It Had to Be Him(35)

“Yep.”

“Okay, then.” After a slap on the back so hard Josh lurched a step forward, Brewster called out, “Drinks are on the house!”



After she’d lost count of how many free drinks she’d downed, Meg thanked everyone again and then slipped off the barstool and onto her four-inch heels that still only made her a normal height. Tucking the keys to her new car into her back pocket, she started for the door.

Then the floor rushed toward her face.

If not for Josh’s big hand snaking around her arm to save her, it could have been really embarrassing. And potentially painful.

“I’ll walk you home, Meg.”

She was still miffed about being tricked into taking the car by that dart shark. The last time she and Josh had played he stunk at darts. She didn’t think he’d have a chance to beat her dad when she’d agreed to that bet.

She wanted to yank her arm free, but wasn’t sure she’d be able to stay upright without his help. “This is Anderson Butte, not New York City. I’ll be fine.”

Luckily, he just kept motoring her toward the door, then pushed it open. The cool, clean air slapping her in the face felt good after being in the stuffy bar all night. Her new car sat right out front. She couldn’t resist. She lifted the handle on the door, but it was locked, so she grabbed her keys.

Josh plucked them from her hand. “Not happening.”

“I wasn’t going to drive. Beep the locks.” After he did, she opened the door and slid behind the wheel. Tilting her head back against the seat, she drew a deep breath. “Wow, this smells nice. I’ve never had a new car.”

Josh crouched beside her open door. “Then it’s about time you had one. Sorry if I caused even more trouble between you and your father tonight. But he’s an ass, Meg. No offense.”

She rolled her head in his direction. Josh could be so sweet sometimes. “My being born caused even more trouble between me and my father. And yeah. He can be a jerk.” She yawned and settled deeper into the comfy seat. Her arms and legs suddenly weighed a ton. “I think maybe I’ll just sleep right here.” She closed her eyes and pulled more new car smell into her lungs.

“Nope. Time for bed.”

She snorted. “My bed, not yours, buddy.”

“Your bed it is, then.” Josh slipped an arm under her knees and lifted her against his chest. With a bump of his hip, he nudged the door closed, then pushed the button to lock the car. The silly man.

Wait. Did he mean they’d both sleep in her bed? Her neglected-for-far-too-long girl parts liked that idea. A lot. But her almost-pickled brain had just enough working synapses left to shut those urges down. “Separate beds.”

“For now.”

They’d talk about that later. Mostly because her brain was happily swimming in beer and was in no mood to do its job and think.

As they headed toward Grandma’s guesthouse, she turned her face and snuggled into the crook of his warm neck, drawing another deep breath.

Soap, shaving cream, and . . . Josh. Even better than the new car smell. “You don’t wear cologne anymore.”

He pulled her closer. “Nope.”

“And you’re damned good at darts now.”

“Uh-huh.”

“You dress different too.” She laid her hand against his chest, which was covered by a simple cotton button-down shirt. His heart beat strong and steady under her palm. “No more slick shoes. I thought you loved fancy shoes.”

“They were necessary for the old job. Boots are more comfortable.”

“And a good place to hide your scary knife. It’s like you’re a different person sometimes.”

“That’s because sometimes people aren’t as they appear on the outside.”

What? Her foggy mind couldn’t quite compute that sentence. She’d just have to think on that some more later. When she wasn’t so very . . . tired. Or really drunk.

When she opened her eyes next, she was lying on her back on her nice soft bed. Josh sat beside her, messing with her feet. “What are you doing?”

As his thick fingers fought with the tiny buckle on her heels he said, “Welcome back. Where’s Haley?”

“Spending the night with Grandma.” She sat up, nudged his hands aside, and undid her shoes. “I can take it from here. Thanks.” A loud burp escaped before she could tamp it back.

Charming.

His lips tilted into a cute smile as he moved closer and whispered, “Your shirt looks a little complicated. Maybe I’d better help.”

When his finger traced her neckline and then slid lower, the rest of her body woke up too. “Go away, Josh.”