Kay busied herself filling up Hope’s diaper bag with the essentials. “Yeah, but it’s been a while since I’ve gone out. Nick’s got a new project, so we’ve been really busy working on that, plus I’ve been recording late with Jackson.” Guilt kept her from looking him in the eye. “Your brothers have been keeping me busy!”
Eli chuckled. “You want me to beat them up for you?”
She tried not to stare, but it was hard not to be entranced by the rare appearance of his smile. It was still a novelty to see this side of Eli. He didn’t joke around that often, so it was always a pleasant surprise when she could coax a laugh out of him.
“That won’t be necessary. I’m kind of attached to them by now.”
She grabbed the last of what she needed, then allowed Eli to take the bag from her so she could pick up Hope from her crib. A few minutes later, they were on their way.
Kay glanced over at Eli several times during the drive. He was in a strange mood, and she debated whether she should tell him to turn the car around and go home. But before she could make up her mind, they were pulling into the long drive of the Alexander farm. Just as she opened her door to step out of the truck, the front door opened and Julia Alexander came down the steps.
“There you are,” Julia exclaimed. She held out wide-open arms for Kay. The red-and-white checked apron she wore was dotted with flour, and she carried the scent of warmth and sugar. After a round of hugs, Julia took the car seat from Eli and started back toward the house.
“I’m so happy to hear the girls found a nice young man to set you up with. And you look so nice, honey. I’m sure you’ll knock him off his feet.” Julia winked at them before starting up the steps.
“What is she talking about?” Eli narrowed his eyes as he looked at her outfit again, clearly seeing the clothes she’d agonized over and the makeup she’d worn in a new light.
“It’s nothing. The girls just have someone they want me to meet.”
Eli glared at her, but before he could say anything, Mara appeared in the doorway.
“Kay’s here,” she announced over her shoulder. “Now we can go. Hi, Eli. We’ll have her back in a few hours.”
“I know you will because I’m coming with you.”
Mara stopped in her tracks. “You’re coming with us?”
Ridley and Raina appeared in the doorway behind her. “Who’s going where?” Raina asked, looking between Mara and Eli with confusion.
A slow smile spread across Eli’s face. It was so unexpected, such an incongruous expression, that it took them all off guard. “I’m going with you. Wherever Kay goes, I go. Bodyguard, remember?”
Mara nodded slowly. “Of course. Right. I forgot.”
“I bet you did,” Eli muttered. Kay covered her mouth with the back of her hand to stifle her laughter, and Eli turned his glare her direction before asking Mara, “So, what’s on the agenda tonight?”
“Let’s go, everybody!” Ignoring his question, Mara headed down the driveway toward her car. Ridley and Raina followed, sending worried glances over their shoulder at Kaylee.
Eli grabbed her elbow and towed her back toward his truck. “Where are we going?”
“The Rush. Eli, maybe we should—”
“Buckle your seatbelt.” Eli helped her into the passenger side, then slammed the door. Kay shivered as he rounded the car and climbed up into the driver’s side. She was going on a date. And the man she’d been crushing on for the past year would be there as a spectator. And he was armed.
Yikes.
CHAPTER SEVEN
THE RUSH WAS a small diner that had been in operation since the 1950s. Bright colors and waitresses on roller skates would have fit the atmosphere, but instead it was a plain white facade with a cherry-red awning. All the tables and chairs were a faded beige Formica that easily had fifty years of grease baked on.
Kay inhaled the familiar aroma of hamburgers and the sweet scent of milkshakes as they piled into a booth in the back corner of the restaurant. Mara’s friend, Daniel, arrived several minutes later, sliding into the booth right across from Kay.
“Hi, everybody. Sorry I’m late.” He smiled hello to everyone, making eye contact with Kay, including her in the greeting. His dark hair was cropped close on the side and stood up in disarray on the top, like he was far too busy to bother brushing it, and his brown eyes crinkled charmingly when he smiled.
She sat up a little straighter and smoothed her hair self-consciously. It had been an act of peer pressure that she’d agreed to do this, but in all of her mental preparation, she hadn’t considered that the guy might actually be cute.
Mara caught her eye and winked.
“So, how have things been going? I haven’t seen you since one of your clients sued one of our clients. Danny is a lawyer,” Mara added dramatically.