Celine glanced over Suzy’s shoulder. “Party of one?”
“Not quite. Duke’s sister’s in town so we thought we’d bring her for some good food. They just parked, and Lane’s bringing Parker.”
“Then I’ll grab y’all a table in my section,” Celine said, plucking a handful of menus from behind the hostess stand. She weaved between empty four-top tables to get to one in the center of the room. She plopped a menu at each setting. “What’s Duke’s sister like?”
Suzy shrugged. “She seems nice. At first, I thought he was bringing a girlfriend around.”
“I bet you loved that.” Celine widened her eyes with mock sincerity.
Unease bunched Suzy’s nerves, and she plopped in a chair. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Uh-huh,” Celine said, the laughter in her voice loud and clear.
Suzy hid her face behind the menu, even though she’d memorized everything the restaurant offered years ago. She’d spent a lot of time with Celine over the past few months, and it was clear the other woman could read her better than she thought.
Either that or she wasn’t nearly as calm, cool, and collected as she strived for when in Duke’s company.
God, she hoped it wasn’t the latter. It was one thing for Celine to have suspicions about her feelings for Duke, another for Duke himself to know.
“Here they come,” Celine said. “Nothing like a little mid-shift pick-me-up from my family.”
Suzy watched Celine cross over to Lane and take Parker from his strong arms before hugging them both close. She’d never imagined her brother would have a family and was beyond grateful things had worked out for him and Celine.
Her gaze drifted to Duke and heat climbed up the back of her neck before she refocused on the menu in her hands. Fate might have swept in to help her brother find happiness, but that didn’t mean it’d do the same for her. Duke was a flirtatious cowboy who’d stormed into town without a care in the world. He was too busy making the whole damn town fall at his feet to worry about her—or heck—even entertain turning their friendship into something more.
And she was completely fine with that. A relationship with anyone was the last thing she needed. Experience had taught her men were best kept at a distance.
Especially sexy cowboys with quick wit and a smile that weakened her resolve to keep her focus on herself and her future.
“This place is adorable,” Heather said and took the chair next to Suzy. “I have to check out the jukebox before we leave.”
“Feel free, but you better like 70’s classic rock or you’ll be sorely disappointed.”
“I bet I can find something. What’s good here?” Heather kept her menu on the table and ran her finger over the laminated page as she read through the selections.
“Anything, really.” Suzy glanced over at the entrance. Duke stood in the corner on his cellphone while Lane spoke with Celine, a deep frown pulling down his face.
Not like that wasn’t normal. Before Celine and Parker became permanent fixtures in his life, his normal persona screamed toxic loner.
“Duke and Lane coming?” Suzy asked.
Heather shrugged. “He got a call on the way here. Sounded like a possible job. When we’re done eating, can we walk around town a bit? I swear, my hometown is no more than a post office, a church, and a four-way stop. This whole square is lined with little shops, and I noticed people putting up holiday decorations. I want to grab a coffee and just wander around. If I’m lucky, maybe it’ll even snow.”
“Oh trust me, at some point soon it will snow. And the coffee will freeze in your cup before you get to the first store.”
Heather’s hazel eyes widened. “All part of the charm.”
Duke made his way to the table, his frown looking a lot more unnatural than the one Lane always wore. He held his cowboy hat in his hand, which dangled at his side.
“Everything all right?” Suzy asked.
He shoved a hand through his hair and sighed. “Not really. Just spoke with Mr. Gurly. Someone smashed a store window. He wants some security measures put in place right away.”
“Oh no, was anyone hurt? Anything stolen?”
Duke shook his head. “Nah, probably just some kids making trouble. But can’t fault the guy for wanting to do what he can to prevent any more problems. He wants me and Lane to get to the store as soon as possible, which seems like overkill, but gotta give the client what he wants.”
“You two go while Suzy and I get to know each other better.” Heather aimed a sweet-as-sin smile at her brother.
