Page 11 of A Little More

Lexi leaned closer and pointed to the left side of his menu. “I’m looking forward to trying their salads. I heard they’re amazing.”

“I’m getting a steak, if you don’t mind, Nash.” Juliana set her menu down. “I’m sick of eating canned Spaghetti O’s.”

He tapped Lexi on the back of the hand, any excuse to touch her. “You don’t have to get a salad. Get what you want.”

“But I like salads.”

“Would you like a glass of wine?”

“That’d be nice. Thank you.” Her proper, put together personality suited her tailored navy suit and pinned back hair. Untouchable. Almost.

After ordering their meals and drinks while trying not to drool at the way Lexi’s lips pressed to her glass as she sipped her wine, Nash answered a dozen questions from Juliana about their hometown and wondered if taking Lexi out, even on a group, unofficial date, had been the wisest move.

“I’m glad Cameron found Addie. Has Dewey started dating anyone?” Juliana tore a piece of bread from the basket and picked it apart. “I hate thinking he’s alone.”

“He’s not alone. He has me.” Nash grinned when she rolled her eyes.

“As much as you seem like a good snuggle buddy, I think he might need someone a little prettier in the morning.”

Lexi laughed into her wine glass and peered at him over the rim.

“You’re making me look bad. I wake up looking this great.” He winked, a little surprised when she didn’t turn away.

Instead, she watched him a few seconds and took another sip. Was it a challenge? He might have gone against his own, weak rules on dating and found out if they weren’t in public. She didn’t seem like the kind of woman who’d appreciate a direct approach in front of Juliana and a room full of strangers.

Their food arrived. Two steaks and a salad. He shifted closer to Lexi, enjoying her light floral perfume. “Let me know if you’d like some of my steak.”

“My salad is fine. Thank you.”

Juliana moaned as she chewed on the first bite of steak. “I can’t handle eating nothing but a salad. This steak is amazing, but I’d give anything for one of Ms. Iris’s burgers.”

Lexi smiled. “I don’t know about the burgers, but I enjoy salads.”

“Just wait, Lexi. Ms. Iris’s burgers are an experience. Add on to that a milkshake or a piece of Becky’s pie.” Juliana motioned at her steak. “That’s about the only food I’d take right now over this steak.”

“You need to come home and visit. Becky started making these brownie things now. Poor Cameron. I think Becky charges him twice as much as she does the rest of us and he doesn’t know it.” Nash leaned back in his chair, picking up his wine glass with one hand resting his other on the high back of the chair behind Lexi. “Next time you come down, we’ll have to go try a burger.”

Lexi’s shoulder brushed against his hand when she sat back.

His thumb stroked the back of her neck, just above the collar of her shirt before he’d thought of the consequence.

She buried her face in her wine glass, finishing the last quarter of the drink she had left in one swallow. But she didn’t move away.

He dropped his hand into his lap before the feel of her smooth skin made him lose his common sense altogether. They finished their dinner, sticking to general topics, and Juliana running the conversation.

“Lexi?”

And then there was Charlie. Damn Charlie, who liked to pop up at the worst times.

“Charlie. Hi.” She motioned to the restaurant. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m here with a client.” He glanced at Nash. “I see you’re doing the same.”

Her lips parted, but Nash jumped into the conversation.

“Nice to see you again, Charlie.” Nash poured Lexi more wine and then Juliana. “Turns out Lexi and I have a mutual friend in common. This is Juliana Campbell. She’s from my hometown.”

Juliana took over the conversation, as he’d expected. Lexi threw Nash a look. He’d thought she’d be grateful since being seen with Nash caused her to look like she’d seen a ghost. But, instead, she seemed horribly annoyed.

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