Page 58 of More Than a Good Friend

Blinking, she points in front of the car. “I was trying not to hit the kangaroo.”

“No way.” I tear my gaze away from her and gape as the kangaroo hops across the highway. “That’s unexpected.”

She nods and shifts into gear again.

“I’m impressed.”

“About what? The kangaroo? It’s pretty cool to see a real one. They don’t even have them at the zoo here, do they?”

“I have no clue. Do you have any idea how long it’s been since I visited the zoo?”

She laughs. “Probably since that summer we all went as a group.”

“Yeah. I think you’re right. We should go sometime. But I was talking about you. You’re impressive. Weeks ago, you had no idea how to drive this car, and just now, you didn’t even stall it during a panicked stop. Dallas will be super proud. Me too.”

Her cheeks flush, and she gives me a sideways look. “Thanks. Now stop distracting me.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I go back to being quiet and stealing glances.

When we get into town, I direct her to the restaurant, and she parks on the street. I waste no time hopping out and hurrying around to open her door.

The kind of guy Goldie deserves would definitely open doors for her.

We cross the street, and I pull open the door, which catches her by surprise. I really have been a crap friend. She’s standing on the wrong side of me to enter, so after a quick puzzled look, she ducks under my arm and walks in.

Just inside, she stops. “Do you think we should tell someone about the kangaroo? Obviously, it escaped from somewhere.”

“Maybe.”

The hostess smiles. “How many?”

I hold up two fingers. “Just us.”

She picks up menus and turns around. “Right this way.”

I nudge Goldie, encouraging her to follow. Then I fall in step behind her. The whole place smells like steak, and that makes me happy.

We slide into a booth and look over the menu. Well, she’s looking at the menu, I’m still doing the glancing thing.

A smile spreads across her face, and she pinches her lips like she’s trying not to laugh.

I lean forward. “What?”

She meets my gaze and subtly nods to the two deputies getting ready to leave the table across from us. “Listen.”

They are talking about the kangaroo, and how it messed up their dinner plans.

I sort of feel sorry for them because the food here is good. But their job is to protect and serve. And if anyone tangles with that kangaroo, they’ll need protection.

I bump her foot under the table, and her gaze snaps to mine. This is the same look she gave me when I opened her door the first time. And the second. Surprising her is totally worth her reaction.

“Order whatever you want. Except alcohol because I can’t drive you home. Yet.”

“What do you mean by yet?”

I set my menu aside. “I aim to learn. Maybe Dallas or one of the other ranch hands will be brave and teach me.”

She bumps my boot with her shoe. “I’ll teach you.”

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