“Third base,” I muttered, putting my glass down.
“For you or him?”
“Me.And he is talented.”
His eyes widened.“Stop right there.You’re making me blush.”
I giggled.“You asked.And it takes more than that to make you blush.”
“You’re right.Getting interrupted always sucks – no pun intended – why do you say that’s for the best?”
“He and I shouldn’t get physical.”
He dipped his chin to give me a wry look.“Girlfriend – I’m not saying this to stroke your ego, but the way he looks at you… I’d give up a lot for a man to look at me that way.”
I took a deep breath.“You almost sound like Alexandra.”
He twisted a hand up.“Then you should believe us.What’s holding you back?After you answer that, we need to discuss Lark because between both these men, I’ve never known you to chicken out so much.”
I sighed.“I didn’t chicken out.I was overwhelmed.”
“With Lark, sure.Ryan, I don’t believe you.It’s been a long time since Austin did you dirty.Give that hot biker a chance.”
I leaned toward him and lowered my voice and asked, “Even if he commits crimes?”
Chad sat back.“That’s too vague.What are we talking about here?”
Our server came to take our orders.Chad never deviated from the fried chicken and waffles because he so loved their strawberry spread.I always tried to order something new and went with the Shepherd’s Pie.
“How’s your day going?”I asked.
Chad laughed.“You aren’t changing the subject.Spill.”
I told him about the crimes Nickel and I committed in order to escape.
“I don’t see a problem,” he said.
I widened my eyes.“Chad, wemovedone of them, and took the truck,” I said, being careful of my words in case someone was eavesdropping.
“It’s a moot point now.”
I sipped my lemonade.“Stashing the truck bugs me most.”
“Yeah, but finding that at the bar would be worse – so I understand Ryan’s thinking.”
“Lark’s.It was his idea,” I corrected.
“Okay… so when are you going to call Lark?”
I shrugged.“I’m not sure.Even if you can justify what Ryan and I did – Alexandra mentioned the club hasn’t always been legit.My guess is that Lark has done far worse.Do I really want to know more?”
“Yes, you do.”
“That was rhetorical.”
“He isn’t just an outlaw.He isn’t just a bar owner.”He paused and gave me a nod.“You’re right that he didn’t really make you who you are – Jeff and Debra had far more to do with that – but he’s… I can’t explain it.He reminded me of you before he found out you were missing.”
“How so?”I asked, feeling intrigued.
