“There are things inquiring minds will want to know. Questions that are usually asked when a person sees someone they haven’t seen in a while.” He gave her a pointed look. “How long have we been dating?”
“The simpler we make this, the better.” Glancing down at her plate, Darby stared at her food. “We’ll say we’ve known each other for years, but only recently became romantically involved. Let’s stick to the truth as much as possible.”
Why was she so nervous? Because she was going to see the man from her past she’d mentioned? What did it matter to Blake? He should be happy if she reconnected with some long-lost love.
Was Nix a long-lost love?
Blake’s fries threatened to stage an uprising. “The truth works for me.”
“Except that you’re in love with me,” she pointed out.
His irrational reaction to the idea of Darby having a long-lost love irritated Blake. “I got that.”
Her gaze dropping to her plate, she nodded. “I just wanted to be clear.”
“As crystal.”
Her cellphone rang. She pulled out the phone and looked at the number. Grimacing, she shoved the phone into her pocket.
“Who was that?”
“Rodney.”
Her ex? Why was he calling? “You didn’t change your mind about getting back with him?”
He hoped not. Really hoped not.
He didn’t like the idea of Darby with Rodney. She was way too good for the guy. Plus, crazy as it was, he wanted to go with her this weekend, wanted to meet Mandy. And maybe even Trey Nix, just so he could figure out what Darby’s relationship had been with the man—although he had a pretty good idea.
An idea he didn’t like any better than the idea of Rodney.
“No,” she sighed, looking tired, as if this trip home weighed heavily upon her mind.
He knew she hadn’t gone home last Christmas, but she had made the trip when her niece was born. During the four years he’d known her she’d gone home a few times a year, but never for more than a night.
“Part of me wonders if I should beg him to take me back rather than bring you to my hometown.”
No, she shouldn’t bring Rodney with her. Blake wanted to meet her family, see where she’d grown up, figure out what it was about her hometown that made a woman he admired for her confidence so unsure of herself.
Darby was his partner and she needed his help. More than she even realized. Whatever her issues were with her hometown, he’d help her. He owed her that for keeping him on task throughout his residency and the beginning of his medical career.
“I can behave myself. Even in a place named Armadi
llo Lake.” He chuckled, letting the name roll off his tongue. “Sounds like a fun place to grow up. Is there really a lake?”
“Yes.”
“And armadillos?”
“Yes.”
“Your school team were the Armadillos?”
She gritted her teeth. “Yes.”
“Let me guess—your school mascot was a giant armadillo?”
Gaze lowered to her plate, Darby nodded.