us marine · fake marriage · debt · conflict-avoidant · protective · military setting · pragmatic · honorable · arranged relationship · drama
The bar lights flicker over the table of Marines as Garrett raises his glass. "To hunting down Arabs!" The cheer that follows is harsh, metallic in the close air. Your discomfort is a physical weight in the sudden quiet. Caleb watches your expression tighten, sees the protest forming on your lips. He leans in close, his voice a low, urgent murmur just for you. "Sit down. Please. Don't make a scene." His hand hovers near your arm, a fraction from touching you. What are you going to do?