“Double bacon cheeseburger,” Len said, “and don’t bother asking my brother what he wants. He’s going to the counter to order.”
“Oh, I don’t mind staying here,” Troy offered. He checked out Tessa, his dark eyes flashing as he admired her. “You’re looking good tonight.”
“You too, Troy.” She returned his smile, but she was still more interested in the whole Len-and-Janey show. She hesitated, examining both the brothers for a moment before finally breaking down and asking, “Where am I taking your order? Here or at the counter?”
“At the counter,” Len and Janey said simultaneously.
Troy’s grin stretched from ear to ear. “No problem. Catch you two later.”
He slipped off the bench and past Tessa, who paused for just long enough to confirm she’d bring out their orders once they were ready.
Silence fell over the table for all of ten seconds before Janey couldn’t hold back any longer. She laughed, trying to keep the sound soft enough the neighbouring tables wouldn’t be aware.
Beside her, Len wasn’t nearly as tense anymore. He snuck his hand over hers and linked their fingers together, and suddenly the temperature in the room rose.
“This is going to be very entertaining,” Janey whispered, not completely sure which part she was referring to—their dinner out, or the subtle sexual tension twisting up her arm as he moved his thumb slowly back and forth over her skin.
He made a noise, somewhere between a snort and a grunt, which only set her off again. This time she couldn’t keep her volume down, and her outright laugh drew the attention of people who had gone back to their meals.
“Next time I’m cooking for you, instead of going through this circus,” Len warned.
She waved her free hand in the air. “They’ll get bored of it, eventually.”
But the entire time they sat there, it seemed they were the best entertainment in town. One after another Janey’s or Len’s friends who happened into the café all slid into that empty space across from them. Made small talk for a moment or two before their jaws hit the table as they realized they were interrupting a date.
By the fourth time it happened even Len snickered out loud.
“We should start charging by the minute,” Janey suggested.
Len shook his head. “I knew they were a lot of busybodies, but what is so entertaining about us?”
Janey snuck a french fry off his plate. “That’s probably my fault.”
This time his laugh was lower, more intimate. “Okay.”
She leaned her shoulder against him, feeling warm from her head to her toes. “You’re supposed to take the blame. Don’t you know the rules?”
It was like a light switch flipped. All his lighthearted amusement vanished between one breath and the next, and Len went from teasing and warm to tense. Every inch of him on alert.
“What’s wrong?” she asked quietly.
“Nothing.” He focused on his plate, finishing the rest of his meal in silence. The quiet camaraderie they’d shared vanished as if it had never been.
Janey poked a fry into her ketchup and ate it slowly, considering what exactly had gone wrong. She wasn’t going to push, not here in such a public place, but if she and Len were going to be a couple?
His days of being Mr. Silent, at least with her, were coming to an end.
Len stared out the front window and held on tight to the steering wheel. Seated next to him, Janey was telling him about what she had coming in for completing the trim around the house. It was easy enough to listen and make appropriate noises, and still use most of his brain to give himself a good solid lecture.
Less than an hour into officially dating her, and he’d already acted like a jackass. And over such a stupid thing, because there was no way she could know her words would trigger a flood of memories.
He and guilt went way back. Guilt, and a whole ton of fear as well.
It seemed that was the way his screwed-up insecurities worked these days, coming out to smack him out of the blue. For the most part he had made his peace with what had happened so many years ago, then he’d be blindsided and all over it was like being pushed into a dark pit.
The strangest things could set him off. A combination of words, the scent of antiseptic like at the hospital.
One time someone’s phone had gone off, and their ring tone had been a series of beeps eerily reminiscent of a heart-rate monitor. He’d come within three seconds of snatching the phone right out of their hands and grinding the case to pieces under his heel.
But whatever took him there, he’d suddenly be fifteen again, watching his family fall apart around him as his mother fought a battle she couldn’t win.
A soft touch landed on his arm as Janey leaned her head against his shoulder. She’d gone silent. He’d probably missed responding to some bit of conversation for longer than was polite.
“I’m sorry. I’m being a shit.”
She’d curled up, legs on the seat as she wrapped her fingers around his right biceps. “You looked as if you’re thinking deep thoughts. I’m okay with that. Not everyone is as obsessed about wood-staining methods as I am.”
That hauled a chuckle from him. “It really is hard to not end up smiling when you’re around.”
Janey twisted in her seat, leaning forward far enough she was in his line of vision without taking his eyes off the road. “I think that’s one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me.”
“It’s true.”
She loosened off her seatbelt so she could stay there, resting her elbow on the dashboard as she smiled back. “I hope this is another fact that makes you smile even if it’s a little embarrassing. Did you know that you’re driving in circles?”
Len glanced out the window. “Damn.”
She laughed. “Whatever is on your mind has you all tangled up. Push it aside for a little while, and let’s go have some fun.”
He wasn’t sure he was up for hitting the dance floor or anything like that. “You want to go somewhere else tonight?”
She tilted her head from side to side. “I’ve had enough of being the center ring at the circus. I was thinking more somewhere to stretch our legs.”
“The trail? Down by the river?”
“I don’t want to go back by the river yet.” Janey made a face. “I made a bit of a fool of myself the last time.”
Another thing he should’ve thought of sooner. “How’re you feeling? Any lingering aftereffects?”
“God, I hope not.” She pointed ahead of them toward the turnoff for the wilderness park. “Of course, you must be twice as happy that I’m not acting up, so you don’t have to babysit me tonight.”
“Well, not all of it was bad.” Len slipped a hand off the wheel and rested it on her thigh. “Trust me, I enjoyed it when you started taking off your clothes.”
The low growl that escaped her just made him grin harder.
“Are you really going to taunt me about that?” she asked.
“Hell, yeah.” He glanced over. Her lips were thrust forward in a slight pout, but amusement danced in her dark eyes, along with a healthy dose of lust. He took the corner a little too fast, and she swayed, soft curves connecting with his arm before he caught hold around her waist and pinned her in place.
“I want to make some memories I can look back on,” Janey murmured. “Right now you’re the only one who’s sure what I did last night.”
“And you’re the only one I will ever tease about it.” He put the truck in park, turning off the ignition to give her his full concentration. “I kinda like having something to tease you about, but what happened last night is between us. I promise that’s as far as it will ever go.”
Janey sat for a moment, staring seriously before nodding.
Anticipation rose between them. He was still holding her waist, his hand resting on bare skin. So soft and warm, he could hardly wait to explore.
And her lips—she’d just licked them. Her tongue had darted over the full bottom swell and left it wet. Every bit of him was ready to finally get to satisfy his cravings. She was the one he’d wanted for so long. The only one.
She tilted her chin and glanced at him from under her lashes. “Want to go for a walk?”
Janey was across the bench seat and out the door before he could respond one way or another. He took a deep breath and hit the ground, adjusting himself as discreetly as he could under the guise of closing his door.
She met him at the front of the truck, her hand held out. He slipped her fingers into his, amazed how the electric shock of anticipation turned his entire system alive.
“You have anything big happening at the garage in the next while?” she asked.
“Typical maintenance and summertime vacationers. Nothing too exciting.” All his attention was on the connection between them. She had strong hands, probably from swinging a hammer and all the other tools she used on a regular basis. But while she had calluses, she’d done her nails, and she must use cream or something because she was still a lot softer than him.
Jeez. He was holding her fucking hand and ready to write poetry about it.
They strolled along the trail for a good hour, talking easily like people who had known each other for a long time. Well, Janey talked. Len listened, slipping in the occasional word or comment, which was more than usual.