Page 62 of More Than a Good Friend

He smiles. “Any chance we could see each other again. Maybe for lunch?”

“I’d like that.”

“Awesome. Pick some place close to the ranch, and I’ll drive to you next time.” He stands and gathers our empty cups. “I wasn’t sure what to expect from tonight, but I’ve had a great time talking to you.” He tosses the trash, then grabs a napkin and scribbles a phone number on it. “Here’s my number in case Daisy didn’t give it to you.”

I fold the napkin like it’s a one-hundred-dollar bill. “I’ll text you.”

We walk out of the restaurant, and he points to the car parked next to mine. “That’s mine. Are you parked close?”

“The purple one is mine.”

“How convenient.” He stops when we get to the cars, and for a split second, his gaze drops to my lips. “I look forward to hearing from you.”

“Good night.”

Screaming in delight when I get in the car will be a little too obvious, so the screaming will have to wait until I’m alone on the highway.

Normally when something good happens, I call Dag. But I’m not sure I want to tell him that my date was fabulous. So before pulling out of the lot, I call Tandy.

She’ll want to hear all about Luke.

CHAPTER22

DAG

Sometime in the middle of the night, I had the perfect idea for something Goldie would really like, but I need a bit of information. So once I wrap up my chores, I head over to the main house.

If she’s not there, I’ll text her, but seeing that surprised look on her face would be fun.

I can tell she’s in the mess hall kitchen even before I can see her. Not only does it smell amazing, but she’s also singing. Outside the door, I stop and listen. This isn’t common. I mean, she’s a happy person, but I don’t think I’ve ever caught her singing while she cooks and cleans.

A thought hits me, then sinks to the bottom of my stomach. She had a date last night, and now she’s singing. It must’ve gone well. I can’t be upset about that. If she finds someone who makes her happy, that’s a good thing. And I’d have no one to blame for being too late to catch her interest. The fault is all my own.

However, that doesn’t mean I’m going to give up my plan. Friends spend time together. And if in the end, she chooses whatever lucky guy had coffee with her last night, I’ll shake his hand—without trying to break it—and wish him the best because that’s what Goldie deserves.

But until she makes that choice, I’m sticking to the plan.

“Hey there.” I hang my hat on the hook and smooth my hair. It’s probably a royal mess.

Her smile is wide and bright. “Dag, hi. You’re here early. What’s up?”

I perch on a barstool. “Two things. I saw a post about that kangaroo. A guy out near Bandera has four of them, and one figured out how to unlock the enclosure. She’s back home now.”

“How weird. I had no idea there were any in the area.”

“I searched a bit, and do you know that at least once a year for the last few, there has been a kangaroo on the loose somewhere in the hill country? Who knew?”

She spoons ground meat into the casserole dish. “I’m happy I got to see one but also glad I was not close to it.”

“Exactly. And the zoo does have some now. So we should go.”

“That’d be fun. You said you had two things to tell me?”

“Yes. What was the name of that restaurant at the outdoor mall that you said was good?”

“The one I ate at with the odd duck?”

“Yep.”

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