Chapter Thirteen

“So, you and Night are an item?”

Summer nearly choked on her soda at the blunt question. Coughing a bit, she managed to squeak out, “Why do you think that?”

Dillon, true to his word, had driven them to a nearby fast food joint, insisting they go inside to eat. She’d balked for various reasons. The fact she didn’t have her purse and thus no money led the list. Also, she yearned to return to Night, melt into his strength, hide her face in his broad chest, and let the world move on without her for a while. Her chaperone had waved off her excuses, insisting she order something to eat and drink or he would order for her. She’d nearly called his bluff, but the stern expression on his face shouted of his stubborn nature and truthfulness.

“I’ve never seen the boss hang out with a woman or even really talk about one. When we got the call, all of us were quite surprised.” He popped a French fry into his mouth.

She shrugged. “I’m his mother’s physical therapist.”

“And?”

“And what? He feels responsible since I was taken from his home.”

Dillon shook his head. “Not buying that. I may be dumb, but I’m not blind. He couldn’t wait to get his hands on you, pushed the limits to make sure we got to you immediately. We work better in the dark, but he wouldn’t hear of it.” After a long drink, he continued. “Besides, that reunion said a lot.” He grinned slightly.

She sighed dramatically. “Okay. I’ve been bursting to tell someone, might as well be you. Night and I are madly in love, are planning a shotgun wedding next week, and expecting our first child in seven months.”

His eyes widened as his mouth dropped open. A moment later, he shook his head. “Almost had me.”

She smiled, enjoying the more relaxed teasing. Dillon proved easy to talk to, non-threatening, a good lunch partner. Something she really needed, considering her rough day and Night’s absence. “You don’t believe me?” She initially didn’t believe her queasy stomach would stand for food or her nerves would settle enough to warrant a try, but with Dillon’s lighthearted teasing and company, she found her rattled senses stabilizing and her belly hankering for a meal.

He snorted. “You make a decent actress, but I have an advantage. Known the boss for a few years now. That’s not his style.”

“Well, darn.” Summer bit a piece of her hamburger.

“Gonna fess up?” He chewed another fry and swallowed.

“Honestly, I really don’t know. He helped me fix a gate at my house. If that’s the basis for a relationship, I might have tried it sooner.”

“Sounds reasonable to me.” He shot her a grin. “Singles are matching up while grocery shopping these days, why not working on a busted gate?”

“Are you always this…cheerful?” She looked up him, noting his dark blond hair and deep, brown eyes which held equal parts intelligence and amusement. He could have passed for a college frat boy, but she knew he had to be older and wiser, less binge drinking and more superhero saving the world.

“My fiancée and I are planning to marry in a couple of months. I can’t wait to start a family, especially since I’m more picky on which missions I go on. What can I say? I’m damned happy.”

Summer met his smile. “Congratulations. For what it’s worth, I think she made a great catch.”

“So did you.”

Blinking, she took another drink from the plastic cup. “Huh?”

“Night. He’s a good man.”

“Yes, he is.” She agreed, not quite sure of the direction of his thoughts.

Dillon flashed a smile. “Take my advice. Hang onto him. He’s a keeper and you’ll never regret it.”

She dropped her head into her hands. “Good grief. Don’t tell me. You’re one of those never say die matchmakers?”

He threw back his head and laughed, deep and loud. “As a matter of fact…”

A low groan escaped her throat. “I’m doomed.”

“I prefer to say you’re one lucky woman.”

* * * *

Halfway through her meal a customer plopping their tray on the next table drew Summer’s attention. Sitting facing the back wall in a booth, she hadn’t realized anyone had come near. Glancing over, she found another familiar face.

Spoon smiled at her before yanking the table closer, butting it up against hers and Dillon’s. A moment later, the others joined them, Cale scooting his brother over to sit beside him. Night brought up the rear, setting his tray down then sliding in next to Summer, cozy without being cramped.

Her heart lifted in happiness at seeing him again.

He smiled at her, gave her a peck on the cheek then turned his attention to Dillon. “Has he been harassing you with twenty questions?”

“Questions, sorta. Harassing, not at all.”

Dillon winked at her, earning a growl from Night. Nonplussed, he stuffed more fries into his mouth.

“I wanted to take the pretty lady to lunch. Why did Dillon get to instead of me?” Spoon pouted before sipping his drink.

Night rolled his eyes. “Because Dillon is nearly married and wouldn’t be making a pass at her like you would.”

Spoon gasped in obvious drama. “I’m a perfect gentleman.”

“Sometimes.” Loco tossed in. “Sometimes you can be a gorilla, too.”

“Hey! That was uncalled for, you shrimp.”

“I’m not a shrimp, but Cale is a walrus.”

