Page 33 of Easy On Me

Well, of course. My friend was amazing, and anyone would be blessed to land her. Running my thumb around the rough edge of the bottle cap, I studied Maggie. That unease whispered over me again. She appeared happy enough in the curve of Noah’s arm while they talked with Mama Nancy and her parents.

Jase followed my line of sight and twisted the top off his beer. “Maybe she’ll be good for him.”

Maybe.

A black SUV rumbled into the drive, slotting in next to Jase’s truck. Michael Bartlett emerged from the driver’s seat and soon Willa Jae tumbled from the back seat, running to her grandparents.

We reached the group, just as Michael finished hugging our mamas and shaking hands with the men.

“Tyler.” He drew me into a hard hug, holding on a moment longer than necessary, just like always. He stepped back and smiled, gaze dipping over me. “You look good, girl.”

I felt Jase’s displeasure rolling off him. Ignoring it and Michael’s grin, I wrapped my arm through Jase’s. “Michael, this is Jase Hatcher–”

“We’ve met a couple of times.” Michael extended his hand. “You fixed one of our sweepers last month.”

“I did.” Jase’s hand closed around Michael’s in his customary firm shake. He anchored his other arm around my waist like planting a flag to signal he’d claimed me. Like I was Alaska or something.

Michael knew it, too, a smirk playing about his lips. I’d thought about hooking up with him once or twice when I was younger and he was freshly divorced – but his ex was psycho and I didn’t need the hassle.

As the night unfolded, it became obvious Jase fit in here in a way Noah didn’t. He pitched in without being asked, whistling as he carried trash bags to the cans at the side of the house, while Maggie had to nudge Noah toward helping Michael clean and store the fryer.

She sidled up to me, snaking her arm around my waist to pinch me. “Okay, you two are adorable together. He did not like Mikey hugging you.”

“I wouldn’t be all that okay with another woman hugging him like that.” I made a face. I’d make sure it didn’t happen with Michael again, either. I just hadn’t thought far enough ahead earlier. I watched Jase stop by Mr. Bartlett to help fold tables. “I should have stepped away.”

“So what did Mama Nancy think?”

“She liked him.” I smiled, remembering, then turned to look at Maggie. “What about Noah and your parents?”

She grimaced. “Daddy isn’t impressed.”

I wasn’t either, but I didn’t know him. And Maggie seemed into him. Maybe she saw something I didn’t. But Jase’s opinion about Noah lingered, nudging unease along under my skin. I trusted him and valued what he thought so–

He glanced my way, like he could sense me thinking good things about him. A slow grin curved his lips, and he winked, arms flexing as he folded in the table legs.

Warmth flashed through me, physical desire because I knew when we made it back to Chandler County, I’d see those same muscles flexing as he held himself up above me, thrusting inside me, and something deeper, more visceral, an emotion I didn’t know how to name yet.

“Oh.” Maggie nudged me, and I turned my head, dragging my attention from his handsome face and that smile, to find her goggling at me, eyes wide. She squeezed me in a tight, one-armed hug of absolute joy. “Oh, so it’s like that with y’all.”

“Mags, what are you talking about?” My heart fluttered in my chest, stealing my ability to breathe, and I could feel his gaze, but much differently than I’d felt Elizabeth Hall’s gaze earlier.

“That man is more than into you, sweetheart.” She laughed, her sweet, bright chortle that normally grounded me. “That right there is a man falling in love.”

I jerked my head sideways, staring at her, and she laughed once more, holding me close. My throat closed up, refusing to push a denial to my lips.

“And know what makes it better?” With a wide smile, she popped my ass. “You’re falling for him, too.”

Chapter Eight

Tyler

Head bent against the first few drops of rain, I hustled across the parking lot and scrambled into my driver’s seat. Sheesh, that wind, coupled with the unexpected shower, was cold. I pushed the start button and toyed with the climate settings until warm air rushed over me.

My phone buzzed in my back pocket, and I lifted my butt to tug it free. Dropping it on my thighs, I punched on the heated seat, melting into the leather with relief. Our GM was warm-natured, and the inside of the dealership was about as chilly as the winter evening.

More comfortable, I lifted my phone, expecting to see a text from Maggie or Jase.

Cycle deviation detected.