"Hello?" 

I hesitated to answer my phone for a number I didn't know, but it was a local one and they had tried before to call me. Chances of it being a scam should be low, shouldn't it?

"Hello, is this Ms. Tanaka?"

"Yes, this is."

"Hi, I am a nurse practitioner at Kapiolani Cancer Center. We've been trying to reach you in regards to your ten year screening that is due. Well, overdue now. Can we schedule your CT scan?"

"I don't...I'm not at home right now. Can I call you back later?" I hesitantly asked.

The nurse exhaled. "It's not advised that we wait too long to do this Ms. Tanaka. Please do call us back as soon as you can. Your cancer was very aggressive."

I said the normal pleasantries, apologized again and hung up. Who was she telling?! I knew how aggressive it was. I had to live through it. And I still was in many aspects. Getting ovarian cancer when I was only 16 earned you a spot in the medical books, in its rare occurrences, it still baffled doctors. My dad had gotten me the best oncologist though available in San Diego and I was able to take drastic surgical intervention. 

You're not the same. Never can be.

Shutting off the thought valve, I glanced at Luca sitting in his Jeep, near mine. I was secretly glad I'd driven here instead of walking. A cloud always came over me when I had to confront the enemy...cancer. Even if it was 'past tense'. There simply was no such thing. It could come back. Luca was on his phone again and he didn't look happy. 

Deciding that space was better than walking back over to him, I waited. I could be patient. Hopefully, he wouldn't ask what my call was about. Though I was beginning to wonder about his. He was smiling as he talked. His dimples popped and he drummed on his steering wheel. Would a work call take this long? 

I was starting to have a bad feeling.

💋💋

"I'm sorry that took so long. I gotta get back out to the men in a bit." 

Luca stood by my door, his arms raised over his head, leaning in to the Jeep frame. The close proximity and the manner in which he was looking at me made my mind muddled. I wanted to pry a bit though. Something was nagging at me. 

"That's ok. Duty comes first, I get it. My dad was the same way. He'd leave the dinner table  often to take work calls." 

"Everything ok with you? I saw you on the phone as well." 

Crap. Deflect. 

"Yep, nothing important. Do you have to answer to anyone else besides that blonde sergeant? What was her name again?" I  slyly asked. 

Luca's face changed. It wasn't subtle either. His forearms flexed as he gripped the roof top of my Jeep. Had I struck a nerve? If so, why? 

"Sergeant Leer. And yes, I have to answer to the platoon commander." 

He spoke quickly and without eye contact. 'If a guy won't look you in the eye when telling you important things, that's a red flag Mila'. My dads voice again. The nagging feeling grew. 

"Leer. Strange name. Did you ever finish her bathroom renovations?" 

He glanced up at me, his eyes meeting mine. "Ah mostly. I'm not the best at plumbing...". 

I sighed. "I see." 

He must still be talking to her, going to her place. I didn't like that thought at all. Not when I'd seen the way she looked at him earlier...and how she'd looked at me. She clearly liked him. He had to know that. 

"Mila.." He breathed, leaning further into my Jeep. "I'd like to cook for you. What are you doing tomorrow night?" 

"I'm...I don't know. No plans. Are you free?" 

"Well I'm asking you aren't I?" He chuckled. 

He was close to me. Mere inches from my face. 

"Your place or mine?" I breathed out slowly. 

His eyes flicked to my lips, then back up to my eyes. My god, I wished he'd just kiss me. I could barely talk straight in the position he was in. 

"Yours. I love your place, and mine is just a junky apartment right outside of the base."

"O..ok." 

He leaned in and I closed my eyes, waiting for his delicious lips to capture mine. Then I felt him kiss softly by my temple. It started me and I moved slightly. 

"Do you like Italian?" He whispered, bringing his face back slowly from mine. 

I practically squeaked. "Who doesn't?" 

He gave me the biggest grin and stepped back from my door. 

