As they walked out of the O-Club later that night, the cool air of the base hitting them, Briar felt a strange sense of peace. The town’s gossip felt small and insignificant now. The "pity" she had feared from Mrs. Gable seemed like a distant, childish thing compared to the iron-clad respect of the men in that room.
"You okay?" Victor asked as they reached the SUV. He didn't let go of her hand, his thumb tracing the knuckles of her fingers with a rhythmic, grounding pressure. His eyes were soft, searching hers for any sign that the night had been too much.
Briar leaned her back against the cool metal of the passenger door, taking a long, bracing breath of the night air. The scent of jet fuel and pine needles was a stark contrast to the heavy mahogany atmosphere of the Club.
"I think I
