Bayou Christmas (Cypress Cove #2) - Suzanne Jenkins Page 0,49
he is. At least before he got fresh, work was fun and he teased all of us and horsed around. Now he’s all business.”
“Yeah, well, be happy for the professionalism because I was about to write him up.”
The music started up again, and Amber saw Dave tapping his phone to the beat.
“Let’s dance,” she said.
“Really?” He looked at her sidelong, not sure if she was teasing him or not.
“Really. I love zydeco and I might as well let it seep into my body. I’ll do like you said, pretend I’m making love to you standing up.”
He slid out of the booth and offered her his hand, smiling down at her. “We might have to cut the evening short if it gets too wild.”
“I’ll try to behave myself,” she said, whispering. “You’re so irresistible…”
“Okay, knock it off. Duly noted.”
At ten Justin and Maggie said goodnight after winning a dinner for two. The dog had been alone for four hours, and that was their limit.
Maggie went out of her way to speak to Amber. “I’m truly happy for you and Dave,” she said, smiling. “You’re perfect for each other.”
“We are?” Amber asked, frowning.
“Trust me, you are. I’m glad Justin’s brother has someone to love.”
“Aw, well, that’s so nice of you.”
“Come on, Maggie. Brulee waits.”
They waved and left the roadhouse.
“They’re worried about leaving the dog alone,” Amber said. “They sound like me.”
“Having that dog rescue will be a good excuse to never leave Bayou Cottage again. I bet she’s got that at the back of her mind.”
“Hmmm, interesting.”
“Yeah, she’s perfect for my brother, who is kind of a hermit himself.”
“Justin? No way.”
“Yes. You don’t know him. He’d be happy if he could just ride Smokey over to Bayou Cottage and then never leave.”
On the ride back to Bayou Cottage, Justin held onto Maggie’s hand, bringing it to his lips to kiss from time to time.
“We won our first dance contest,” he said, looking at her, and they laughed out loud.
“Our first and last. I got nervous when the owner asked us to come back tomorrow night.”
“Ha! Right. No Sunday roadhouse dancing for this couple. By the way, are you coming with to the horse preserve tomorrow?”
“Oh, I’m having lunch with Gus tomorrow. I’m sure Grace will be there at the preserve.”
“And Amber,” Justin said, chuckling. “Thank you for tonight. For eating with my brother and his new girlfriend. That relationship has thrown me for a loop.”
“Yeah, but they seem genuine,” Maggie said. “Is it weird for you?”
“No. Not at all. I don’t think of it, and it was not even a one-night stand. It was a one-hour stand.”
They drove in silence until they reached the gate. “I’ll get it,” Maggie said. “I’ll race you up to the house.”
“No, just get back in the truck,” he said, laughing.
“Nope, I need to work off some of those ribs and potato salad.”
She hopped out of the truck, unlocked the combination and opened the gate, waiting for him to drive through.
“Are you staying?” she called out.
Hanging his head out the window, he called back, “Can I?”
And she gave him the thumbs-up and closed and locked the gate.
Chapter 9
Sunday morning, Justin got up early to head over to the wild preserve. He leaned over to kiss Maggie goodbye. But on the forehead. She’d claimed morning breath.
“I’m so glad we’re okay,” he whispered. “Thank you for last night.”
“Text me when you get a chance. I’ll leave here around eleven thirty.”
“Okay. Love you, sweetheart.”
Smiling, she closed her eyes and nodded, not wanting to open her mouth when he was so close.
“You’re a riot. If I die today, you’ll regret not kissing me one more time.”
Frowning, she got up and climbed out of bed. “That was a terrible thing to say. I’ll brush my teeth.”
He laughed, following her into the bathroom and watching her, coming up behind her to thread his hands under her shirt. “Your boobs moving around when you brush make me crazy.”
“You’re making me crazy,” she said, watching him in the mirror. She didn’t mean sexually either, but left it at that.
She brushed, and they kissed once more. “I’ll go down with you and let the dog out.”
“She’s already been. Peed and fed.”
“Well, I won’t be able to get back to sleep now, so I’ll go down and make coffee.”
“Made.”
“Wow, you’re so efficient.”
“I want you to think you can’t live without me.”
“Justin, I can’t live without you. That’s a given. But morning breath is not acceptable.”
They laughed and hugged once more before he left. She stood on the