The way she answered gave him pause. “You didn’t walk here, did you?”
“In these shoes?” She looked at him like he was an idiot, but she didn’t actually answer his question.
“Jess, did you walk here?” Lanterns was over two miles from her house. And it was dark. Ethan didn’t like the idea of her walking two miles in the dark.
“I’m not one of your perps.”
“My perps?” Usually, when a civilian used television law enforcement terms, it irritated him. When Jess did it he found it adorable.
“Yeah,” She crossed her arms in front of her. “You can’t interrogate me.”
“It’s a simple question. One that I could easily figure out the answer to with a quick trip to the parking lot.”
“My transportation, or lack thereof, is none of your business.”
Technically, she was right. But that didn’t mean he wasn’t going to make it his business.
“Hey, guys!” Ali returned to the table. Instead of sitting back down, she reached for her purse. “We’re going to take off, but Kade is taking care of the bill, so get dessert, more drinks, stay. Have fun.”
“Everything okay?” Jess asked, and he noted a hint of suspicion in her voice.
“Yeah, the boys just called, and they’re staying at Ryder’s tonight.” Ali’s cheeks turned a slight shade of pink. “Brynn’s letting them camp out in the back.”
“You’re ditching me for an empty house with your fiancé?” Jess asked, incredulous.
“Yes, she is.” Kade stepped up and wrapped his arms around Ali.
“Fair enough.” Jess lifted her glass in cheers. “I’d do the same thing.”
“Thanks again, you guys.” Ali began to gush, “We’re so excited that you-”
“Yeah, thanks!” Kade interrupted and picked Ali up off her feet and started towards the stairs that led directly down to the parking lot.
Ali giggled as she waved.
“Have fun boning!” Jess called out, in what he was sure was an attempt to embarrass her friend.
Ali’s eyes widened, and her mouth fell open, but Kade whispered something in her ear causing her to giggle more as they disappeared down the steps.
“Boning?” Ethan repeated.
Jess turned back to him and crossed her arms. “Yes, Ethan. It’s when two people have sex.”
He stared at her, liking where this conversation was going almost as much as he’d liked that they were now alone.
When he didn’t respond, she continued, “You know…doing the deed? Having intercourse? Hiding the salami? Dipping the wick? Bumping uglies? Getting busy?”
“Wow,” he smiled. “Impressive.”
“Oh, I can keep going,” she said confidently.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Is that right?”
“Yep.”