Fight Like You've Never Lost (Summer Lake #14) - S.J. McCoy Page 0,51
that would drive her nuts, but it was okay. It was okay because she knew she’d see him when he could.
He was doing his job—whatever that really meant. She wasn’t with him because their circumstances didn’t allow it, and that was okay with her. She didn’t need to be with him all the time. It’d probably drive her nuts if she were. What mattered was knowing that he wanted her, that he wanted to be with her. She smiled as that familiar surge of happiness washed over her—he loved her! He told her all the time.
“Hi, Leanne.”
She looked up to see Dan standing by her table. “Hey, you. Are you by yourself?”
“No, Jack and Laura have gone to the bar. I said I wanted a word with you first.”
“Why, what’s up?”
“I wanted to warn you not to ask too many questions. Laura’s had a hard time lately and she doesn’t like talking about it. You’re usually … you know …”
She had to laugh. “You mean I shouldn’t interrogate her?”
“Yeah. That. Sorry.”
She touched his arm. “Don’t worry about it, Danno. I know what I’m like. I’m glad you warned me. I won’t be my usual in-your-face self. I’ll be a polite stranger. How about that?”
“Thanks. Here they come.”
Leanne couldn’t help thinking about Ryan. He hadn’t allowed her to be a polite stranger with him. He’d broken down her walls and worked his way inside. And she loved it. But she was good at playing the role with other people.
She watched curiously as Laura and Jack approached the table. Laura was a tall, svelte brunette. She was beautiful, but she had a wary look about her. Leanne got the feeling that they’d become friends. Laura might look wary right now, but she wasn’t some beaten down scared-ass chick. She was a fellow fighter. It was obvious.
Jack … she let her eyes travel over him. He was one good-looking guy. He was like Dan, only more so: taller, broader shoulders, the same dark hair and brown eyes. Oh, and that smile …
“Hi.” He held his hand out to shake with her. “Nice to meet you, Leanne. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
She had to laugh. “Uh-oh. I don’t know what I should say to that.”
Jack smiled. “Don’t worry. It was all good. Dan thinks the world of you. So, that means you’re awesome.”
She smiled back at him. It was the kind of thing that people said all the time, but when it came to Dan and to people who understood Dan, it wasn’t just a platitude, it was true. “Likewise.”
Jack nodded and turned to Laura. She held her hand out to shake with Leanne, too. “Nice to meet you.”
“You, too. Dan says you’re moving here?”
Laura nodded.
There was something about her that reached out and touched Leanne. She just knew that the two of them could end up being good friends—if Laura didn’t shut herself down because of whatever she’d been through. “I hope you’re up for making a new girlfriend? I could use one.”
Laura met her gaze as if weighing her up for the first time, instead of just dismissing her as one of Dan’s friends who she’d have to endure an evening with. She nodded, but Leanne could tell she wasn’t convinced.
“Well, if you have any time free at the weekend, I’m taking myself into town shopping. I’d love some company.”
Laura nodded again.
Leanne knew she could have waited and asked later in the evening, but this way she was planting the seed and giving Laura time to consider whether she’d want to.
Dan smiled at her gratefully. “Let me guess, another whole new wardrobe?”
Leanne laughed. “What can I say? I like clothes.” She winked at Laura. “And shoes and purses and jewelry.”
Jack laughed. “You’ve said the right thing there.”
“Jewelry?” Leanne raised an eyebrow at Laura.
“Yeah. I design it.”
“Awesome! We have to talk. You have to make me a pair of earrings. I’ve wanted them for ages. I can see them in my mind, but I can’t find them in the stores.”
Laura nodded. “Sure. Give me your number. I’ll call you about it.” She smiled for the first time. “I don’t dare talk about it now; it’d drive these guys nuts.”
Leanne laughed. “Yeah. You might have a point there.”
The conversation and the laughter came easily after that. Dan was as relaxed with these guys as she’d ever seen him—but then he would be, they were his family. She probably didn’t need to feel so protective of him around them, but she couldn’t help it.