Thrill Me (Fool's Gold #18)(27)

He winked. “Is that what we’re calling it? And thank you.”

As quickly as that, equilibrium was restored. An impressive gift, she thought as she climbed into the passenger seat and he shut her door. Just one of many.

* * *

TWO DAYS LATER Maya sat at a big table at Jo’s Bar, enjoying lunch with the girls. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d done anything like this. Sure, she and Phoebe ate lunch or dinner together. But that was just the two of them. In her world, Maya hadn’t had much in the way of group girlfriend plans.

As she listened to the easy conversation going around the table, she wondered why that was. She supposed that a lot of her friends back in Los Angeles had also been competitors. No one had time for get-togethers. Or a willingness to get too friendly with someone who could steal your job. Or maybe it was a Fool’s Gold thing.

There were seven of them around the table today. Madeline, a pretty blonde who was part-owner of Paper Moon—the local bridal gown boutique. Destiny, a recent transplant and songwriter, Bailey, the mayor’s assistant, Patience, the owner of Brew-haha and someone Maya remembered from when she’d been a teenager, Phoebe, and Dellina, Phoebe’s wedding planner and another local.

“I swear it was him,” Madeline was saying. “In the flesh. I thought I was going to die.”

“You sound like you’re fifteen,” Patience told her with a grin. “I said that with love, not judgment. Jonny Blaze, here in town? There’s going to be a lot of swooning.”

“He’s so good-looking,” Madeline told them. “And that body. Those muscles are real.”

“You want to trace every inch of them?” Maya asked, reaching for a chip from the large platter of nachos that had been delivered.

“Twice!”

Everyone laughed.

Phoebe smiled at Madeline. “He’s very nice. Single, I think. Want me to introduce you?”

Madeline shook her head. “That would ruin the fantasy. What if he’s not as great as I think he is?”

“What if he’s better?” Maya asked.

“Is that likely? I don’t think so.”

Everyone laughed.

Conversation flowed easily. Maya watched Phoebe chat with the other women and liked the changes she saw in her friend. Gone was the tension. Instead, her friend was relaxed and happy. Fool’s Gold looked good on her. Or maybe it was being in love with Zane. Because love sure brought a glow to Phoebe.

Had she looked like that back when Del had been her world? Maya hoped so. Although she’d been terrified, she’d loved him as much as she’d been able. Certainly more than she’d ever loved another man.

Working with him now was nice, she thought. Easier than she would have guessed. He was a good guy. Funny, charming, a fantastic kisser.

Thinking about their kiss made her smile. If she couldn’t forget that chaste lip encounter, then she should be grateful he hadn’t taken things further. Had they done more, she would be so distracted she wouldn’t be able to get anything done.

It wasn’t him, she told herself firmly. She’d just been too long without a good kissing. As soon as she got her act together and found a boyfriend, she would be fine. Or so she hoped. Because it would be foolish to still have a thing for Del. He was so over her as to practically think of her as his little sister. At least that was how he acted. Which was a good thing, right?

She shook off Del thoughts and turned her attention back to the lunch conversation.

“...super busy,” Dellina was saying. “We are a town that likes to party.”

“Which makes you the person to call,” Phoebe told her. “I’m glad I was able to get you while you still had time.”

“Me, too,” Dellina told her with a smile. “Weddings are my favorite.”

“Do you have many this fall?” Maya asked.

“No more than usual, but I sure have a ton going on over the holidays. The Hendrix family is planning a Christmas reunion blowout that is getting more complicated by the day. Score is being their usual PR selves and hosting a huge customer event in mid-December.”

Patience laughed. “Ask your handsome husband to help with that one.”

“Believe me, I will.”

“When do you get to celebrate the holidays?” Maya asked. “It must be tough with so much going on.”

“It is,” Dellina admitted. “Sam and I are going somewhere warm and beachy in mid-November. Before the madness strikes. No cell phones, no internet. I can’t wait.”

Madeline sighed. “Sounds heavenly.”

Maya leaned toward her. “What are the odds that you’re picturing Jonny Blaze on a beach right this second?”

Madeline raised her eyebrows. “Excellent, in fact. The man moves me. It makes me shallow, but I can live with the flaw.”

“I really can introduce you,” Phoebe said. “I think Jonny needs a nice girlfriend in his life. He doesn’t date much.”

Patience grinned. “I’m not sure Madeline is interested in dating him.”

Destiny turned to Maya. “I heard you used to live here. Back in high school. Is that right?”

“Uh-huh. For a couple of years. My mom and I moved here from Las Vegas. There was some culture shock for sure.”

“I would guess. Are you enjoying being back?”