Page 63 of Love, Lies, and Whiskey

“Because you’re driving.” Doc tossed him the keys.

He caught them, his eyes wide with excitement. “Really? I get to drive your truck?”

“Yup. But if you’re not ready to leave that party at eleven fifteen like your mom said, you’ll never drive it again.” He winked at Juliette. “See you later.”

As he and Lucas climbed into the truck, Lucas said, “You’re seeing my mom later?”

“I asked her to dinner. Is that okay with you?”

“I guess.” He put the key in the ignition and cracked a mischievous grin. “Just remember to mind your manners or it’ll never be okay again.”

Chapter Seventeen

JULIETTE HEARD SEELEY’S truck outside and hurried into the bedroom to take one last look at herself in the mirror. She’d never been this nervous about a date. Not that she’d been on all that many, but she’d been on enough to feel the difference. She was excited to spend time alone with Seeley. She couldn’t stop thinking about how quickly they’d gotten swept up in each other behind the barn and how badly she’d wanted to do more. But that anticipation was mixed with worries about Lucas, and she was trying to find a balance. Even if only for tonight.

She gave herself a quick once-over. She didn’t own many dresses, but she’d chosen her favorite: a gauzy seafoam-green sleeveless dress. It had a deep V neck and gathered at her waist, with tiny buttons running from the center to the hem just above her knees. She was a little worried she might be overdressed, but she wanted to look pretty for Seeley. She’d paired it with cute Western boots and pulled the sides of her hair up, leaving it loose in the back, with a few tendrils in the front.

The doorbell chimed, sending her heart into overdrive. With a deep breath, she headed out of the bedroom and answered the door. Seeley stood on her porch, devastatingly handsome in a gray-blue short-sleeved button-down, tattoos snaking out from beneath the sleeves.

“Hi.” She sounded as nervous as she felt.

His gaze slid appreciatively down the length of her, making her even more nervous. “Damn, darlin’. I feel like a horse kicked me in the chest. You are too beautiful for words.”

She covered her racing heart with her hand. “I think that horse might’ve kicked me, too.”

A low husky laugh tumbled from his lips, and he leaned in and kissed her, bringing a wave of his deliciously rugged scent.

“I was worried I might be overdressed.”

“You look great. That dress reminds me of the frilly white skirt you were wearing the first time we met. You were the prettiest girl I’d ever seen then, and now you are the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen.”

You remember what I was wearing? “You always knew just how to sweet-talk me.”

“As I recall, it was my dirty talk that lit your fire.”

She had a feeling her heart would be racing all night. She grabbed her purse, and as they headed for his truck, she gasped in disbelief. In her driveway sat the faded black-and-silver truck Seeley had driven the summer they were together. “You still have Tiny’s old truck.”

“Yeah. She’s not going anywhere.”

He opened the passenger door and helped her in. She watched him walk around the front of the truck, feeling like a giddy teenager all over again. A giddy teenager with a son who may or may not have been a jerk to Seeley when he dropped him off at his friend’s house, she reminded herself.

“How was Lucas?” she asked as they drove away from her house. “He didn’t give you any attitude, did he?”

“Nah. He was fine, and he’s a careful driver.”

“Probably extra careful since he was driving your truck,” she said.

“Probably.” He glanced at her. “He did say he liked driving with me because I don’t use a fake brake or grab the dashboard.”

She laughed. “I might have done that a few times.”

“My mom used to do the same thing. He asked if I’d take him driving again.”

“Really? That’s great. But don’t feel any pressure to do it.”

“I’d like to, if you don’t mind. I’ll take any time I can get with him.”

Happiness bubbled up inside her.