“Likewise,” he replied.
Within seconds, her sister was rushing out the door, leaving her with Olivia’s old boyfriend.
While he drank a glass of sweet tea, she sipped her sangria, and they talked about old times. Neither of them brought up Olivia. Whatever happened was their business and between the two of them.
All she knew was they’d graduated, then broke up. He joined the rodeo circuit and Olivia went away to college that fall.
Josh had always been like an older brother to her and Emily, so she enjoyed sitting down and finishing her drink with him.
But more women gathered nearby, smiling at Josh and batting their eyelashes.
“I can get another ride home,” she told him, having noticed Carter and Mel sitting with Rylee and Dex near the dance floor.
“No,” he said, appearing to get more and more uncomfortable.
“Are you sure? This way you can join your entourage?” she couldn’t help but ask.
“Hell, no.” He shuddered, not even bothering to look at the women occupying all the tables behind him. “You ready?”
She nodded.
She was ready. Dante would definitely be home by now, and hopefully, Noah would be asleep.
“I don’t think this building could hold any more of your buckle bunnies.” She grinned. “They seem to be multiplying like…well…rabbits.”
Josh chuckled and swiped the bill off the table before she could grab it.
“You don’t have to do that,” she protested.
He tipped his head and smiled. “Least I can do for you helping me.”
She frowned. “But you’re giving me a ride home.”
“And you’re giving me a way out.” He winked, his baby blue eyes twinkling. “So, we’re even.”
He set his hand on the small of her back as they weaved through the crowd to the register where he paid their bills before he hurried them out the door.
The cool night breeze felt good on her skin. She smiled. “You know, I’m the third Harrison sister to rush out the door tonight.”
He stiffened slightly before he released her. “Ah, so did Livvy earlier.”
“Yeah.” Amanda bit her lip. “She had to go home. She has patients to see in the morning.”
He nodded and didn’t ask any questions about her sister. He just pointed to an old blue Ford. “My truck is over there.”
She raised a brow as they walked. “Is that the same one you had in high school?”
“Yes,” he replied. “If there’s one lesson I’ve learned over the years, it’s that you never throw away a good thing.”
Amanda wondered if it was the truck or her sister that he was talking about.
Maybe both.
During their short ride to her place, she caught him up to speed on Emily’s life and hers, but never mentioned Olivia.
Amanda liked Josh a lot, but well, Olivia was still her sister, and she didn’t feel right talking about her to him behind her sister’s back.
Not that he asked. But still, she didn’t offer, either.
