Except somethinghadchanged. It wasn't only that the images dancing in her head were based on reality now. A new spark flowed between them each time he touched her. It wasn’t a bad change, and the things he’d done with his tongue—she had no problem admitting she’d been wrong about being on the receiving end. They were still friends. But that wholewith benefitsthing added a new weight to the word. “I guess so.”
“You know so, or it doesn’t count.”
“I know so.”
He traced his thumb along the back of her hand. “So no big deal if it happens again?”
Oh, geez. A glow spread in her chest that she wasn’t the only one hoping for a round two. Or more. “I wouldn’t say that.”
He gave her a sideways glance.
She wasn’t writing off another chance at whatever they could get up to. “No bigbaddeal if it happens again. If next time is anything like this afternoon, it’s certainly not insignificant.”
“Fair enough.” He let go of her hand to downshift and turn into the restaurant parking lot. A whisper of disappointment trickled through her at the missing contact.
They maneuvered through the parking lot looking for an empty spot. Riley recognized the familiar black Escalade in the front row as they approached, the G4M3G0D license plate making it hard to miss. She wasn’t surprised Scott and Kenzie were already there. They were always at least ten minutes early.
“Game God? Really?” Zane snorted. “I wonder what kind of jackass drives that.”
This wasn’t quite how she’d wanted to continue a fantastic evening.
He glanced at her, as he pulled into a parking spot. “You’re kidding.”
“I told you. Kenzie landed herself a sexy rich guy.”
“He’s like... a programmer or something?” Zane fell into step beside her as they headed toward the restaurant.
She probably should have given Zane a little more information when she extended her sister’s dinner invite. But the conversation took a random and she never got around to it. “Something like that. He’s Chief Technology Officer, and co-founder of Rinslet Enterprises.”
Zane’s step faltered. “You meanthatScott McAllister? How do you neglect to mention your sister is engaged to one of the biggest names in the industry?”
Sometimes Riley forgot Zane could be a fan boy. She tugged his hand to get him moving again. “Because I know him, and he’s just another guy.”
“Yeah, okay.” He didn’t sound convinced. He also didn’t let go of her hand as they approached the entrance.
Kenzie looked at their intertwined fingers and then back at Riley, a knowing smile on her lips. Scott glanced at his watch.
Riley glared at her sister, hoping to convey this wasn’t what it looked like.
Kenzie shook her head, still smiling, and turned to Zane. “Hey, stranger.”
“Hey, yourself.” He gave her a brief hug, both of them pulling away awkwardly.
Riley hid her laugh. Neither her sister nor Zane was ever physical, but it showed the most when they were together.
Introductions were made while Scott studied Zane, brow furrowed.
“They won’t hold our table forever.” Scott’s tone was friendly but clipped.
Riley resisted the urge to ask what his problem was. He seemed to have lost the good humor she assumed was an integral part of him. She glanced at her sister. Kenzie’s shocked expression probably mirrored her own.
“Right. Sure.” Kenzie nodded toward the entrance. “We’ll catch up when we’re seated.”
The steakhouse was packed with an eclectic assortment of businessmen drinking and loosening their ties, families, and couples in jeans and T-shirts. Amber light diffused the white tablecloths, and the background music was lost in the chatter filling the room. Riley was grateful, as she usually was, that Kenzie and Scott didn’t go for the higher-end places. She hated getting dressed up to go out to dinner, and she was glad someone had convinced her sister that wasn’t necessary for a happy existence.
Scott was on a first-name basis with most of the staff, and they were seated quickly. Water and drinks were on their table within moments.
The conversation lulled, and Riley shot her sister a helpless look.