Page 53 of Keeping Guard

The only thing tempering her excitement was her worry for her father. He hadn’t said what stage his cancer was, and she hadn’t thought to ask. It had to be in the early stages since he had annual physicals. She also wanted to know what treatment was planned for him, and she’d find that out at dinner. It really would be best if Noah didn’t come with her so she could have a serious talk with her dad.

“In here,” she said when they came to a bar and grill. “Joseph loves their cheeseburgers.”

“You’re a nice person, princess.”

His compliment warmed her, but not as much as the hand he put on her back did. Dalton had never complimented her or rested his hand on her as if he liked touching her, and until now, she hadn’t realized how much she had been missing.

“I’ll wait out here with Lucky,” Noah said.

“Be back in a few.” While she waited for her order to be ready, she watched Noah through the front window, smiling when he leaned over and said something to Lucky while running his hand down the dog’s back...the same dog he swore he didn’t want any part of.

Noah could pretend all he wanted that he didn’t care about anything, but the man had a soft heart. That was the only soft thing about him, though. Her gaze slid over his shoulders and the muscles that flexed as he bent down to pet Lucky. From there, her eyes traveled down, past a trim waist to the firm butt encased in a pair of well-worn jeans. She’d never been a butt person, believing her turn-on was a man’s eyes, but then she’d never had Noah’s behind to admire before.

“He’s pretty hot,” the waitress said as she set a to-go bag on the counter.

Peyton tore her gaze away from Noah. “Who?”

The girl grinned. “The man you’re drooling over. Is he yours?”

She wished. “He’s just a friend.”

“Uh-huh.” The girl shook a finger at her. “We don’t eat a man up with our eyes when he’s just a friend, and you were eating him alive.”

Peyton laughed. “I totally was.”

“Well, here’s to getting lucky tonight,” she said after Peyton paid.

“Uh, thanks.” She smiled as she walked out. One could hope, right?

Joseph picked up his guitar and started playing when they stopped in front of him.

“I know this one.” She glanced at Noah. “Do you?”

“Yep. It’s ‘Two Is Better Than One’ from the band Boys Like Girls.”

“Who sang it on their album?” Other than Joseph, she’d never met anyone who knew songs like she did, and it was pretty cool that they had that in common.

“Taylor Swift.” He bumped his arm against hers. “You’re going to have to try harder to stump me.”

“Hmm, I see a name-that-song war on the agenda. When I win, I want a date for my prize.”

“I don’t date.”

“No? Then I guess you better win.” Now that the idea was in her head, she really wanted a real date with him.

“And what do I get when I win? Because I’m going to.”

“Don’t count on it, but on the slim chance you do, what do you want?”

He glanced at Joseph. “I’ll tell you later.”

Was he thinking of something dirty? Something that would include turbocharged tingles? Lordy, she hoped so.

Joseph set down his guitar after finishing the song. Amusement was in his eyes as he shifted his gaze from her to Noah and then back to her. “Looks like you found your match, Miss Peyton.”

Had she ever! She glanced at Noah. “Oh, I don’t know. I’m confident he’s going to have to plan a date.” All she got on that was a grunt. Was she pushing him too hard? “Anyway, here’s a burger.” She set the container down, then pulled a five-dollar bill from her pocket and dropped it in his cup.

“Why don’t you date?” she asked Noah as they walked to her loft.