I couldn’t help but smile as I asked, “You knew I played?”
“Are you kidding?” She rolled her eyes. “Every girl in town knew. Those bonfire parties at the boat ramp wouldn’t have been the same without you.”
“Ah, the good old days.” I gave her a wink. “That was back when you went through the short skirts and cowboy boots phase. I liked that phase. You walked around like you were ten feet tall and untouchable.”
“Yeah, I guess I did. I didn’t think you noticed.”
“Oh, I noticed.” I leaned toward her with a smirk. “Hell, every man in a fifty-mile radius noticed.”
A light blush crept across her cheeks as she giggled, “And there’s the Luke I remember.”
I held her gaze a second longer than I should. “Never really went anywhere. Just learned to bite my tongue.”
“Duly noted,” she giggled, continuing down the hall. “You didn’t answer.”
“Hmm?”
“Do you still play?”
“Oh, yeah. Now and then.” I chuckled. “Whenever the mood strikes or a party runs long.”
“That’s great. You were really good.”
“Thanks. I appreciate that.” She kept glancing down the hallway where Memphis and Davis had disappeared into, and there was no missing the worry that was looming over her. Something was going on. I just had no idea what it could be, so I asked, “Everything okay?”
“Yeah, of course. Why wouldn’t it be?”
“I don’t know.” I studied her for a moment. “Just a feeling.”
Before she could say anything more, Davis stuck his head in the hall and said, “There you two are.”
“Went on and grabbed the rest of your stuff.” I stepped into the room and dropped the bags with a thud. “That should get ya.”
“Good deal.”
“So, what’s your plan for the rest of the day?”
“I’m pretty open.”
That threw me a bit, and I didn’t bother hiding it. “Open? You aren’t working today?”
“Nah. Took the day off.” He shrugged like it was no big thing. “Figured I’d take the day, get my stuff moved and settled in.”
“But didn’t you just start this job?”
“It’s factory work, man. They can live without me for a day.”
I nodded, but I couldn’t help but notice Memphis looking at me. Not a smile. Not a warning. Just a reminder that if I wasn’t careful, this whole thing could blow up in my face. Memphis turned on his heel as he announced, “I’ve gotta get to the casino.”
“Yeah, me, too.” I glanced back over at Davis as I said, “I’m sorry. I just figured you’d be working, too.”
“That’s no problem. I’ll just tag along with you… I mean, if that’s cool with you.”
Before I could answer, Presley stepped forward. “But what about me? I have to get to the salon.”
“What for?”
“I have to work. I told you that.”
