Page 45 of Enforcing the Rules

“Told her I met you there the other night when two guys were hassling you.”

“No wonder she’s left me three messages.”

“Was that something your mother didn’t know?”

“Sort of. Let’s just put it this way: the less my mother knows about my life right now, the better.”

Utah studied me but didn’t ask anything, thankfully.

We finished the game, and Lizzie said she had to go home. Her eyes shifted to me. “You coming?”

She was my ride. She’d come by and picked me up rather than meet here.

“I’ll take Kate home,” Utah offered.

“Kate?” Lizzie lifted a brow, wanting to be sure I was okay with his offer. She has a smile on her face, and I knew she was remembering all the details I’d told her about my night with Utah. “You good with him giving you a ride?”

I rolled my eyes. Could she be more obvious?

Memphis chuckled under his breath.

“Yes, Lizzie. I’ll be fine. Goodbye.”

“Have a good night, you two.” She waggled her fingers.

Memphis straightened. “Where are you parked? I could walk you out.”

“I’m right by the door.”

He nodded and turned to the table. Then hung up his cue. “I’m gonna head out. Check those other places we talked about.”

Utah nodded. “I’ll catch up with you tomorrow.”

“Nice seein’ ya, Kate.” He winked and strolled out.

Utah glanced over at me and drained his beer. “You hungry?”

I shrugged. “I could eat.”

“You like Chinese? There’s this really good place on Main Street.”

“Peking Palace?” I asked.

“Yeah. You know it?”

“I’m a regular.”

“Huh. Another place where we’ve never run into each other. Odd.” He took my hand. “Come on.”

He led me to his bike and pulled a helmet out of his saddlebag. “Here.”

“Thanks.” I slipped it on, and his eyes swept over me.

“You’re gonna catch cold.” He pulled a leather jacket out next. “It’ll be big, but it’ll keep you warm.”

He held it up, and I turned and slipped my arms in, then faced him. “Thanks.”

While he threw his leg over and fired his bike up, I sank my nose in the collar and breathed in the scent of Utah mixed with leather. His thoughtfulness had touched me. I liked the way he took care of me.

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