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“I’m serious!”
“If you believe that, then I have a flying pig to sell you.”
“Ha ha, very funny,” Lydia muttered.
Her sister grinned at her which only made Lydia’s smile return. “Did he say what he wanted to do for the date?”
Lydia shook her head. “No, but that’s fine. I like surprises and Chet knows me well enough to pick something good.”
“Yeah, I can see that.”
They sat in silence for a while before Wren spoke up again. “How well do you know Chet?”
She shrugged. “As well as anyone after knowing him for almost a year, I suppose. He was friends with Jason before they started working. I know he doesn’t date much.”
“Have you asked him why?”
“No, and I don’t need to know. Just like I don’t tell him all the sordid details of my past relationships. I’d rather live in the here and now.”
Wren nodded thoughtfully. “I like that outlook. We should be judging people on who they are rather than what they’ve overcome.”
“I mean, it doesn’t hurt to know what they’ve overcome. You can’t tell me you’re not a culmination of all your past decisions.” Wren didn’t argue, but Lydia got the sense she also didn’t agree. When the quiet went on too long, Lydia changed the subject. “When are you going to start getting out there, hmm? I haven’t seen you go on a date in a while.”
Wren huffed. “Speak for yourself. How long was your dating fast?”
Lydia groaned. “Okay, point taken.” Their smiles returned and she climbed off the bed. “I’ll let you get back to your book. And when I know more about what Chet is planning, you’ll be the first to know.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Chet held the door to the restaurant open and motioned for Lydia to go in.
She smiled at him, but it wasn’t her usual smile. He recognized it. It was as awkward as his own. Their first date was supposed to be easy. They knew each other inside and out. So why was it as if he were doing this wrong?
“Thanks,” she murmured under her breath as she passed him. Her perfume hit him right in the face, making him crave holding her in a way that was definitely out of the realm of their current friendship.
While he’d wanted to hold her hand or slip his arm around her waist, he wasn’t sure how far she was willing to let this go. The last thing he wanted to do was mess this up. Where did it cross the line and where was it expected?
They strode up to the hostess stand. “Table for two.” He flashed Lydia a grin and was relieved to find her every bit as excited.
Lacey gave them a double take. Normally when they came here, they were both dressed down. The Steer House was by far the best restaurant in town, but it accepted all kinds of folks. From those dressed down to the fancier styles.
Today, he was sporting a suit, and Lydia had donned a nice dress. Lacey had picked up on the not-so-subtle differences. Her smile was slow and knowing. Then she winked at Lydia as she slipped by her. “Right this way.” Chet motioned for Lydia to take the lead, but remained close enough to make it clear what this was.
It wasn’t just about being friends anymore.
His hand fell to the small of her back. A charge pulsed between them at the contact. He could’ve sworn that she shivered at his touch, and he reveled in the power that offered him. Nothing beat it, his girl affected by him.
She glanced at him over her shoulder as they walked. Boy, he could drown in those eyes of hers. Even if tonight went sideways, he wouldn’t regret it for a single second. Heck, he couldn’t even regret that it took him this long to make his move. It was hard to be disappointed when his future lay before him.
“Here you are,” Lacey said, cheerful. “Your waitress will be around to get your drink orders soon. Until then, let me know if there’s anything I can do for you.”
Chet nodded his appreciation and pulled out Lydia’s chair. She paused a moment to meet his eyes then an adorable little laugh bubbled from her lips.
He leaned down so his lips nearly grazed her ear as he helped to push her chair closer to the table. “Are you laughing at me?”
She giggled again and shook her head. “No.”
“Sure sounds like it.” He kept it low, husky. It had brought shivers out of her before. And when she stilled, going rod straight in her seat, he’d hit his mark.
