Lenny chuckled. “We’ll see if you can still tell me that on Saturday morning.”
Amber smiled at herself in the mirror above the sink while she washed her hands. She’d love to think that tomorrow night might be the start of something between Austin and her. Her smile faded; her parents probably wouldn’t love it, though.
~ ~ ~
Dallas came out onto the front porch to meet Austin when he got home. “I was going to apologize, but maybe you should be thanking me?”
“Don’t push it, little brother, don’t push it.”
Dallas grinned. “Okay. I won’t—for now. But, if you don’t ask her out soon, then I will start pushing it. She’s into you—it’s obvious. Just get on with it.”
“You think so?” He regretted the question as soon as it came out.
To his relief, Dallas nodded seriously. “I’d wondered if perhaps you were lusting after some chick who wasn’t interested. But that’s not the case. You say the word, and she’ll—”
“Don’t!” Austin didn’t want to hear whatever Dallas might come up with—that wasn’t to say he wouldn’t wish that she’d do it, but he couldn’t have his brother talking about her that way.
Dallas waggled his eyebrows. “I’ll let you fill in the blanks for yourself, but since you asked, yes, I do think she’s into you. In fact, I’d put money on it. So, would you stop being such a decent guy and get on with it? I’m telling you; she’d be happy to get indecent with you.”
Austin pursed his lips.
“Go on, smile about it!” Dallas laughed. “Though if I were you, I wouldn’t have come home alone.”
Austin blew out a sigh. “The thought had crossed my mind. But it kind of goes with being a decent guy. I already made plans with Colt and Cassie tonight.” He checked his watch. “I’m pushing it now. Please tell me you didn’t forget the apple juice.”
“I didn’t. It’s in the fridge. What’s the deal with that?”
“It’s for Colt and Cassie’s little girl—I’m taking beer for him, wine for her, I didn’t want to leave Sophie out.”
Dallas shook his head. “You’re going to make someone a wonderful wife someday.”
“Don’t start. Not all girls are looking for a bad boy who’ll treat ‘em mean and keep ‘em keen, like you.”
“You’re right. Can I do anything?”
“No. Thanks. Just stay home tonight—you and Roscoe?”
“Sure. We’re planning on pizza and a movie.”
“Just don’t let him have too much pizza.”
“Yes, Mom.”
Roscoe came to greet them as they went inside. Austin scratched his ears. “I can’t stick around tonight, bud. But don’t go getting yourself into any more trouble, okay?”
Roscoe looked up and panted at him.
“Don’t worry. We’ll be good,” said Dallas.
It was only a few minutes after seven when Austin pulled into Colt and Cassie’s driveway. He loved that the two of them lived here now. It had been Cassie’s childhood home when they were all in high school.
As soon as he cut the engine, Sophie came running down the front steps. “Uncle Austin, Uncle Austin. You’re here! I thought you were never going to come.”
She wrapped her arms around his waist as soon as he got out of the SUV. “Sorry I made you wait.”
“And he’s only a few minutes late.” They both turned to see Colt smiling at them.
“I know,” said Sophie. “But I haven’t seen you for ages, and I want you to come down to the beach with me and help me find some more pink stones.”
Colt winked at him over her head. “Maybe after dinner, but you know Cassie wants us to eat first. Why don’t you go and wash your hands?”
Austin felt her little arms tighten around his waist. Then she looked up at him and made a face. “Promise? After dinner? He’s just trying to get you out of it.”
He had to laugh. “I promise.”
She ran back inside the house, and Colt came to take the beer he got out of the back.
“They should still be cold.”
“They are, and I have some anyway.” Colt raised an eyebrow at him. “Are you okay?”
“Of course. Why?”
“I don’t know. You seem … ruffled?”
“No.” He smiled. “Well, maybe a little.”
“Why?”
He had to tell Colt. “Because a lot’s happened since I talked to you earlier. And I kind of asked Amber—”
“You finally asked her out? Awesome!”
“Hmm. Kind of.”
“What does that mean?”
“I asked her if she was going out tomorrow night. And she is. So, I asked her if I could buy her a drink … does that count as asking her out?”
Colt chuckled. “I suppose it could—in your world at least. The important question is, did she understand what you meant?”
He shrugged.
Colt grasped his shoulder and steered him toward the house. “Then, if you ask me, tomorrow night, you’re going to have to make what you meant very plain to her.” He grinned. “Then again, I’m almost as bad as you are when it comes to women. Maybe we need to ask Cassie.”
Austin laughed. “Probably. She’ll set me straight.”
Chapter Three
Amber rubbed a towel through her hair as she came out of the bathroom and went to knock on Jade’s bedroom door. “Are you up?”
“I’m thinking about it.”
“Well, the bathroom’s free.”
“Thanks. Did you make coffee yet?”
Amber laughed. “What would you do if I said no?”
The bedroom door opened, and a bleary-eyed Jade groaned. “I might actually die.”
“Then it’s a good thing I did, isn’t it? Come on, I’ll fix you a cup.”
“That’s okay. I can do it.”
“I’m going to make myself one. I may as well do yours, too.”
“Thanks, sis.” Jade padded after her into the kitchen. “You’re too good to me.”
“I know.”
“I was thinking, do you want to take the day off? Lenny doesn’t need both of us, and you haven’t had a break in weeks.”
Amber frowned. “Are you looking to butter me up so that I’ll owe you one when you want to take off?”
Jade gave her a hurt look. “I want to be offended, but I don’t suppose I can really. You know me too well. But, no, hard as it might be to believe, I worry about you. You haven’t had any fun since we’ve been here. I thought coming to the lake was going to be just what you needed. But nothing’s changed; you’re still so responsible and …” She shrugged. “I’m not criticizing. Don’t think that. I just want to see you happy, and I thought coming here—and getting away from him—might make you happy.”
“It has! I am! Honestly, Jade. I love it here. I’m happy.” She poured two mugs of coffee and Jade sat down at the counter. “I know I’m not out having a wild time or anything, but I’m enjoying life here.”