Page 41 of Keeping a Warrior

Just then the music changed to a popular country line dance, and with a squeal, the woman put down her drink, grabbed Shane’s hand and dragged him onto the dance floor.

Rhys nudged her with his elbow, his eyes alight with challenge. “Shall we?”

“Oh, God, I have two left feet,” Devon protested, but she gamely followed him out there, and soon they were all moving in unison, tapping their toes, sliding, thumbs hooked in their front pockets. Rhys was fairly graceful for such a tall man, but Shane was a disaster. He bumped into people right and left, stepped on feet, his sheepish “I’m sorry” ringing out over and over again.

By the end of the song, even Matt was laughing at him, the tension eased for the moment.

Devon waved her hand in front of her sweaty, flushed face. “I need some air.”

Outside in the courtyard, the Arizona evening was balmy, the summer heat broken at last. People were sprawled about the conversation pits, and Devon headed with Rhys to the only available seat, a small couch. They sank down onto it, Rhys slinging his arm along the back to make room for her.

“You’re a good dancer,” he said, grinning. “Hidden talents.”

“Not really, but that was fun.”

Devon tried not think about how good Rhys smelled, tried not to look at the hint of skin revealed by his hiked-up T-shirt, the way his jeans pulled tight across his lap...

Stop it. He’s not ready for anything like that.

A server stopped to ask if they wanted something to drink. They both declined, and as she turned to hurry away, her boot heel caught on a rough patch of concrete, sending her tray of empty glasses crashing to the ground.

“Whoa.” Rhys patted Devon’s shoulder when she flinched, his big hand warm through the thin material of her blouse. “Can we get a warning next time? Combat vets here.”

Her laugh was a little shaky. “Seriously. I jump at loud noises all the time. It’s embarrassing.”

“Me, too.” Rhys’s hand lingered for just the briefest of instants before he returned it to the back of the couch. “There’s a reason I go grocery shopping in the middle of the night.”

Devon nodded, her skin still tingling from his touch. “Trash on the side of the road? Forget it. I don’t know how many times I’ve swerved and almost hit the car next to me.”

“I could tell you used to drive convoy by the way you followed Matt that night. Right on his bumper, moving when he did.” Rhys gave a mock shudder. “Scared the shit out of me on those downgrades.”

Chuckling, Devon stretched her legs out in front of her and crossed them at the ankle. “Yeah, I heard about it from him afterward, too. Said he had a headache from the glare of my headlights right on his ass.”

“You do what you gotta do, right?” They both fell silent, and then Rhys shook his head. “I can’t imagine the stress and hypervigilance it takes to drive in a convoy.”

“I don’t think it ever leaves you, either. I pretty much scare anyone who rides with me these days.”

“Yeah, well, don’t worry. I can take it.” Rhys’s eyes were warm with understanding as they looked into hers. “You know I’d ride with you anytime.”

They smiled at each other just as a flash went off, and Devon blinked through the spots dancing in front of her vision only to see Aaron waggling his phone at them. “My wife wants pictures so she can put faces to the names. Thanks, guys!” Shooting them an irrepressible grin, he moved on.

“His wife, Sarah, is something else,” Rhys said in an amused voice. “She and Lani—” He broke off.

“They’re friends?”

“Yeah. It’s been hard on all of us, because as much as you try not to put the people you care about in the middle of a breakup, well, it’s almost impossible not to.”

“I’m sorry.” She didn’t know what else to say.

“It is what it is.” He gave a toneless chuckle. “And it actually feels pretty good to not be so pathetic for a change. Who knew?”

“I definitely know what it’s like to take some control back. It does feel good.”

“If only I can keep it up.”

“Well, how about this? If you ever want to text her, text me instead. I’ll talk you out of it.” Devon was sort of half joking, but Rhys brightened immediately.

“That’s a great idea! What’s your number?” He dug his phone out of his pocket, and with a few quick flicks of his thumbs, Rhys entered her number in his contacts, then slung his arm along the back of the love seat again. “Thanks, Devon,” he said quietly. “I really do appreciate the support.”