He nodded. “We already argue like we’ve been married for years, and so people will naturally believe it when they hear the way we talk to each other.”
She couldn’t hold back the bark of laughter that sprang from her throat. Apparently, his mind wasn’t in the bedroom. It’s a good thing she hadn’t voiced her thoughts.How embarrassing!
“That’s true, Zack. We do argue a lot.”
He withdrew his hand, grinning. “I thought you’d like that.”
“And so what last name should we use?” she wondered.
“Hmm...” His gaze moved toward the street, going from one neon sign to the next. “How about Tucker?”
She found the shop that was titledSmuckers. He must have gotten the name from there. “Okay, Zack Tucker. Let’s go eat. I’m hungry.”
As they entered the establishment, Zack slid his arm loosely around her waist as they waited to be seated. She looked at him and cocked her head as she patted his hand hooked on her hip. “Seriously?”
He nodded. “Yeah, you’re my wife. I can show affection in public. It’s not against the law.”
“But if we argue like an old married couple,” she lowered her voice, “then people won’t even notice that we’re not being affectionate.”
Whitney displayed her best smile as the hostess showed them to a booth toward the back of the room. Inwardly, Whitney groaned. Why weren’t there more lights? In fact, it appeared like a chuck-wagon themed room. Each booth was made into a covered wagon. This place was definitely not here when she’d visited Joe last.
“Oh, wow,” Zack chuckled. “Lookdarling, isn’t this romantic?”
He slid on the bench, so she quickly sat across the table from him. As her hands rested on the table, he reached over and took them, caressing her knuckles with his thumbs.
The hostess told them the nightly specials, gave their menus and left. Whitney tried to pull her hands away, but Zack held onto them.
“Smile,” he said.
She shot him an irritated glare. “What’s there to smile about?”
He chuckled. “We’re going to have steaks and loaded potatoes.”
His comment made her relax, and yes, she even smiled. He winked and withdrew his touch as he picked up the menu.
“I’m sorry I’m so grumpy,” she said, looking over her menu. “I’m just tired.”
“I understand.” He looked up at her. “Does Joe know we’re coming tonight?”
“Yes. I called him earlier today.”
“Does he know... about us?”
“That we’re hiding?” she whispered. “Yes, he knows.”
It didn’t take long for the waitress to take their orders and leave. Whitney leaned against the wall, letting the table and the back of the booth cradle her as she relaxed. Zack played with the light switch on the lantern hooked to the wall. He turned down the light, and then made it bright again. She couldn’t believe how something this mundane would keep him entertained.
“Whitney?”
“Yes.”
“Will you tell me how you became an FBI agent?”
She played with the ends of her wavy hair, not wanting to look him in the eyes. “I thought I’d told you already.”
“No. You just mentioned taking college courses that led to that field.”
Rats!She really didn’t want Zack to know everything about her.
