Page 13 of His North Star
“You’re a tease.”
“But you love me anyway,” I joked, twirling around to grab my purse off the table.
“That I do.”
I stilled. Was that longing in his tone? Nah. Not for me, anyway. More like wishful thinking on my part. I shoved my feet into my booties. Once I was ready to go, he said, “Take care, Mare Bear.”
I immediately responded with our childhood valediction. “See you later, Tyla Gator.”
CHAPTER 4
“You ready to go?” Lys asked, standing on the landing outside my apartment, looking stunning with her straight black hair, naturally tanned skin, and tight dress. Ty was right behind her.
Meeting Ty’s teammate from college had my insides quivering. “What do you know about James?” I yanked my boots and denim jacket on. “Ty only said he’s moved to Kalispell and was looking for friends.” Did they get the hint? Friendship,notboyfriend. I wasn’t sure who was invited tonight, but there better be plenty of people for James to meet.
Lys replied as we walked down the stairs. “I’ve only met him once. He was super nice though. And don’t tell Ty, but crazy hot too.” She stage-whispered the last part.
Ty shook his head with narrowed eyes, keeping his line of sight directly on Lys as we descended the stairs. Would I hold up to someone who could be on a movie screen? I was average, not gorgeous. According to Blake, I was too plain for Hollywood.
“My lips are sealed.” I put my fingers to my lips and twisted, flicking my hand away. “Ty will never hear from me how attractive James is.”
Ty, shaking his head as if he couldn’t believe our conversation, opened the passenger door for Lys. She placed a kiss on his cheek before hauling herself into her seat. I smirked. Lys loved to touch Ty any chance she got.
On the drive, Ty filled me in on James. They’d met at Montana State University where they played rugby together. James recently graduated from veterinary school at Colorado State and got a job at an emergency clinic in Kalispell, which was how Ty reconnected with him. He was twenty-seven, single, and ready for fun.
My knee bounced the longer Ty talked. Unlike the previous men Ty had set me up with, James met all the criteria of a catch. Why couldn’t Ty have reunited with James a year ago, before I met Blake?
We parked a few blocks away from The Craggy Range, and immediately my mouth went dry. Regardless that tonight was just for fun, my insides were protesting. My shoulders tensed and my legs stiffened as we strolled to the restaurant. We passed quaint storefronts, most with a small-town western feel to the decor.
I stumbled ahead of Ty and Lys. I’d been the third wheel far too often lately. As friends, James could even out our numbers.IfI made it through the night. With how uptight I was, I wasn’t sure he’d want to part as anything other than acquaintances.
As I approached the door, I turned around to ask Ty and Lys if they were going to continue to walk as slow as molasses. Before I got a word out, the door flung open right into me. I stumbled forward, shouting “Ouch!” while losing my balance. Pain radiated down the back of my body. Ty’s strong arms caught me before my knees hit the sidewalk.
Oh man, oh man. That hurt!I blinked back the stinging tears.
“You okay?” Ty asked. His eyes were soft, his brow furrowed.
I rubbed my head, a bump already forming. “I think so,” I croaked.
Lys and someone else’s shadows hovered over us. Lys scolded the stranger. “James! You hurt your date.”
What?Did Lys just say date? Oh, heck no. Nuh-uh. Ty promised he wouldn’t do this again. I fisted my hands, ready to tell Ty off and bolt.
A deep voice said, “I am so sorry! I saw you guys walking up and went to open the door for you. She turned right as I swung it open. Are you all right?” He asked me.
More like he threw the door open. That swing packed quite the punch. I stepped out of Ty’s grasp and turned. I blinked several times as heat spread down my neck.
W.O.W.
I couldn’t stop staring. He wasn’t as tall as Ty, but his shoulders were broader. There was no way he kept up on rugby—what vet had time for that?—but his build screamed that he was conditioned to play. He’d styled his black hair with a slight flip in the front. His hazel eyes, which were on mine, stole the show. They were olive and bronze swirled together, and absolutely mesmerizing.
“I’ll be okay,” I said breathlessly. What was a little pain when I got to be in this man’s company the rest of the evening? And did I say we’d only be friends? Bless Ty for setting this up as a date.
I ran my fingers through my hair, smoothing it in place.
Ty pointed between us, a slight frown on his face. “James, this is Maren. Maren, James.”
I slipped my hand into his and shook it with a firm grip, a soft, flirty smile on my lips.
