Page 33 of Texas Daze (Texas Montgomery Mavericks)

“How, indeed,” saidMarti.

Damn it. The green-eyed monster awoke andblewfire.

“I know this one will get y’all up on the floor,” the DJ shouted through speakers. “Grab your favorite guy or girl and get on out here.” Rascal Flatts started singing about fast cars andfreedom.

Debbie squealed. “My favorite. Come on, Eli. Let’s get ourmoveon.”

Eli opened his mouth to reply, but Debbie was up and pulling him along. He smiled and followed but his smile looked a tadforced.

Marti glared at the group. “Okay. Which of you asshats invited Grabby Debbie to sitwithus?”

The guys looks confused. Delene and Tina burst outlaughing.

“I swear we didn’t,” Delene said. “Eli was here when she walked in. She zoomed on him like a magnet and then thereshewas.”

“Who cares?” Zack said. “We’re all friends here, right? Nothing wrong with extending the group alittle.”

Delene glared at him and then turned her back. “So, as I was saying, she just parked her buttwithus.”

“And it’s a cute, little butt, right, Chad?”Zacksaid.

By some miracle, Delene did not cold-cock Zack. Instead, she stood and extended a hand to the new lawyer, Michael. “Want todance,Mike?”

“Um, it’s Michaelandsure.”

“Great.” She grabbed his hand and pulledhimout.

“Zack, my man,” said Chad. “You’re playingwithfire.”

Maybe Marti wouldn’t have to plan a good payback for Delene. Tonight might be its own tortureforher.

“So, what’d I miss?” Marti said. She looked around. “Am I going to get a drink or will it beimpossible?”

“Impossible if you wait for a waitress. Want me to go to the barforyou?”

“Thanks, Chad. That’s very sweet. Since I can see how this night is going, get me a bucket of sixbeers.”

He salutedandleft.

The song ended, and despite what appeared to be Debbie trying to talk Eli into the next one, they weaved through the dancers and came back to the table. Eli helped Debbie into her seat and then walked around the mass of friends until he could take the chair next toMarti.

“Hi,”hesaid.

“Hi,yourself.”

Play it cool. Don’t melt all over your chair because he spoke to you.You’recool.

“You saving a danceforme?”

Marti bit her lip and rolled her eyes up, as though in deep thought. “Yeah. I think I can do that, if Debbie doesn’tobject.”

Apparently her green-eyed dragon had taken over hermouth.

Eli smiled but it wasn’t the same lift of lips he’d given Debbie. This time, his full mouth was stretched wide and hiseyeslit.

“I want a slow one.” His voice was deep and rattled through her. Her heart picked up the pace from walktotrot.

“Really?”

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