Page 56 of Wine Whiskey & Lipstick

Dillyn’s hands were dying to touch his heated skin. However, she kept them to herself by linking her fingers together and holding her hands behind her back.

“When y’all come back, maybe I can throw a few steaks on the grill.”

“Are you asking me to dinner?” The tone in Dillyn’s voice changed. She turned her head and tried to speak low enough so that Selah couldn’t hear. “Or are you asking me to dinnerdinner?” She hoped he didn’t miss the innuendo in her voice. Dillyn wasn’t good at it yet, but she liked flirting with Ben. She wasn’t even sure if she was doing it right. Flirting was more of a Cat and Palmer thing.

He leaned over, whispering into her ear, “I’m talkin’ dinnerdinnerand dessert.”

Dillyn backed away, grinning from ear to ear. Her voice still sounded sultry. “I do love a good thick steak and dessert, so that would be a yes.”

Selah opened the door of the truck just in time to hear Dillyn’s comeback.Gross. Selah hoisted herself up on the running board. “For the record, I have a date tonight. Don't worry about making enough for me. Now, can wego?”

Dillyn turned away from Ben and walked toward an impatient Selah. Dillyn’s stomach was doing somersaults in anticipation of her evening. They would be alone since Lucas was out of town until tomorrow morning. “Sorry,” she said meekly.

“Honestly, it’s nice to see you and my brother flirting. Gross but nice.”

“Flirting! We weren’t flirting.” The words rang hollow even to Dillyn.

Selah laughed. “Yeah, you were. You think I missed all that sexual innuendo?Puhleeese.I heard it loud and clear.”

Selah’s laughter faded as they drove away from the house and pulled out onto the road. “That’s interesting.”

“What?” Dillyn glanced over at her.

“I don’t know. It feels like I see that silver car behind us every time I turn around.”

Dillyn looked up into her rearview mirror. “Is it anybody you know? Someone from Frank’s?”

“Hmm . . . no. I don’t recognize the car.”

Dillyn stopped at a red light. When it turned green, she pulled off and kept straight while the silver car made a right turn.

Selah sighed. “Great. I’m just being a paranoid freak. I’ve been binging serial killer movies on Netflix for the past week. Maybe I should start watchingThe Golden Girls.” She laughed. “That car was obviously not following us. It’s just that Summer is small. We all know everybody. You see someone who is an out-of-towner and start to think all kinds of weird things.”

Dillyn didn’t think Selah was paranoid. She had noticed that same silver car around town too. She hoped it was innocent and not tied to Steven’s empty threat. At least, Dillyn hoped it was an empty threat.

“So, are you going on a date with that one guy you met a little bit ago?”

Selah smiled mischievously. “Yes. Finally. It’s been two long weeks of texts and phone calls. We FaceTimed the other day. We just click on so many levels, and my God is he’s so cute. I can’t wait to meet him in person.”

“So, youactuallysaw him?”

“Yep. I know you’re concerned, but I googled him. He’s legit.”

“That’s good to know. What is his name?”

“Thomas Markum. We’re going to meet at the Roadhouse for dinner.”

Dillyn frowned. “I’ve never heard of that place. Is it close?”

“It’s on the outskirts of town.”

Warning bells started going off in Dillyn’s head. Only she wasn’t sure if her concern was due to Steven’s threats more so than being realistic. Online dating was a thing. Many people did it safely. But there were also thoseotherstories.

Selah could see the skepticism on Dillyn’s face and wanted to reassure her. “I promise. I’ve done my research. Plus, if we met somewhere around here, it would get back to Ben and Lucas before our meal even came out from the kitchen. They would just so happen to show up and order steak.”

“You’re probably right.” Dillyn still felt uneasy about it.

“If it’ll make you feel better, let me call him, and you can talk with him.”

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