Page 50 of The Friendship Pact

“Listen, Nick,” Kate placed her hand on his arm. “I can walk home after dinner. I did not know you were coming. Paige made it sound like it was a girls’ outing when she picked me up.”

Nick laughed. “Funny, Ethan made it sound like it was a guys’ outing. No worries. Ride back with me and I’ll take you home. Come on, let’s head inside.”

The Eagle’s Nest was busy for a weeknight. Most of the barstools were occupied, and the waitresses carried large trays of food from the kitchen. Music from the jukebox played a country ballad as their group of eight commandeered a large table near the bar.

“What can I get you to drink, Kate?” Owen asked.

“Water with lemon.”

“You sure?”

“Positive. I consumed more than enough alcohol last night. I don’t even remember getting home.”

Owen’s mouth quirked at the corner, then he walked to the bar.

Kate leaned in close to Nick. “Tell me I didn’t embarrass myself last night.”

“Nope. You were cute.”

“Cute?”

“Nothing embarrassing. You don’t remember me bringing you home?”

Kate bit her lip nervously. “I don’t. Not really. I remember you strapped me into my seat belt, but after that, I must have fallen asleep.”

Nick shifted slightly, his leg resting next to hers. Her breath hitched. She’d been straddling him on the snowmobile for the past few hours, but that hadn’t felt as personal as the touch and closeness she felt now in the low light of the tavern.

“You did. Instantly,” he whispered close to her ear. His breath was hot and minty. Her insides clenched.

“Oh no, did you have to carry me into my house?”

The quirk of his lip said it all. Kate didn’t remember that part, but she’d woken enough when he set her on the bed to remember him looking down on her. She had pulled him in and kissed him. She remembered the taste of him, the woodsy scent, and his smoldering eyes. She remembered her hips thrust forward as he kissed her back.

She swallowed down the erotic thoughts bubbling to the surface. “Thank you.”

Nick shrugged. “That’s what friends do.”

Did she still want to be only friends? she asked herself. When he’d set her on the bed, they hadn’t held back. The problem was, she didn’t remember him leaving. Waking up clothed the next morning, she had talked herself out of what happened. Except she knew it wasn’t only a dream. Mortified by her lack of control, she went on pretending. Probably for the best. He clearly wanted to stay friends.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Nick pulled open the door to the Eagle’s Nest and stepped inside the tavern. “Hey, Cole.”

Cole spun on his barstool. “Thanks for meeting me here, Nick. I know you prefer not to meet at the bar, but I didn’t want to cook, and I had to get away from work.”

“Not a problem.”

Spencer, the owner and bartender of the Eagle’s Nest, slid a cardboard coaster in front of Nick, along with a menu. “What can I get you, Sheriff?”

“Seltzer with lime. Thanks, Spencer.”

Nick picked up the menu. “Have you ordered yet?”

“Nope. Waiting for you.”

Two county snowplow drivers walked in and greeted them. “Sheriff. Cole.”

“Hey, Charlie. How are things looking out there?” Nick asked.