Page 20 of More Than a Good Friend

She sidles up to me and pulls my arm around her waist. “I’ve been waiting for you to ask me.”

We start dancing, and Regina keeps inching closer. Every two steps, I back up. Pretty sure that’s not how the dance step got its name.

Goldie dances by, and her date leans down and whispers in her ear. They must be having a good time. I twirl my date, mostly to get some space between us. But hopefully it looks like I’m having fun.

When the song ends, Regina props her hands on her hips. “What’s up with you? Why do you keep stepping back? Do I smell?” She does her little head wiggle, which I used to find cute, but not tonight.

“You don’t smell. I just have stuff on my mind.” I thought tonight would be fun, but thanks to Archer’s little peptalk, all I can think about is Goldie and how she thinks I’ve taken her for granted all these years. And I can’t ask her about it because she’s on a date. With a guy taller than me.

But I don’t care about that. Much.

Regina moves in close and slides her hands up my chest and around my neck. “Why don’t we get out of here and I can help you forget all that other stuff?”

Typically, I would’ve said yes before she finished her question, but tonight, I’m not feeling it. “Nah, I’m just going to stick around here. With my friends.”

Regina turns and nods toward Goldie. “Looks like she found someone to keep her company. She’s not just sitting there waiting for you to dance with her. In fact, she might not even notice if you leave.” She tugs at my top button. “Come on. You know you want to.”

I push her hand away. “What do you mean about waiting for me to dance with her?”

A huff is all I get in reply. Regina doesn’t even answer the question before walking away.

Scratching my head, I walk back to the table.

“Have fun?” Archer fiddles with the corner of the label on the beer bottle.

I shrug. “I was planning to, but all your talk about taking Goldie for granted has my thoughts tangled. Even Regina said something about Goldie. I came to forget—for at least a little while—that Goldie doesn’t think I’m husband material. It’s not working.”

“I never said that.”

I know exactly who is standing behind me, but like a dork, I ask, “Goldie’s right behind me, isn’t she?”

Archer nods.

Pretending I didn’t just make a complete fool of myself, I turn, finding my smile. “Goldie, hey. Is this your date?” I extend my hand to a guy who might be a nice guy. Or he might be a complete jerk who will take Goldie for granted. I grip his hand, a little tighter than I normally do when shaking people’s hands. “Hidalgo Gonzales. But everyone calls me Dag.”

The guy matches my firm handshake, then clamps down a bit harder.

It hurts, but I don’t let on that it does. He may be taller, but I can handle whatever he throws at me.

We’re staring at each other and shaking hands way longer than necessary.

Archer jumps up. “And I’m Archer. We work out at the ranch.”

“Evan Parsons.” He releases my hand and gives Archer a polite handshake. “Nice to meet you both.” Wearing what appears to me as a taunting smirk, he wraps an arm around Goldie and leans close to her. But that is all for show because he doesn’t whisper. “I’m going to grab us some drinks.” He pats her hip, then shoots me a glance.

He definitely heard my comment about husband material and is rubbing it in my face. I do not like this guy.

She smiles at him, and it’s genuine. “Thanks. I’ll only be a minute.”

He gives a quick nod before walking away.

“You having fun?” I rub my jaw, hoping she doesn’t bring up the comment she wasn’t supposed to hear.

After glancing around, she closes the distance between us. “I never said you weren’t husband material. Don’t put words in my mouth.” There’s a bit of fire in her, and that’s not something she’s ever directed at me.

I one hundred percent would not mind seeing that fire again. Except I don’t want her mad at me.

“Then what did you mean when you said you won’t settle? What’s wrong with me?” I can think of a long list of possible answers, but I need to hear it from her.

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