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The computer programmer barely offered a nod to her and the others before ushering Gina toward the door. Her friend tossed an apologetic smile over her shoulder and Britt grinned to let her know all was fine. Once they were gone, she let her frown free.
“Friendly guy,” Joel commented with more than a little sarcasm.
Across the table, Jayne made a face. “You’d think he’d at least try to join in the conversation instead of sitting there looking bored.”
Gina’s parents had introduced the two, probably hoping he could talk her back into the programming world she’d gone to college for and then turned her back on to follow her dreams. Britt wondered if she stuck it out with the guy in deference to them, or did she really have feelings for him? Either way, she hoped Gina stayed true to her heart.
The truth of that thought hit hard and started her own heart pounding. Maybe that’s what she should consider doing.
“We need to get going, too,” Casey said with a glance at his watch. “The movie starts in twenty minutes.”
“Any of you guys want to come with?” Jayne invited.
Beside her, Randy pulled out his wallet. “What do you say, Britt? You got plans?”
She couldn’t help a glance at Joel. He met her gaze over the rim of his glass as he drained the remainder of his beer. Something indefinable in those eyes kept her pulse tripping at its elevated clip. After setting the empty glass down, he got to his feet and set a twenty on his bill. “Thanks for the company. Nice to meet you, Jayne. You all have a good night.”
Disappointment crowded in as he turned away. Without giving herself a chance to think of the wisdom of her actions, she said, “Joel. Can you wait a minute?”
He stopped and faced them again. His gaze shifted from her to Randy and back, reminding her about the movie. She got up and pushed her chair in before resting a hand on Randy’s shoulder. “I’m going to pass on the movie, but thanks anyway. Have fun and I’ll see you at work tomorrow, Case.”
Muscles bunched beneath her palm, and she withdrew her hand when Randy rose to his feet. “I should probably get some things done at home. See you guys later.” He inclined his head. “Joel.”
He nodded back as Randy turned to leave after Casey and Jayne. Once they were gone, Britt took a deep breath and looked up at Joel. She wasn’t exactly sure why she’d asked him to wait, so she seized on the only excuse she could think of.
“Did you bring my SD card with you?”
He slipped his hands into his front pockets and hunched his shoulders. “It’s at my apartment.”
“Oh.”
“You’re welcome to follow me and pick it up.”
The offer, in that low voice of his, started her pulse skipping along again. “Um…”
“I’ve got ice cream.”
His persuasive smile sparked her own. “What kind?”
“Caramel fudge swirl.”
“Caramel and fudge, can’t say no to that.”
He motioned toward the door with his head. “After you.”
They parted ways in the parking lot, then she followed him through Estes Park, wondering what the heck she was doing.
You know exactly what you’re doing.
She sucked in a shaky breath and blew it back out slowly. True.
Joel pulled into the driveway of a duplex, and she parked her truck curbside on the street. She ducked her head to peer across the passenger seat. After another deep breath, she stepped out and crossed the driveway to the door he held open for her.
“Have a seat. I’ll be right back.”
He directed her to the living room and continued toward the back, to the kitchen, she assumed. Her nerves were too on edge to sit calmly and wait, so she remained standing by the couch. For some reason, she’d expected more of a bachelor pad, with dark furniture and maybe some wildlife pictures—not the generic flower prints and light, neutral furniture. It reflected none of his dynamic personality.
The only signs of him were a jacket slung over a chair, and a pair of hiking boots by the door next to a backpack. There were no personal pictures, no magazines on the coffee table, not even any mail lying around.
