“To salvage my pride?”
No verbal response. I imagined him nodding. Since this concerned me, I willed her to be generous. Come on, give us the green light. The silence seemed interminable.
Finally, she answered, “Fine. For what it’s worth, you have it. I don’t care what the idiots in this town think. But...it’s nice that you checked with me.”
I could only agree. He’s too good to be true.
Before they caught me listening, I hurried back to the table. Avery and Rob joined us a few minutes later. A warm glow suffused me at the sight of him; it was impossible to think I’d ever meet anyone sweeter or more amazing. Stuart sang twice more before I drank enough to make me brave enough to put my name on a card, along with my mom, Avery and Krista. Rob took it to the DJ for us, wearing an adorable grin. I cocked a brow at him.
“Something funny?”
“I can’t wait to see this.”
“I will kill anyone who takes pictures,” Avery warned.
Krista nudged her. “Don’t look at me, I’ve been roped into singing, too.”
Listening to everyone else was surprisingly fun. A white guy got up and rapped terribly, but he had so much personality that he got the rest of us to chime in on the chorus, helping him out. When the DJ finally called us up, most of my nerves had gone to sleep. I made Avery hold the mic we were sharing while Krista partnered up with my mom, then we sang the hell out of the Spice Girls. Or not. Because like half the club got up to smoke. I had a terrible voice, but I was a good dancer, so I worked shoulders, boobs and booty for Rob. He didn’t even blink the whole time I was onstage; his intense, purposeful stare sent shivers through me.
When we finished, Stuart and Rob yelled for us, along with a couple of drunk guys at the bar, one of whom seemed to be trying to get Avery’s phone number. She pointed two fingers at him, then shook her head in a no-way signal. He clamped his hands to his heart and pretended to fall off his stool.
Krista was laughing so hard that Stuart had to help her sit down. “Oh, God, this isn’t good. I’m going to pee my pants.”
Avery slid her a look and then quietly moved her chair two inches closer to mine. While Krista pretended to pout, the rest of us dissolved in muted snickers. Rob ordered another round, though I’d noticed he wasn’t drinking. Likewise, Stuart stuck to soda and lime, which looked like gin and tonic. After a couple more beers, I had the urge to hug him, but I contented myself with messing up his hair.
“You’re a great guy, you know that?”
“Uh. Thanks?” he said, slightly worried-looking.
“Okay, that’s enough for you,” my mom said, and I grinned.
We sang one more group number just before ten, and then it was time to head our separate ways. Most of us had work in the morning, plus it was almost an hour back to Sharon. Outside in the frosty parking lot, I did hug Stuart, much to his combined pleasure and discomfort. He patted me awkwardly in return.
“There’s room for my mom in the truck,” I said. “No point in you driving there and back, unless you’re staying over.”
“Lauren!” I got a thump on the arm from Mom for my troubles.
“You’re so weird,” Avery mumbled.
“If you’re sure?” Stuart glanced at my mom to be sure she was okay with the plan.
“It makes sense. I’ll walk you to your car.”
I took that to mean they were going to kiss, so I urged the rest of our group toward Rob’s truck. He was already warming it up for us, and Avery sighed a little as she climbed in back. This must’ve been a little odd for her, but I thought she had fun. Krista definitely did, even if she couldn’t drink.
Eventually, my mom hurried across the lot and got in the back. “Ready.”
The drive was companionable, though we sang along with the radio instead of talking. An hour later, Rob dropped Krista off. “Thanks, this was really fun. We should do it again. Call me, okay, Lauren?”
Avery was less effusive but she sounded sincere when she got out next. “I had a good time. Surprisingly.” The bite of the last word was mild, considering her reputation. “See you.”
“Take care,” Rob said.
She turned to study him through the truck window, and I recalled their private conversation near the bathroom. It was like she was mentally drawing a line between them. Then she jerked a nod. “You, too.”
“That was surprisingly civil,” Mom said as we pulled onto the road.
“We need to cut her some slack. You know how people talk around here,” I pointed out.
She nodded. “According to them, I have a drug habit and you’re pregnant.”
“Huh?” I swiveled my head. “I knew about my unborn love child, but since when are you into the crack? On the horse? What’re the cool kids calling it these days?”
She laughed softly. “Since I’ve lost weight, honey.”
“I would happily beat the shit out of anyone who talks like that about you two.” Rob’s tone was so conversational, that at first, I thought he was kidding. But I met his gaze in the passing headlights of another car. And nope.
“That’s sweet,” Mom said, apparently not realizing how serious he was.
Wow. Rob’s got a secret caveman side. Love that.
Too soon, he pulled into our driveway. It was just past eleven, and if I were a good girl, I would kiss him, then take a shower and get ready for bed. My mom thanked him for the ride and climbed out, evidently granting us privacy. It was bizarre having to worry about this sort of thing.
“So this is where you peck me on the cheek?” I touched his lower lip gently. “Because I won’t let you wind me up like you did yesterday.”
“No. This is where I ask you to pack a bag and drive to my place.”
“Huh?” My eloquence knew no bounds.
“I’m not sure how much you know about mechanical stuff—”
“Nothing. That’d be nothing.” Not polite to interrupt, but I desperately wanted him to cut to the chase.
“Well, a spring can only hold so much tension before it snaps.”
Wow. I let out a long, slow breath. “So tonight...?”
You got the all-clear from Avery. Now we’re good to go. Exhilaration warred with insidious tenderness that made me want to hold him every bit as much as I’d love to lick him all over.
“If you’ll come.”
Pressing my mouth together didn’t quite muffle the absurd sound I made, something between a giddy shriek and girlish laughter. “Give me fifteen minutes.”