Page 96 of For One Night

I finish my text to Alice before looking at her. “You need a cab.”

“Dang it, how will I get Proud Mary home?” She bites her nail.

I lean over and take her hand from her mouth. “Who in the hell is Proud Mary?”

“What? I haven’t told you?” She springs from her chair, yanking my hand as she goes. We walk straight through the house and out the front door. She stands like the chick on the game show with a smile. “Lennox, may I introduce Proud Mary.”

“You’re driving that? How?” I scratch my bread.

She pouts. “Listen, there are many things you can get away with when it comes to me, but do not disrespect Proud Mary.”

I blink rapidly. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

“I am.” She crosses her arms. “We moved a lot. I didn’t get my license before college and then, Carter wouldn’t let me. I just got them not long ago, and my dad gave me his old car.”

“What do you mean, ‘wouldn’t let you’?” Rage pumps through my veins.

“I told you, controlling asshole.”

I take a deep breath. “And people say I’m a terrible person.”

“So how’s she getting home tomorrow?” She sinks her teeth into her bottom lip.

“I’ll have someone come get it, and I’ll pick you up for our trip.”

“Sounds good,.” she walks toward me and my heart races. “I need to get my things and my purse.”

“You cooked, I’ll clean and bring them with me tomorrow.”

She stops dead in her tracks. “You do dishes too?”

“I do have hands and a dishwasher.”

“Wow, why are you single?” She quirks her brow.

“Is that a proposal?” Her eyes smolder, ramping up my blood pressure.

“I’ll get my purse, Scotty.” She winks as she turns.

My stomach flips over. “Don’t tease, it’s unbecoming.”

She comes back out and sits on the steps. I’m taken off guard but follow her lead. “Might as well make ourselves at home.”

“I am at home.” I sit beside but get a shock when she throws her legs over mine.

“These shoes are gorgeous, but my feet hurt, and I’m a little tipsy.” She giggles with a hiccup, making her face flush. “Sorry.”

I slip her shoes from her feet. “I have some slides you can wear home, unless you think you’ll fall.”

“I’ll take my time walking in them.” I begin to rub her feet, and she falls against the bannister. “Damn, a girl could get use to this.”

“A woman like you should already be used to it.”

There’s a twinkle in her eyes. “How are you so amazing with all the shit that’s been thrown at you?”

“It’s not so hard when you caused the storm.”

“You’re a good man, Lennox.” If she knew what I was thinking of doing to her, she wouldn’t say I was.