Page 54 of More Than a Good Friend

Dallas leans his stick against the wall. “That’s only part of it. I think she wants a guy whose heart goes thumpity-thump for her.”

I drop into a chair. “Thanks. That’s helpful. I’m not sure whether to give up or keep trying Mason’s advice.”

Anderson’s eyebrows bunch up, and Archer laughs but not as hard as before. “Yes, he’s taking advice from a kid, but it’s good advice actually.”

“I’m not going to ask.” Dallas yanks his phone out of his pocket, then swipes to answer. “Hello.” He brushes past me as he walks toward the door, but I can clearly hear Goldie on the other end of the line.

So I follow him.

“Yeah, sure. I can head that way. It’ll take me a bit.” He scowls and waves me away.

I’ll leave once I know why Goldie is calling him on a Saturday night.

“See you soon.” He pockets his phone. “I was trying to have a conversation.”

“With Goldie. What does she want?”

He narrows his eyes, and the next words out of his mouth are going to make me mad. I can tell.

“Me. She needs my expertise.” Dallas strolls back into the game room. “Guys, I’m headed into San Antonio. Goldie needs me to drive a car she just bought. I’ll be a while.”

“I’ll go with you. And I don’t get why she called you instead of me. I’d help her. I’m her best friend.”

“It’s a standard.”

“Oh.” Driving a stick shift is a skill I’ve never mastered.

“Right. There’s a reason no one lets you drive the tractor.” He unlocks his truck. “You can come, but if the new car doesn’t work out and she needs a ride back, it’s going to be tight. Three across on a bench seat isn’t exactly comfy.”

“She can sit close to me.” I might like this little excursion.

Dallas rolls his eyes. “I think you’re jealous.”

“Of you?” I’m totally jealous, but I’d never admit that to him.

We’re nearly to the highway when it finally dawns on me. “She doesn’t know how to drive a manual either. Why did she buy one?”

He shrugs. “Didn’t ask.”

I’ll go with Mason’s advice because I’m not ready to give up. I’ll be friends with Goldie even if she never wants to go out with me, but now I know how her lips feel. And I hope Mason was right about spending time together leading to kissing because I’d like that a lot.

And wanting to be with her has less to do with the desperate urge to keep other guys away from her and more to do with the smile I feel inside whenever she’s around.

CHAPTER19

GOLDIE

Tandy nudges me as Dallas’s truck comes into view. “Looky who’s with him.” Her grin widens. “Either he’s jealous or you bruised his ego. Or both.”

“Please don’t mention anything about him asking me out. I don’t want to revisit the topic right now. And as soon as the bank opens on Monday, I will get you your money. I truly appreciate your helping me.”

“How often do you find your dream car for sale in the perfect color? It was serendipitous.” She leans closer as the guys get out of the truck. “Who are you going to speak to first?”

It’s like she wants me to overthink even the tiniest detail.

“Hey, guys!” Greeting them both means I don’t have to decide.

Dallas scans the lot. “Please tell me you plan to test drive the car before buying.”

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