The Soldier's Twin Surprise. Judy Duarte

At least in bed. And before reality struck, she’d been ruing the thought of going back to her barracks and him flying back to Texas. But this was different. Worse.

      So close, yet so far away.

      She managed an unaffected smile. “I guess I’ll see you around.”

      He stood in the center of the room for a couple of beats, as if he was struggling with reality and ethics and everything else. “Take care.”

      “You, too.” Rickie watched him walk toward the door.

      While it was possible they’d run into each other again, she hoped not. It would be awkward at best. Not to mention disappointing.

      But an officer fraternizing with an enlisted soldier was against Army regulations, and since she wasn’t about to make any changes to her career plan, their short-term affair was officially over. Wham, bam, thank you...sir.