Page 12 of More Than a Good Friend

She whips around, and the glisten of tears surprises me. “He would’ve taken me back to the ranch.”

“Why did you change your mind?”

“Because we had different first-date expectations. He just didn’t mention his until we’d left the ranch.”

“Want me to find him? What’s his name?” I wouldn’t hurt him too bad, but I’d make him regret making Goldie uncomfortable.

She huffs. “No! I don’t want you interfering in my love life.”

“This was a date. No one said anything about love.” I don’t like how distant she feels. “Since you got all prettied up, let me take you to dinner.”

“I don’t care.”

That’s not a no, so I drive past the ranch and head to the barbecue place in Stadtburg. She deserves someplace nicer, but we’re both hungry. And this place is close.

“We’ll get banana pudding for dessert.”

She nods and dabs her eyes with a tissue. I hate seeing her upset. But I like being the one to save her.

“That present is for you. I never gave you your birthday gift.”

She pulls out the set of crochet hooks and pinches her lips. “How’d you know I wanted these?”

“I asked around. Ava, Bluebonnet, and Archer all agreed, so I got those.”

We’re both quiet until we arrive at the restaurant. Before she can sprint out of the truck, I rush around and open her door.

“Thank you.” She wraps me in a hug. “This was really sweet.”

“You’re welcome, and I promise not to stalk your other dates.”

She taps my arm. “I appreciate it.”

* * *

The next night,I pace in the game room, checking the time at ten-minute intervals. I don’t have to worry about her getting dropped off on the side of the road because I loaned her my truck. The other upside to her driving my truck is that I have an air tag in it. Not just for tonight. That would be weird. I keep one in my truck in case a thief decides he wants my truck. This way, I can track it.

But even knowing she has her own vehicle isn’t helping to ease my concern.

Mason points at me and nudges Archer. “What’s wrong with him?”

Archer meets my gaze. “Goldie’s on a date, and he’s unhappy about that.”

“Not true. I’m just worried about her.” I drop into a recliner. “She hasn’t dated a whole lot and may not know how men can be.”

Mason scrunches up his face. “What do you mean?”

Archer shakes his head. “He didn’t mean anything.”

They go back to their video game, and I imagine all the possible things that could go wrong on her date.

“She drove. So no one met the guy. Did anyone at least get his name before she left?”

Archer shrugs.

After Mason wins the level, he runs over to the chair next to me. “I have a question.”

“What is it, buddy?”

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