“You’re making a phone call?Now?”She’s pissed off.
I put my finger in the air.“I’m doing what you told me to do.Hold on a sec.”The private investigator my brothers and I use for StellaR Tech answers on the second ring.I tell him what I need, and he tells me no problem.The entire conversation takes less than a minute.
“What was that about?”
“Work smarter, not harder, Miss Stevens.We’re getting nowhere, so I called our investigations contractor, as you suggested hours ago.I should have listened to you.They have a couple men in Las Vegas, and if anyone can track down Evander and Phoebe, it’s them.”
“You should always listen to me.”Summer stands still for a moment and bites her lower lip.I expect her to continue arguing with me, but I see how tired she is.She’s had a long day.Hijacking jets takes a lot out of a girl.Not to mention the airsickness and then the pointless wandering all over Las Vegas for two people who probably aren’t even here and don’t deserve to have their privacy interfered with.
I haven’t seen Summer eat anything all day, and I’m not sure she’s had anything to drink either.Standing in the middle of the casino with her teeth biting her lip, she looks worried and overwhelmed.I’ve never seen her like this.
Because I’ve never seen her so completely out of her element.
My heart lurches.I hate that she seems so lost.
I clench my fist at my side, stopping myself from touching the soft skin of her cheek.Sometimes I want to wrap Summer in my arms and just take care of her, protect her, and treasure her.But I know she would never allow that.
She’d kick me in the ’nads if I even tried.
“I promised we would look for them,” she says softly, concern etching her face.
I know that my family’s wellbeing is Summer’s priority.She can’t bear to disappoint anyone in the MacLaine clan.She’s dedicated to us.Utterly loyal.She’ll do anything for us.
“No worries, Summer,” I say.“We’re just taking a break while the professionals do what they can do.We’ll start up again in the morning.Earlymorning, on New Year’s Day, as hideous as that sounds.I promise.”I put my arm around her shoulders.“Come on,” I tell her softly.“Las Vegas isn’t all bad.It has good food.I’ll buy you a bite to eat.”
“I could go for a bacon barbecue burger with onion rings.”
“Your wish is my command, little missy.”I place my hand on the small of her back and walk with her toward the restaurant.I immediately remove my hand.
What the hell is wrong with me?Why am I touching her like that?
I take a moment to remind myself just how valuable my friendship with Summer is—along with the importance of keeping my ’nads intact—and the temptation to touch her vanishes.
A few moments later, I sit her at a table at one of the casino’s restaurants and order two burgers with all the fixings.Her eyes grow big when the food arrives.It’s a feast, a death sentence for a heart patient.Luckily, Summer and I are in perfect health.
“I can’t possibly eat all this,” she squeaks, eyeing her plate.
“Very funny.Nice one.”
She snorts.“I was doing my impression of Bryttni.”
“Needs more cat.”
Summer shrugs and dips an onion ring into her milkshake.“I didn’t want to be mean.”
“I shouldn’t be either,” I say.“She’s putting up with a lot from me today.I hope she can forgive me.”
I pick up my burger and take a large bite.Summer does too.We both moan in appreciation at the same time.
A dollop of barbecue sauce gets deposited on Summer’s cheek, and before I can stop myself, I wipe it off gently with my finger, resting there a second longer than I need, locking eyes with Summer’s as I do it.
Realizing that I’ve been holding my breath, I suck in air and drop my hand quickly into my lap.I curse myself and wish I could think of something snappy to say, but I’m paralyzed.This can happen on those rare occasions when Summer and I share a quiet moment.
Sometimes I forget every damn thing I should remember.And I find myself wanting more.And then I wonder what the hell is wrong with me.
Luckily, Summer and I are usually working our asses off at the ranch when we’re together.And when we’re not working, we’re making a lot of noise.Or laughing.Or annoying the rest of the family with our antics.
It suddenly occurs to me—are we doing all that on purpose?So there’s never room for a moment like my barbecue sauce mistake?Maybe Summer and I fall into our routine to reduce the risk of making a misstep.Like the one I just made.
