Page 27 of Taking Charge (Lone Star Burn 4)
Chelle smiled back at them. “I thought Mason was crazy to have two planes, but he said the price of two small ones was just about the same as one large one. I think it’s a case of men loving their toys.”
Remembering their earlier conversation, David shot for a serious tone and said, “We do love them.”
Lucy started laughing and slapped his leg. “Stop.”
With easy humor, David said, “In Texas, we say bigger is always better, but tell yourself whatever you need to, Mason.”
Mason rolled his eyes and shook his head in tolerant amusement. “Chelle, this is the thanks we get for waiting for them.”
Chelle laughed. “I had no idea David was so funny.”
“Fucking hilarious,” Mason said, but he was smiling. “Lucy, why don’t my friends respect me?”
David leaned forward and gave Mason a pat on the shoulder. “We would respect you, but we know you.”
Deciding to have a little fun with David, Lucy said, “Mason, David actually says very nice things about you when you’re not around.”
Chelle turned in her seat and smiled at David. “Mason speaks highly of David, too. It’s a bromance. How sweet.”
Both David and Mason grunted at the same time, which made the women laugh. David laced his fingers with Lucy’s and pulled her in for a quick kiss. He could pretend to be irritated, but he felt too damn good about life for anything to change his mood. Lucy was at his side, the taste of her lips was still on his, and she was happy.
Nothing was more important.
Chapter Twelve
Seated beside David at a long table that had been hastily engineered by pushing two rickety square ones together, Lucy took a sip of beer and smiled. These were her friends, and she knew how lucky she was to have them. Regardless of their financial status or level of fame, they had remained genuine and down-to-earth. Even Mason, whom Lucy often saw on television in a suit, was dressed in casual jeans and a T-shirt.
Their meal had been a series of interruptions from townspeople, but the group had handled them gracefully. Some came to ask Tony a question about a horse, some to ask Mason if he would run for president, and one woman even brought a book over for Sarah to sign. For Lucy, though, the most fascinating interactions were between David and everyone who came to the table. He might not have been the one who drew them over, but while they were there, they spoke to him with open affection. Time and time again, they thanked David for his help with something and asked why they hadn’t seen him and when he next planned to come around.
David always looked over at Lucy before explaining that he had been spending time in Mavis lately, and then he would introduce Lucy to the person. Their reactions were anything but subtle. The most common responses were “About time” and “I’m so happy for the both of you.” But a couple of the comments were more personal. One woman told Lucy she was nuts if she let David get away. Another asked when the wedding would be. After the first few, David began to look uncomfortable, but he didn’t stop introducing Lucy.
Chelle asked everyone at the table to raise their glasses in honor of the fact that she and Mason had finally chosen a wedding date. They toasted and clapped as she and Mason exchanged a dramatic kiss that left the table laughing.
A few minutes later, Lucy excused herself to go to the ladies’ room and got a taste of a darker aspect of town. The waitress who had served their pizza and drinks with a smile all evening cornered her when she came out of the bathroom and said, “If you break David’s heart again, I wouldn’t bother coming back to Fort Mavis. You won’t find it a very friendly place.”
Lucy’s first impulse was to tell her to mind her own business, but she held her tongue. What does she mean “break his heart again”? Lucy met the woman’s eyes. “I have no intention of hurting him. I care about him.”
The woman’s fake smile returned. “There’s plenty of women willing to help him get over you. I’d keep that in mind.”
Lucy returned to the table. Apparently, David hadn’t been kidding about having feelings for her since they’d first met. She joked nervously, “The people in this town are pretty intense, aren’t they?”
David frowned, looking protective and ready to take on anyone who might have offended her. “Did something happen?”
Lucy decided it was best to keep some conversations to herself. She was still trying to figure out how to take in the whole town seeming to know how he felt about her. On one hand, it was reassurance he wasn’t lying about his feelings. On the other hand, it was pressure she didn’t feel ready for. “No, just a notion I have.”
Tony looked at the waitress who had spoken to Lucy and said, “If that notion is that this town has its share of assholes, it does.”
Mason shook his head. “Tony, have you ever heard of the law of attraction? What you put out in the world comes back to you.”
Tony didn’t look bothered at all. He took a sip of his soda before answering. “Then I must be a saint, because I married one.”
Sarah laughed and hugged her husband. “I love you.”
Chelle touched her fiancé’s cheek lightly and teased, “Are you going to let Tony get away with being the most romantic man at this table?”
Mason narrowed his eyes at Tony, then laughed. “I hate that I can’t think of something awesome to say.” He kissed Chelle briefly on the lips and joked, “Is smelling better romantic? Because I have him beat in that area.”
This time everyone laughed.
Lucy’s phone rang. She let it go to voice mail, but then it rang again. She checked the caller ID. It was Michelle from Mavis. With an apologetic wave of her phone, she said, “I should probably take this.”
“Hello,” Lucy said, turning slightly away from her friends so her conversation wouldn’t interrupt theirs.
“Lucy, I went by your house, but Wyatt said you were gone for the weekend.”
“Yes, I’m in Fort Mavis visiting friends.”
“With David?”
Lucy glanced at David. He smiled at her, and she looked at him apologetically. He shook his head as if to say it was no big deal. That was David, always understanding. “Yes.”
“You’ll have to tell me all about it when you get back. Promise?”
“Sure. Is that why you called?”
“No. I have something I want to tell you, but I don’t know how to.”
“Just say it.”
“I don’t know if I can.”
“Now you’re scaring me. Is it bad?”
“Oh no, nothing like that. This is good, but embarrassing. Lucy, I had my first orgasm all because of you. I did it. I used that toy you told me about, and I waited until I was home alone. At first, I was so nervous and afraid Ron would walk in on me, but then it started to feel good and then it started to feel great. I didn’t know anything could feel that good. Is it always this good? Does it get even better? I have so many questions.”
Lucy lowered her voice. She was happy that her friend had made a self-knowledge breakthrough and wished she were able to say more. I don’t know what the appropriate thing to say is when your friend has her first orgasm, but I’m pretty sure whatever it is shouldn’t be said now, right in the open. “Can we talk about this later?”
David didn’t plan to eavesdrop, but when Lucy’s voice had risen with concern, all conversation at the table ceased. Whoever she was talking to, it was obvious the conversation was an uncomfortable one for Lucy. She looked . . . guilty.
He didn’t like the possessive feelings surging within him at the possibility that she might be talking to a man. When her eyes met his again, he mouthed, “Is everything okay?”
She nodded, but waved one hand in the air in mild panic. He told himself he trusted her. Just because her body language looked like it was proclaiming she was hiding something, it didn’t mean she was. Or that it was a man. She’d never lied to him.
I’ve never asked her if there is anyone else.
Fuck.
No. This has to be about someth
ing else.
The more the caller spoke, the more Lucy averted her face. “I really can’t talk right now; I’m out at dinner with friends.” Lucy pushed her chair back so there was an even greater distance between her and everyone at the table. “I don’t know. That’s a decision only you can make.” She suddenly sounded sad. “I’ve asked myself that very question. We’ll talk when I get home.”
Don’t let it be another man.
I’m willing to wait, but I won’t share her.
Lucy pocketed her phone and pulled her chair back beside David. “Sorry about that.”
David placed his arm around the back of her chair. “Is there a problem back home?”
Lucy didn’t meet his eyes. “No.”
Sarah leaned across the table. “Who was that?”
Lucy shrugged. “Just someone with a question.”
Sarah smacked the table as an idea came to her. “Oh, a client.”
“Sort of,” Lucy hedged.
