leaned across the console to brush a kiss across my mouth. “Is it okay? The girls and I having something planned for Christmas, I mean. Maybe I should have talked to you first...”
Yup, it was totally a proposal and if I beamed any wider my face might split.
“It’s more than fine.” Not letting him retreat, I captured him for another quick kiss. “I’ve got plans too.”
I did. I planned on being around. That was the only plan that truly mattered. I planned on showing up, sticking it out, loving Felix as long as he’d let me.
“Good.” Felix kissed me in earnest, and I’d never felt more like a winner in my life. I loved him so fucking much. It was funny, how long and hard I’d chased that label. I’d wanted so badly to prove I was a success. But it turned out there were other labels I wanted more. Dad. Partner. Husband. And hustling for those titles was going to be my biggest score. And Felix was the key, the true prize, not one I could win, but one I could earn if I were truly lucky.
* * *
Author Note
Every time I undertake a new series, the research is one of my favorite parts. Here and in Sailor Proof, I’ve loved immersing myself in the world of submarines and what it’s like to serve on one. Even the titles stem from research into submarine jargon! I spent a lot of time on blogs, message boards, and with other firsthand accounts, but even as I tried for authenticity, certain liberties were taken for the sake of the story and ease of understanding. Notably, each injury is handled differently in the military, and Calder’s post-concussion job opportunities are not intended to be representative of how all injuries would be handled or how all lateral career moves would be addressed.
I wrote Sink or Swim while the quarantine for COVID-19 continued, and it was so nice to escape to a world without the virus where weddings and dates and travel were still possible. Accordingly, you won’t see mention of the virus or masks in the series, and that’s an intentional choice to provide readers with the same escape I so badly needed myself.
Acknowledgments
My amazing readers are the reason this series came to be. I asked what they wanted more of from me, and the overwhelming response was more military romance. Readers adored the Out of Uniform SEAL series and wanted more like that. After brainstorming with my team at Carina, I decided to go for a lighter military vibe, one with more time away from base. I also wanted to explore another elite job classification in the navy, and thus my submarine heroes for the Shore Leave series were born. So, thank you, readers, so much for loving my military romances and wanting more! Your support via social media, reviews, notes, shares, likes, and other means makes it possible for me to continue to write stories that mean the world to me, and I don’t take that for granted!
As with all my books, I am so grateful for the team supporting me, especially at Carina Press and the Knight Agency. Kerri Buckley at Carina had such early enthusiasm for this series idea and that made a huge difference. My editor, Deb Nemeth, is always the blend of support and critique that I need, and her encouragement means the world to me. My revisions were also assisted by invaluable beta comments from Abbie Nicole, Layla Noureddine, and Edie Danford. My behind-the-scenes team is also the best. My entire Carina Press team does an amazing job, and I am so very lucky to have all of them on board. A special thank-you to the tireless art department and publicity team and to the amazing narrators who bring my books to life for the audio market. A special thank-you to Abbie Nicole, who is the best PA I could ever ask for. I wrote this series during a difficult time for our family, and I am so grateful to my spouse and children for their support. My life is also immeasurably enriched by my friendships, especially those of my writer friends who keep me going with sprints, advice, guidance, and commiseration. I am so grateful for every person in my life who helps me do what I love.
A boss. His employee.
And a scandal that’s about to change everything...
Keep reading for an excerpt from Going Public by Hudson Lin, out from Carina Adores!
Chapter One
It was a dance Elvin did pretty much every day. A stack of dry cleaning balanced on one arm, a tray of Tim Hortons coffees in the other hand, dodging a stream of office workers speed walking through Toronto’s financial district. Elvin jogged across Lakeshore—careful not to spill any precious liquid gold—and slipped down a small side street.
The entrance to Ray’s condo building was discreet. Not one of those flashy things popping up all over the city announcing the status of their residents to passersby. No, Ray and his neighbors had no interest in publicizing their wealth. That was how much money they had.
Elvin used his elbow to hit the automatic-door button and slipped inside.
“Mr. Goh, good morning!” The security desk attendant greeted him.