"Good. How does seven sound?" 

I nodded. "Good." 

My mind was still fixated on his kiss, or lack thereof. This man was doing a number on me, and we weren't even dating. Or were we?

"I'll see you then!" 

He strode off with a wave, heading back to the beach and the training that was awaiting him. I sat still for a bit though. I needed to contemplate what was going on. I was obviously in lust with Luca. But I also felt something. I wouldn't be jealous otherwise. This was precisely what my heart wanted. A relationship. But my mind....well my mind said something otherwise. It was clawing at me, telling me to be careful, hurt would be just around the corner. It had happened before. 

And my cancer could come back. 

I need to get tested again. 

Sighing, I start the Jeep and back out of the parking lot. I should listen to my brain.

💋💋

On the drive back home, I passed by a car that I recognized. I squinted to see who was driving as the sun blasted my face full on. It was a tall blonde. Sergeant Leer. 

What is she doing? Going back to the beach? 

Good grief, I was being paranoid. There was more than one location in that direction, not just the beach where Luca was still training. I needed to get a grip. Almost home now, I turned down my street. Terry was outside. He was watering his front landscaping plants. I waved and pulled up to the curb by his yard. 

"Mila! Hey, you decided if you want to work this weekend on the boat?" He called out, eyes pleading.

He looked so hopeful that I caved. I couldn't say no, even against my better judgement.

"Yeah, I'll go out with you this weekend. Is it just one day?" 

He dropped his hose and walked to the spigot to turn it off. 

"One day, yeah. I never work on Sundays. That's my day to fish. Talk to God, drink beer and catch his creation." He smiled. 

I liked Terry. I could see why grandpa had picked him for a best friend. 

"How's it going here? Do you like it? I was thinking it would be far less stress for you to live here than San Diego." 

"I like it. It's a nice house, as you know, and grandpa left me more than I need..it's beautiful here." 

I wanted to ignore the stress comment. He must know about my cancer. Why wouldn't he? Grandpa no doubt shared that with him years ago. It was a pretty big deal in my family when it happened. 

"Yeah, he had his shit straight! Pardon my language." He said, grinning. "He loved you more than life. Any boys tried getting you yet?" 

I blushed. "Boys? Well...I..." 

"Is he a local? Or military?" 

I had his attention now. He folded his arms across his chest. 

"Well, he's a marine, but we aren't really dating. Just hanging out." 

"He respectful?" He asked, eyeing me. 

"Yes, he's very respectful. A gunny sergeant." 

Terry smiled and loosened his stance. For anyone else, this line of questioning would be too invasive, almost inappropriate. But to me, it was normal. My dad was this way my entire life, and so was grandpa. They liked to shelter me. Be my protectors. 

"Come to me if he ever isn't. I still know a lot of active duty..." 

"Ok. Thank you Terry." I laughed. 

I walked back to my vehicle and waved. "See you Saturday. I'm assuming crack of dawn?" 

"Same as before!" He said. 

Maybe going fishing again would be fine. I could control myself in front of more marines. I wouldn't let another Lex happen. No, Luca was enough. 

I parked under the car port and went inside. Thoughts of dinner tomorrow filled my mind. Luca cooking Italian, a glass of wine in my hand, watching him....it made me smile. He was pursuing me alright. Which felt nice. Though he still seemed aloof at times. I hoped to suggest I cook at his place next. I could make some sushi, or my favorite, beach tacos. He seemed to like the fish ones today. 

My phone interrupted my thoughts. I had another email. From the cancer center. Again.

They  won't stop until you schedule.

What was I afraid of? I was clean at the one year mark, the five year. I should just schedule it. But fear was my constant companion and I didn't want to face it. Not yet. I had to see where it was going with Luca first. 

I stuffed the thoughts aside and decided to shelf it, just temporarily. I could call in a few days. 

**This story is only found on Wattpad. If found on another site, it was stolen. Thank you for reading.💋**