Did he actually growl like some wild animal?
Darlene’s eyes flashed and before I could stop her, she stepped around me and into his face. “That’s my girlfriend you’re talking to and about.”
“I understand. Like I said,” he said, his voice dropping to a lower octave. “I can handle you both.”
“As in her girlfriend. As is no one touches my babe’s hot, wet pussy but me.”
Now I spit out the wine.
I wasn’t entirely certain if he even said anything, but when I managed to glance over my shoulder, not only had the cretin left the bar, but it appeared he’d left the restaurant.
“You are terrible,” I told her, choking on my laughter.
“Did you want to go home with Mr. Click Bait?”
“No, but I do have a reputation to uphold,” I shot back, shaking my head.
She winked, lifting her glass. With the television over our head, she was suddenly paying more attention to the screen than to hergirlfriend.
“Did you forget about me?” I mused. “Your boring best friend.”
“Did you hear about the fire?”
“What fire?”
Her entire face pinched. “It’s nothing. I’m sorry I mentioned it.”
“You don’t need to treat me with kid gloves. What fire?”
“A sporting goods store on the edge of town. Huge fire.”
“That’s terrible. Was anyone inside?” A shiver shifted down my spine.
“Four people.” Her face clouded over. “Okay, let’s talk about something else. Like you finding a hunky man. Time for you to get married.”
“What?”
“You heard me. You’re not getting any younger.”
Thank God, my phone rang. “That is so not going to happen. I have a reputation.” A fake laugh left my lips as I scrambled to find my phone in my way too large purse.
“What reputation? I can’t remember the last date you were on. You can’t develop a reputation until you actually go on a date.”
“Look who’s talking,” I teased, surprised and pleased to see my godfather on the line. “Let me get this. Hey, Landen. How are you?”
“I’m doing well, but I have a fawn who needs your expert attention. Is there any chance I can meet you at the sanctuary?”
“A fawn? What happened?”
“Hit by a car. Poor little baby.”
I laughed. My godfather was a big strapping man with a penchant for furry creatures. “I’ll be there in thirty minutes.” The sanctuary. Otherwise known as my parents’ ranch where I’d worked hard to make a place to protect and nurture injured animals, creating an extension of my work as a veterinarian. At least I had a few people who believed my idea was a good one. However, not everyone in town was thrilled and I couldn’t understand why.
“Good deal. I can always count on you.”
I also knew him well enough to realize the fawn was an excuse to check on me, a deed he held with the highest regard. In his eyes, I was still the little girl who’d sat on his lap pulling on his beard. While I adored the man, he’d found creative ways to keep his eye on me, refusing to believe I was no longer that little girl.
“Do you have to go?” Darlene whined.
