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But he was already striding in front of her and swinging open the door. Lane stood on the porch, hands tucked in the pockets of his gray slacks and his shirtsleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing impressive forearms. He smiled at Nate. “Hi, is this Dr. Rush’s house?”
Nate stepped back and swept an arm in front of him. “Yep. Come on in. I’m Marin’s brother, Nathan.”
Marin tried not to roll her eyes. Despite Nate’s apparent irritation with her, he was all swagger and smiles for Lane. Never doubt the power of a good-looking guy to bring out Nate’s magnanimous side.
Lane shook Nate’s hand. “Lane Cannon. Good to meet you.”
Nate raked his fingers through the sideswept hair that hung over his forehead, a sure sign he was trying to look cool. Marin choked down an amused snort.
She stepped forward, and Lane sent a warm smile her way. “Wow, you look great.”
“Thanks.” She’d chosen a simple black dress and amped it up with a few silver jewelry pieces. She didn’t want to look like she was trying too hard, but she also had no idea what to expect tonight. What the club was like. What Donovan had in mind for later. Because she assumed there’d be a later based on how he’d looked at her today. Her body stirred at the thought. She grabbed her purse off the sofa. “You ready to go?”
He offered her his arm. “Always ready to take a beautiful woman out on the town.”
Nate sent her an I-told-you-so look and then smiled Lane’s way. “Y’all have fun. Remember, curfew’s at eleven.”
Marin smirked. Nate had probably been waiting to say that one for years. She gave him a look when she passed him. “Be careful at work tonight. And make sure you lock up when you leave.”
He slouched against the doorjamb, looking sullen again. “Yeah, yeah. I got it.”
She was tempted to prod Nathan more, see what was going on with his attitude, but she let it slide for now. Lane was waiting and she didn’t have time for an argument. She gave Nate one last wave, and Lane lead her out to the car. As she settled in the seat, she tried to relax, tried to let the day go and focus on the present. Lane folded himself into the driver’s side and sent a smile her way. “Your brother seems like a good kid.”
“Don’t be fooled. He thinks you’re hot. He’s nice to hot guys.”
Lane chuckled, a deep-in-the-chest, genuine sound. “Well, I’m flattered then. Too bad I don’t have the same effect on his sister.”
He said it with a light tone, so she responded in kind. “I never said you were a strain to look at.”
He turned the key in the ignition and pulled onto the road that led out of The Grove. “True enough. And I absolutely respect this as a friends-only outing. You’ve got nothing to worry about. I’m happy to have the company.”
She clicked her seatbelt into the lock. “I doubt you have trouble finding that.”
“Oh, you’d be surprised.” The orange streetlights flashed over his profile in an uneven pattern, revealing nothing of his expression. “Women find out what I do for a living and either want to save me, send me to church, or put me in jail. Freaks out pretty much everyone. Even some people at work.”
She frowned. “I never thought about it that way. I guess that would be a lot to deal with in a relationship.”
“Yep. It is.” He shifted gears and sped up as they hit the open road. “Which is why it’s probably wise you’ve decided to just be my friend. Our odds are much better.”
She sighed and peered out the window. “Well, I could definitely use one of those.”
“Me, too.” He drummed his fingers along the steering wheel. “It’s one of the things you need to survive with jobs like ours—friends who understand the craziness . . . and/or a steady supply of mood-altering substances.”
She laughed. “Yeah, seems the standard welcome gift around The Grove is wine. It’s a wonder we don’t all end up on the R and R wing.”
“Luckily most of us know our limits. Though they do have hurricanes at the place I’m taking you to tonight. Be warned, that drink has tak
en out more than one employee from The Grove in its day. Tastes sweet and innocent, but before you know it, you’re climbing atop the speakers, pulling off your shirt, and singing along to Katy Perry songs.” He cleared his throat. “Not that I’m speaking from personal experience, of course.”
She laughed. “Katy Perry?”
“It was a bet. I’d had two hurricanes.” He gave her a mock serious look. “I really can’t be held responsible for my actions.”
“Please tell me someone videoed that.”
He looked back to the road. “Marin, be careful. I’m a firework.”
His deadpan tone set her off again and the laugh bubbled out. “I’ll be sure to stick to wine tonight then. You definitely don’t want to hear me sing.”
