All the Right Moves(32)

She and Lisa greeted the men with smiles, but Cassie was too disappointed to fake it well. Behind her the phone rang. Another waste of money. Hardly anyone called the landline anymore, but Tommy insisted on being listed in the Yellow Pages.

Lisa started to come around the bar to answer the phone, but Cassie motioned for her to take the customers’ order. She’d get a better tip out of the men. Cassie was just too damn grumpy to go that extra mile.

“Gold Strike,” she said, her greeting close to a bark.

“Cassie?”

She recognized John’s voice, and immediately turned to face the wall for a teeny bit of privacy. “Hey.”

“Are you busy?”

“No, slow tonight.”

“Yeah, even the parking lot is half-empty.”

Abruptly she looked at the door. “Where are you?”

“Just outside, sitting in my car.”

“Oh.” She glanced down at her top, grateful beyond words she’d done a quick fix with club soda on a spot of tomato juice that had splashed her earlier. “Why?”

“Any chance you’ll get off early?”

“Yes, and again, why?” She’d tried to sound casual, as if his call was no big deal, but it wasn’t working. Her pulse had started racing at the sound of him, which was not a good sign. A smart woman would make an excuse and hang up, not keep ignoring all the signs that she was already in over her head. Instead, she said, “You owe me two answers.”

John’s deep laugh made everything worse because she could picture the smile that went with it. “You up for a party?”

She watched Lisa fill a mug with beer and chat with the men. “Party being a euphemism for...?”

“Uh...” He trailed off to a brief silence. “No hats, no balloons, but it really is a party.”

“Where?”

“A friend’s house, about twenty minutes from here. By the way, I want to know how your exam went, but I figured we’d talk on the drive. If you want to join me.”

For all her internal lecturing, Cassie wanted to see him. She wouldn’t pretend otherwise, but hanging out at a party with his friends wasn’t what she had in mind.

“I promised I’d show up,” he said, as if sensing her hesitation. “We don’t have to stay long.”

“I’m thinking.”

“Should I come in? I thought you wouldn’t want me asking in front of customers.”

“You’re right.” She glanced down at herself. The top would do, but the old jeans were horrible. “Maybe you should go ahead on your own. I’d have to go home and change and—”

“Nah, it’s not like that. They barbecued earlier, and now it’s drinks and snacks around the pool. You’re dressed fine.”

“You don’t know what I’m wearing.”

“But I know you look good,” he said, his voice low and smoky.

Smiling, she realized she was twisting her hair around her finger like a smitten thirteen-year-old and snapped out of it. Damn. Lisa was watching her. “Give me ten minutes.”

He might’ve said something about waiting on the street instead of the parking lot, but she’d pretty much hung up on him.

Avoiding Lisa’s gaze, Cassie muttered, “I’ll be right back,” then grabbed her purse and hurried to the ladies’ room for some damage control. Nothing to do about her clothes, but her hair and makeup probably needed touching up.

If she made it out the door without having to field a dozen questions from Lisa and Tommy, it would be a miracle. And then all she had to do was survive the night with John. No problem. Though another shot of tequila might be just the ticket.

* * *

“CASSIE, THIS IS SHANE and Nancy, our hosts.” John kissed the woman’s cheek, while Cassie smiled and shook hands with her husband.

She should’ve known better. The rule was a basic one, for God’s sake. Never trust a man when it came to his opinion on clothes. Even if he swore you looked like a million bucks. Of course John hadn’t used those words, but he’d assured her she looked perfect. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

“Glad you guys could make it.” Shane glanced at the label on the wine John had given him, his brows arching in approval. “Too bad you missed dinner. We should have some leftover steak and chicken. Honey, how about bringing out the—”

“No, not for us....” John pressed a hand to Cassie’s lower back. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t speak for you, Cass.” He looked into her eyes, his dazzling smile for her alone. “Hungry?”