Overheard (Unspoken #2)(9)

She looked down one more time at the black sweater she’d chosen. She looked good in black. It went well with her auburn hair. And if she’d squeezed herself into a pair of jeans she hadn’t been able to wear in several months, it certainly wasn’t because she wanted to look hot for Luke. She just didn’t want to look like a fat ass.

She blew a curl out of her face for the hundredth time and wished she’d used more hairspray. But then if they went anywhere with candles or little kerosene lamps on the tables, she’d go up in flames with as much shit as she had in her hair.

Finally, she heard Luke’s truck and headed for the door. She met him halfway across the lawn, and he looked at her in surprise.

“I would have come and gotten you, Gracie.”

She shrugged. “I’m here.”

He took a minute to look her over. “You look nice.”

She smiled at him and willed herself not to shake. “Thanks.”

He guided her back toward the truck and opened her door for her. He got in on his side and turned up the heat before backing out of her driveway.

She studied him as he maneuvered. He must have gone home and shaved because he usually wore a shadow by now. He wore a short-sleeved polo shirt that stretched tightly across his biceps. He worked out regularly with Wes, Jeremy and Jake, something they’d started a year and half back, and the results were downright yummy. She couldn’t wait for the summer when they’d run around shirtless. She hadn’t seen Luke’s six pack since last summer, and it had looked pretty damn good then.

“How does seafood sound?” he asked as he looked over at her.

“Sounds great to me.”

They lapsed into silence, and Gracie wondered if she were the only one who felt the awkwardness between them. If they were going over to Michelle’s, they’d be chatting it up, talking about the work week and the weekend ahead. But they were on a date. And that changed everything.

She let out a small sigh and slouched down in her seat. To her surprise, Luke reached over and slid his hand over hers. He tucked his fingers against her palm and ran his thumb over the back of her hand.

“Relax, Gracie. We can do this.”

“But why are we doing this?” she blurted out.

It just seemed so stupid to ruin the easy-going rapport between them. She snuck another glance at him to see him smiling. What the hell was so funny?

He left his hand over hers as they drove into town. When they reached the restaurant, he hopped out of the truck and hurried around to open her door. He reached up to help her down, and she landed close to him. Close enough to smell his cologne and to feel his body heat.

He tucked a curl behind her ear, his fingers glancing over her cheek. “You look beautiful.”

Her face grew warm. Before she could respond, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and guided her toward the entrance. A couple. They were acting just like a couple, and it was weirding her out.

Once inside, Luke ordered fish and she ordered shrimp. They both ordered a beer and sat back to wait on the food.

“So how are we doing so far?” Luke asked as he watched her across the table.

“I don’t know, Luke. I feel like this is a test or something, only I don’t know the rules or what we’re supposed to be doing.”

He leaned forward and stared intently at her, his blue eyes glowing in the dim light. “You’re a gorgeous woman, Gracie. Why do you find it so hard to believe that I’d want to go out with you?”

Her eyebrows furrowed. “Maybe because we’ve been friends for years and you’ve never even hinted at it before now?”

He shrugged. “I wasn’t ready.”

“And you are now?”

“Maybe.”

He took a long swallow of his beer and arched one brow at her. “If you’re so unconvinced then why did you agree to go out with me? What is it you want from this?”

Busted. He’d turned the tables on her completely. She licked her lips and thought about what to say.

“I don’t know,” she finally said. “Something about it intrigued me. Maybe a part of me lit up at the idea. I’m confused.”

“That’s what I love so much about you, Gracie,” Luke said.

She laughed. “What, that I’m a confused numb nut?”

“No, that you’re honest. You’re direct. There’s no pretense about you. It’s sexy as hell.”

She blinked in surprise. She hadn’t exactly expected him to say that.

The waitress delivered their food and Gracie dug in, glad to have a distraction from the current conversation. Luke was attracted to her, and she was damn well attracted to him, but it wasn’t as easy as going home and having sex. This was Luke. One of her best friends on earth. His respect meant a lot to her. So did his friendship. She didn’t want to do anything to f**k up either one.

If they had sex and things didn’t work out, how would it affect them? Could they really pick up and go on like it hadn’t happened? Continue to spend as much time together as they did? Go hunting and fishing and hang out at Jeremy and Michelle’s?

“You’re putting way too much thought into this,” Luke said mildly.

She looked up guiltily to see him watching her. “I’m sorry. I’m doing my best to ruin the evening before it even starts.”