Cale glared at the man sitting next to him. “Watch it, Loco. I’ll kick your ass from here to Sunday.”

“Yeah, yeah. Like to see you try.”

Summer’s attention snapped from one to the other as she turned her head at alarming speed trying to keep up with the rapid fire banter. Amusing and entertaining, she couldn’t help but smile at all of them and their behavior toward one another. Like brothers, they prodded and poked, but she could see if things got tough, they would have each other’s backs.

Night leaned close. “See what I have to put up with?”

She chuckled. “Looks like a barrel of monkeys to me.”

The corners of his mouth twitched. “Something like that.”

“Gives you practice for parenthood,” she answered, tongue in cheek.

His eyebrow shot up. “Is that a hint?”

Her face heated immediately, much to the delight of the guys, who stared at her with all too-interested expressions on their faces.

“She’s pregnant? Night is gonna be a daddy?” Spoon crowed from the other side of the makeshift table.

“Oh, good grief.” Summer buried her crimson-stained face in her hands, peeking through parted fingers.

“I don’t think so.” Night shrugged the comment off.

Cale picked up the conversation. “Maybe we should stop by a pharmacy, get one of those pregnancy tests.”

“No, no. That’s not necessary.” Summer sat up straight. Perhaps if she tried to reason with them, they would foray into someone else’s personal life. One look at their expressions told her differently. They reminded her of a dog after a bone, intent and determined.

“So, she already knows she’s pregnant. When are you due?” Dillon asked from across the table.

She lashed out with her foot, catching his shin. The scamp only grinned wider. Men.

“I’m not going to be a father.” Night declared in a flat tone.

Loco’s eyes widened. “Oh, so she’s pregnant by another man, but you’re going to raise the child as yours. That’s very noble and caring of you.”

Night swore under his breath. “I’m going to shoot you after all.”

Summer burst out laughing. She didn’t need television when she had live comedy such as this with her dinner. Night reminded her of a kindergarten child, grumbling with all the teasing, who threatened to take all his marbles and leave. Perhaps men really were kids at heart. One thing was for certain, their picking at one another helped to distract her from her recent ordeal and calmed her for the time being. Later, she would probably break down, but right now the humorous bickering helped steady her immensely.

“Shooting a federal official is frowned upon and will put you in the big house.” Loco informed them all.

Cale snorted. “I’m pretty sure if it’s another federal official doing the shooting, it’s a bit different.”

“What do you know about it?” Spoon asked, chomping through his double-decker hamburger.

“I’ve got fancy cards.”

“I bet I have more than you do.” Spoon declared.

“I have the most.” Loco declared. “Marines always have the most.”

“Yeah, right. I’m a SEAL. I can match anything you got and top it.” Dillon promised, slurping loudly on his empty cup.

Summer blinked, unable to wipe the smile from her face. The more she listened, the more she decided she liked Night and his team. No. More than that. She adored them. All tall and handsome, walking romance novel cover models in the flesh. They took on bad guys, came out the victor, then lived to argue about who had the most identification cards in their wallet over cheeseburgers and a soda. Surely, women other than her dreamed for such a man to flash into her life, pull her into the saddle in front of him, wrap his strong arms around her, and sprint off into the sunset to live happily ever after. If they paused for a bit of ride ‘em cowgirl, all the better.

They put her at ease quickly, dashing out her remaining fears and pent up anxiety. Night nudged her side, sharing a look with her, one that made her belly flop with its intensity. Not that she minded since she could easily fall into them, lose herself, and let the world go on without her and him for the moment.

“Oh, boy. They’re making goo-goo eyes at one another.”

Summer glanced over, a sudden fact clicking into her mind. “How did you guys get here? Dillon and I took the car.”

The guys shrugged. Night just smirked. “Magic.”

“Huh?” She considered the possibilities for a moment. Sure, they could have walked or run, but where would they stash the bad guy? What driver in their right mind would pick them up as hitchhikers? Granted they were the good guys, but four men dressed in all black, carrying weapons probably didn’t make too many people want to pull over and open their door. Nice guns. Hop in if you promise not to carjack me.

“And what did you do with…with…the bad guy?” Though curious, she wasn’t entirely sure she wanted to know many details.

Dillon chuckled. “Bad guy? Is that the new term?”

“What happened to criminal?”

“How about fiend?”

“Perp?”

Night cleared his throat. “He’s in the hands of the proper authorities. The car is a rental.” He stared the others down before whispering in her ear. “You and I get to drive back home alone.”

“What about the children?” She muttered in his ear.

His lips turned up. “They can drive themselves back. We’re going to be too busy making goo-goo eyes at one another.”

Her face flamed, sending the group into chuckles. Of course, they would have the hearing of a dog. Neanderthals.