AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Lily’s phone rang as they got into her SUV, and she sighed, not wanting to talk to Delia, preferring to hang out with just Vickie tonight. She let the call go to voice mail and dropped her cell back into her purse.
“Who are you avoiding?” Vickie asked, settling on the passenger seat.
“Delia. I’ll call her tomorrow. Remember, you agreed to leave when I’m ready, regardless of how long we’ve been there.” She kept bouncing back and forth between looking forward to seeing Reed and fretting over what he might say. Would he come clean about his identity last week, or act as if this was their first encounter since she had returned from Florida? She couldn’t decide which reaction she would prefer.
“No problem, Lil,” Vickie assured her. “If nothing else, it will put an end to living with anxious speculation over your inevitable reunion. Eagle’s Nest is much closer to the Kincaid ranch than Casper.” She flicked Lily quick, sly, glance. “Maybe, subconsciously, that’s why you bought a place in the small suburb. Anyway, you mentioned his brother and fiancée signed on with Creative Events for their wedding. There’s no way around not running into Reed again at some point. May as well get it over with.”
Lily’s memory lapse about that fact proved she still needed to come to terms with her behavior last weekend. “Sometimes I dislike it when you add a dose of common sense into the equation, but I’ll have you know, I wasn’t thinking about Reed Kincaid a few weeks ago when I bought the house. I like the big yard.”
“You always did enjoy tending your gardens, and we benefitted when you shared the produce.”
They reached the highway, the headlights cutting through the dark, both of them keeping an eye out for potential deer crossings while Lily tried not to second-guess her decision to go to Casey’s. Vickie was right; she would lose sleep over running into Reed again.
“I am planning a garden, but I also want a dog. John didn’t care for pets.”
“I get spoiling privileges.”
“Sure,” she replied as she pulled into the crowded parking lot in front of the renovated roadside club.
Strolling to the well-lit door, Vickie pointed toward the end of the building. “I never could talk Levi into visiting their playroom upstairs, even though he still threatens to haul me up there when I get bitchy.”
“John didn’t share Reed’s interest in that lifestyle but told me all about it. He went as a guest one night before we met and admitted watching was a turn-on. But then, he found women in general a turn-on.”
Opening the door, Vickie replied, “At least now you can admit his faults with a touch of humor. That’s progress. Let’s go achieve some more progress.”
Lily didn’t recognize the country western tune resonating with the laughter and loud voices spilling from the cavernous room as they entered. The vacant tables were few, but they weaved through the throng until they found one in between the center dance floor and mechanical bull in the far corner. Everything appeared the same as the last time she and John were here, over two years ago. Between bodies, she caught a glimpse of Jordon Myers, the club manager, manning the bar, but so far, no other familiar faces. That didn’t stop her from rubbing her clammy hands down the sides of her denim skirt before sitting down.
“Save our seats while I get drinks, okay?” Vickie asked, leaning down to talk over the noise level.
Nodding, she mouthed, “Rum and Coke.”
With a thumbs-up, Vickie disappeared into the crowd, leaving Lily alone. The club scene had never appealed to her, not even in her younger days before marrying. She’d spent enough weekends clubbing and dancing during college to last her a lifetime. Now she preferred quieter places and entertainment, like eating pizza and popcorn while watching a mystery movie. Then again, the man approaching her with an engaging smile could change her mind. Tall and lean, his wavy brown hair slid forward across his brow as he braced his hands on the table.
“Care to dance, darlin’?”
An ego-boosting feminine thrill shot through her, close but with less intensity than she’d felt when Reed found her on the patio last week. Lily only allowed herself one second of hesitation before nodding, determined to have fun tonight.
Taking his hand, she went up on her toes to tell him, “It’s been ages since I’ve danced like that. Are you sure?” She hoped the two-step moves would come back to her as easy as riding a bike again.
“I’m a damn good teacher, so yes, I’m sure. I’m Matt.” He tugged her onto the dance floor, stopping at the edge of the gyrating patrons instead of squeezing into the middle of them.
“Lily,” she said, grateful for his insight.
Without a lot of people bumping into them, she followed his lead and fell into the rhythm with no problem. Her tense muscles loosened, and her misgivings about coming out tonight were forgotten as she focused on not making a fool of herself. Her breathing grew labored by the end of the second song, and she planned to call it quits, but a slow ballad started next, and Matt pulled her into his arms.
Lily shuddered, the closer contact reminding her of Reed’s firmer hold, his taller, broader body pressing against her, the memory so vivid it could have happened yesterday instead of last week.
“Relax.” Matt smiled with reassurance. “No pressure for anything except a dance.”
She tried and leaned into him, just getting comfortable with the contact when she looked over his shoulder and spotted Reed at the door. An electric jolt went through her, her blood warming seeing his gaze zeroed in on her. Even from halfway across the spacious, crowded room, she could detect the tight set to his jaw.
“You okay?” Matt asked, concern reflected in his tone.
He seemed so nice and attentive, she asked herself why she now preferred Reed’s company. “Sorry. I saw someone I haven’t seen in a while is all.”One week.Before she could gather her wits, Reed came toward her, and she held her breath, wondering what he intended to do and say.
Reed wasn’t prepared to see Lily at Casey’s tonight, but his eyes were drawn like magnets toward the dancers. He would notice that long, mahogany braid anywhere. He paused a moment, adjusting to the surge of heat rushing through his veins at this unforeseen curveball. His heart pounding in reaction, he watched her laugh, her skirt flaring around her calves with her fast, two-stepping moves, her face suffused with pleasure then turning uncertain as the music slowed to a ballad and her partner pulled her closer. Recalling with a stab of jealousy the press of those soft curves against his body and her whispered pleas propelled him forward.
He hoped Matt Wilson wouldn’t take affront as he placed a hand on his neighbor and friend’s shoulder and asked, “Mind if I cut in? I haven’t seen Lily in a while.”
