Lash nodded politely as the couple continued to talk about their college days and how they met, amused as they continued to complete each other’s sentences.
Deborah placed a hand over Lash’s. “Goodness. Look at us just talkin’ away. We haven’t even introduced ourselves. I’m Deborah Taylor, and this handsome devil is my husband, Nathan.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Lash said. “I’m Lash.”
“Ooh, that’s an interesting name,” Deborah said. “It suits you.”
“Watch out there, Lash. The cougar is on the prowl,” Nathan teased.
She kissed him on the cheek. “You know I have eyes only for you.”
“So, when did you start the class?” Lash really liked them.
“A couple of weeks ago. We’re new to the city. Just moved here from Gardenville. It’s a small town in North Texas. Nathan was out of a job for a while, and we thought we’d never find work. Then Prescott Oil moved in with all this fracking business, and they hired Nathan right away. He’s so good they wanted him working in their Houston office, so here we are. Got my purse stolen the first day we moved in.”
“It’s not like Gardenville. You got to keep your eyes and ears open ’round here,” Nathan chastised, wagging his finger.
She grabbed his hand, kissed it, and placed it back on his lap. “I know. I thought I was being careful. Well, that’s why we’re here. How about you?” Deborah asked Lash.
Lash glanced over at Naomi and caught her staring in their direction. She turned a vibrant pink and suddenly found her fingernails very engrossing.
“I walked Naomi here from a group meeting we had earlier. I didn’t want her to walk alone at night. Chuy asked if I could help out. Since I didn’t have anything else to do, I figured, why not? I’ve never done this before.”
“That’s so sweet of you. You and your girlfriend did a good job,” Deborah said. “Don’t you think so, Nathan?”
“Yes. Good job, son.” Nathan patted him on the back. “Your girlfriend’s a looker too.” He winked at Lash.
“She’s not my girlfriend.”
“Really?” Deborah looked over to Naomi and then back at Lash. “I assumed by the way you two have been looking at each that you were together.”
“I don’t think she’d be interested in a guy like me,” Lash said.
“Oh, she’s interested.” Nathan opened a bottle of water, took a sip, and handed it over to his wife.
“She sure is,” Deborah agreed. “Why don’t you ask her out on a date?”
Lash thought about it and quickly pushed the thought away. Was he out of his mind? Naomi was an assignment, not someone that he could become romantically involved with, and then there was the problem that she was human.
He glanced back at Naomi. He ached at the thought that he could never be with her in the same way Nathan was with Deborah. “No, I don’t think that would be a good idea.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Taylor. Good job today,” Chuy said as he approached them.
“Nathan and I were telling Lash here how nice it was for him to volunteer to help us out,” Deborah said.
Lash smiled. “It was my pleasure.”
“Actually, Lash reminds me of you, Chuy,” Deborah gave Lash a devilish look. “He’s polite and helpful. I heard he walked Naomi here to make sure she was safe. Such a gentleman.”
“Yeah, thanks for watching after her,” Chuy said. “I know Naomi can be a handful sometimes.”
“Are you talking about me?” Naomi stepped up beside Chuy.
“Yeah, I was thanking Lash for walking you over.”
Naomi scowled. “I can take care of myself.”
“There’s safety in numbers, dear,” Deborah said. “Come on, Nathan. It’s time we get you home.”
Nathan stood up and groaned. “I definitely heard my knees pop that time. You’re going to have to pull out the liniment tonight.”
“Come on, Chuy, let’s get going. I’m starving.” Naomi tugged on Chuy’s arm.
Chuy looked curiously from Naomi to Lash. His expression changed, as if he realized something. With a silly grin on his face, he turned to Lash. “What’re you doing tonight?”
“He’s busy,” Naomi answered quickly.
Lash raised his brow and caught her eyes dart between him and Chuy. She was nervous. “Nothing.”
“Come over to our house for dinner,” Chuy said.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Naomi said. “Welita isn’t expecting anyone else. There may not be enough to go around.”
Chuy snorted. “Welita cooks for ten every night. There’ll be plenty.”
“Great! I’d love a home-cooked meal. Beats the Ramen noodles I planned to eat,” Lash said.
“Ramen noodles, Naomi. Don’t let the poor man eat that stuff when he could have some of Welita’s tamales.”
Naomi sighed. “Oh, all right.”
Lash decided that he was a glutton for punishment. As much as he knew that he shouldn’t get so involved with Naomi and her family, he couldn’t seem to help himself.
Chapter 11
“Okay, this is far enough,” Naomi said, shifting the car into park.
Chuy threw himself to the ground, panting. “We need to get Welita a new car.”