“Nine to five?”
I nodded. “Just like Dolly Parton says.” Eventually, she’d connect the dots and see the elaborate hoops I’d jumped through to put me near her, but not working for the same company. I was hoping she wouldn’t freak out. I had only quit my job and moved back to Phoenix after realizing I was in love with her. No biggie.
“I start Monday. I’m allowed back in the carpool, right?” It was hard to make my words casual when she was close enough to catch my every response, right down to the temperature of my hand.
“Like I could kick you out. Dan just about cried when I told him you were back.”
“I’ve missed Dan.”
“And he’s missed you. Sadie misses you slightly less.”
I smiled. “Did she say that?”
“Her exact words were, ‘Whatever, tell him not to be late.’”
We were finally having a normal conversation. I could feel Jenny start to relax and it allowed me to relax, especially now that Monday was all set. Maybe tonight wasn’t going to be a complete failure.
Yes, I had sent her mixed signals and ruined the one date we went on. This second date wasn’t turning out much better, now that I thought about it. But I was going to make everything right. Jenny would never have to doubt my intentions again.
Except, I lost her attention as she gazed at something just over my shoulder. Or someone, based on the cologne that hit us like a wave.
I turned just in time to see a blond guy in a tight-fitting pinstriped shirt approaching.
He stuck his hands in his pockets and ducked his head—a thinly veiled attempt to look humble and casual. He was about to ask us something awkward. I could feel it.
“May I cut in?”
If Jenny and I were a couple, I would have shut him down, but that wasn’t the case. I looked to Jenny instead.
Her cheeks had turned a beautiful shade of pink. “Denver, hi.”
Oh, perfect. She knew the guy.
She glanced at me and then back at him. “Next song is all yours.”
“Great.” He gave her a dimpled smile and winked. After he walked past us, he turned and glared at me as if I’d insulted his mom or something.
“Friend of yours?” I asked, keeping my voice light. I wasn’t sure what the guy had against me. Certainly not jealousy. Jenny and I were dancing like the chastity police were right there with us. Bible space, galore.
“Not really. Denver’s an old boyfriend of Lauren’s.”
Ex-boyfriend of the bride? That gave me little comfort. He was probably looking for a distraction from tonight and had set his sights on Jenny, literally and figuratively. He was still staring at us, in fact. Waiting. Watching. The jerk.
The song ended, and Jenny gave me an apologetic smile before heading in his direction. Did I go find someone else to dance with so we could make this a jealousy competition? No, I did not. I went to stand and wait like a good piece of arm candy.
Chapter 2 – Jenny
“So, that was carpool guy?” Denver murmured, pressing me close to his chest. He wasn’t a Neanderthal about it, but the guy didn’t believe in personal space. Not when it came to dancing.
I’d made so much fun of Lauren for dating him, but I could see the magnetic appeal he held now that it was aimed in my direction. He was all charm and confidence, tall and muscular, in a gym-guy way. Noah was built like a soccer player, lean and strong. I hadn’t wanted to compare the two, but my mind did it anyway. I liked my little size compared to Noah’s average height. Against Denver, I was hyper-aware of how short I was.
“Yep. That was carpool guy. Lauren told you about him?”
“Yeah. And Clay. They said to keep an eye on you tonight.”
I whipped my head around to look for the bride and groom, ready to tell them exactly what I thought of that idea before reality took hold. They were across the dance floor. Lauren had her face buried in Clay’s neck. He was whispering to her, holding her close like she was his whole world. Because she was. Yeah, lectures could wait. Dang adorable couple.
“I don’t need anyone keeping an eye on me, Denver.”
