McKenna crooked an eyebrow and leveled him with a you’re-kidding glare. “Other than what happened at work? If you hadn’t stepped between us when she wanted more champagne and I cut her off, she probably would’ve hit me.”
“I thought you said you could’ve handled her?”
“It was all bravado.”
“You mean you lied?”
“Potato, po-tah-to,” she said, surprised how much she enjoyed joking with him.
He chuckled. “With all that, I see your point about Campbell.”
When they reached the front door, Zane opened it for them to exit. The temperature had dropped outside when the sun set, leaving a definite fall chill in the air. McKenna wrapped her arms around her. The door closed behind them with a heavy thud, startling her. The town square, except for the Horseshoe’s parking lot and the street parking spaces nearby had cleared out. Shops had closed for the night, their signs and the streetlights casting a glow over the quiet town.
They stood on the sidewalk awkwardly for a moment, the only sound muffled music from the Horseshoe. What could she say? What was the appropriate response and behavior after arguing over industry rules, sharing a mind-blowing-toe-curling kiss, trying to get his grandmother to change her mind about him taking over, getting locked in the chief of police’s office, calling a truce, and dancing with someone?
“I’m glad we reached a truce. I could enjoy working with the guy I met tonight.” She pointed a couple shops down the street. “There’s my car. I can take it from here.”
He cupped her elbow. “My bodyguard service doesn’t end until you’re safely in your car.” He flashed her a quick, crooked grin that sent little quivers shooting through her. “I’m a full-service guy.”
She’d bet he was.
Thoughts of Zane and what else she’d like to do with him bombarded her. She glanced around for a distraction. The display in Dress Like a Dream’s front window caught her eye. A simple brown skirt was paired with a fitted white western-style blouse. A concho belt with turquoise cinched the blouse in at the waist. A chunky turquoise necklace with a large silver heart pendant, a silver turquoise heart in its center, completed the outfit. How would that look on her?
First Grace saying people needed to feel they knew her to trust her. Then Zane saying fitting in more would help her earn people’s trust. Now this outfit in the window catching her eye. Would it hurt to change her style a little? Loosen up? After all, Wishing was less formal than Houston.
“Though I might burst into flames getting that close to a University of Texas orange car,” Zane said, pulling her back to their conversation.
McKenna laughed. “I think you’ll survive.”
Music spilled into the night when the Horseshoe’s door opened behind them, distracting McKenna. A song about getting mud on the tires.
“Zane, there you are. I was afraid I wouldn’t catch you.”
Campbell again. The woman had more than her share of determination.
McKenna nodded to Zane. “And that’s my cue to go.”
“I said I’d see you to your car.”
However, before they took two steps Campbell caught them.
Breathing heavily, her breasts about to pop out of her low-cut, skintight sparkly T-shirt, she grabbed Zane’s forearm. “I can’t believe you left with her when you could’ve had me. You need glasses.”
“Maybe he’s not into rude,” McKenna replied, her voice level and matter of fact despite her exhausted patience.
Her face scrunched with rage, Campbell surged forward. Panic burst through McKenna as she stumbled backward. If Campbell reached her, she was a goner. Holding her hands out in front of her as a shield, McKenna braced, but Zane stepped in front of her. Strong and confident, he created an unmovable barrier.
“Why the hell do you think you’re something special?” Campbell shouted at McKenna over Zane’s shoulder.
“Stay here,” Zane said without looking at McKenna as he encircled Campbell’s waist and hauled her away.
While Zane talked and Campbell screeched, McKenna couldn’t understand the conversation. As the other woman railed, she flapped her arms. McKenna laughed. Much more force and she might get airborne.
Deciding she’d experienced enough drama for a year, McKenna headed for her car, unlocked the door, and slid inside. No one could tarnish her belle of the ball dance, but she knew when to crawl in her pumpkin and head home. She refused to make the same mistake her mother had, getting trampled by women trying to gain Zane’s attention. Tonight it had been Campbell, but it would always be someone.
*
The next morningMcKenna stood in front of Dress Like a Dream waiting for the shop to open. With all the hours she’d put in lately, she’d decided she could go in late today.
