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“Are you going to ask her for sex when you actually finish her car?”
“No, of course not.”
“At some point you’re going to have to take money from her, and when you do, well, it’s going to be interesting. I need to stock this place up with some popcorn and beer. Does your dad still keep a cooler in the back?”
“You’re not going to be getting off on whatever it is I have going on with Casey.”
“That’s a tongue twister, isn’t it,” he said.
“Don’t you have a job to do?”
“Yep, but my clients love me and so I can turn up late.” Buster was a general repair guy in town just like him, only Buster often got called out of town because his reputation was that good. “You do know the entire town is going to know about this before the end of dinner.”
“I don’t care. If you were any kind of friend, you’d keep it to yourself.”
“I am the best kind of friend you’re ever going to have. Not only will I tell every single person that I see that I watched Rusty ask Casey out on a date, I’m going to make sure they knew of the sexual tension between you two.”
“There was no sexual tension.”
“Oh, yeah, there was, and believe me when I say this, it was off the charts, smoking hot, and so fucking good.” Buster burst out laughing. “Catch ya later.”
Rusty watched him go and ran a hand down his face. When had his life gotten so complicated?
Is it really complicated?
You asked a woman out on a date. It’s going to be fine. It’ll be more than fine.
****
“I’m terrified,” Casey said, trying on the tenth dress her mother had brought her.
“Why? It’s so easy, and you don’t have anything to worry about.” Abby smiled at her, going to her back and gripping her shoulders. “You look so beautiful. The red really brings out your eyes. He will love this one.”
“I haven’t been on a date in a really, really long time.”
“Then stop worrying about it. There’s nothing to really worry over. Let’s face it, Rusty is a good guy. I’m so pleased you said yes to going on a date with him.”
“Mom, his name is Daniel.”
“Sweetie, everyone has been calling him Rusty for as long as I can remember. He’s good at what he does, and I know for a fact he’s a nice guy. No one has ever said anything bad about him.”
“I didn’t come back home to date.”
“I thought I raised you a lot better than this,” Abby said, folding her arms.
“You did. You totally did, and I’m so sorry.” She pushed some hair off her face. “I shouldn’t even be worrying about this. I’m sorry. I’m not trying to be a pain in the ass.”
“Watch your language, dear. No one likes a bad mouth.” Her mother hugged her close. “I’m so pleased you’re back home.”
“It’s good to be back.” She held her mother close and inhaled her sweet, lemony scent. She always smelled like baked goods, especially lemon cake. Her father’s favorite was lemon cake.
“Ugh, I don’t want to cry, but I can already feel myself welling up.”
“It’s fine, Mom.” She chuckled. “I’m here to stay for some time. You know that.”
“I do. I’ve missed you so much. I wanted to be supportive, but you living out in the big bad city all by yourself, it wasn’t healthy. You’ve just admitted to me you didn’t even date. I mean, how can that even be? You’re my daughter, and I love you so much and you didn’t date.”
She laughed. “It’s fine, Mom.”
“No, it’s not fine to me.” She cupped her cheeks. “I love you, sweetheart, so much.”
“I know. I know.” Since she had been back in town and her parents had gotten home from their date, they had spent the entire time telling her just how much they loved and missed her. It was nice, more than nice, but she didn’t need to hear it every second. Then, of course, she felt bad.
“Do you know where he’s taking you?”
“Not a clue. I’m guessing it’s going to be out to the bar, you know. Cole’s place.”
“Ah, yes, he’s done a lot with the place in the last few years. He even has live bands come and play a couple of times a month. It’s all really modern,” Abby said.
She laughed, but it died in her mouth as she heard the doorbell ring.
“Your father will get it.”
Casey groaned. “Will he do the whole bad cop thing where he promises to hurt Rusty if anything happens to me?”
“You got it. It’s the whole protective dad gene he’s got. You know he likes to take care of you.”
Grabbing her bag, she hesitated. She hated being the kind of person to always carry a bag. What if Rusty wanted to dance tonight? She’d have to hold her bag.
