All the Right Moves

chapter 8

“WOW, YOU MUST NOT have done laundry in a while.” Beth reached across the bar and grabbed one of the bowls of pretzels Cassie was filling. “You look nice. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in anything but a T-shirt.”

“Yep, gotta get to the Laundromat,” Cassie muttered. Not true, but this was the fourth time she’d been accused of not washing her clothes, or something to that effect.

It had started off with Lisa, and since Cassie was irritable from too little sleep, insufficient studying and the certainty she’d totally messed up her exam, she’d decided not to tell Lisa about having John over last night. Of course it was childish. Keeping Lisa in the dark hardly served as a punishment, since Lisa didn’t know she was missing out on anything. Somehow it made Cassie feel better anyway.

Besides, if she did talk to Lisa, then she’d have to admit she had no idea where things stood between her and John. Even worse, not knowing bothered her far too much. Especially because it was 10:00 p.m. and he hadn’t shown up.

He never had asked for her phone number, or volunteered his. While he knew where she lived and worked, she only knew he was a captain stationed at Nellis and that was it. He obviously wanted the information flowing one way, and she was annoyed at herself for bothering to iron her yellow cotton sleeveless blouse just in case he’d show up for a beer.

Damn it, she should’ve dragged him to bed last night while she’d had the chance. She might as well have, considering he was the reason she’d probably get a C.

The beginning of the test had gone off without a hitch. Then panic had crept in, which she’d actually managed by focusing on her breathing and trying to relax. But that had reminded her of John’s lips and hands on her body and, poof, she’d been toast.

God, she wanted him to come by if only to tell him thanks for nothing. Sighing, she brought out a shot glass and grabbed the bottle of tequila. This was every bit her fault. She’d broken her own rule and it was costing her. Big-time. Even if she had made plans with John, it wouldn’t have meant anything. Not in the long run. He was on leave. That explained so much.

Which was fine. Because as soon as school was over, she was out of here. Maybe they would’ve only had a week, but man, what a week it could have been.

Lisa plopped down her tray. “I hate it when we’re this slow. Feels like I’ve been here for three days instead of four hours. Where the hell is everybody, anyway?”

“Barbecues and softball games. The hospital gang has some sort of tournament going on.”

“I don’t understand doing things outside when it’s three thousand degrees.”

“You and me both, sister.”

“Oh, honey, you know as well as I do June is nothing compared to July and August.” Lisa’s gaze flicked over Cassie’s button-down blouse. “That looks cute on you. Bet you have a good tip night.” She grinned, then looked over at the empty stool where John normally sat. “Where’s flyboy?”

“How should I know?” Heat flooded Cassie’s cheeks, and she ducked to get the cut-up limes out of the minifridge. Lisa stared curiously at her for a few seconds, then got distracted by the shot of booze sitting in front of Cassie. Lisa’s gaze darted to her order pad. “Did I forget to deliver a drink?”

“Nope, this is for me.”

“Seriously?” Lisa blinked extravagantly as she watched Cassie prepare her salt and lime. “Your exams must be finished.”

“I have one more, and then I’m done until September.” She decided to skip the lime and salt and downed the tequila, cringing when she shuddered like an amateur.

“You never drink while you’re working.”

“I do occasionally...when it’s slow.”

Lisa eyed her suspiciously. For good reason—because it was true. Cassie hardly ever drank at the bar. It seemed she was always anxious to get home, always studying, always stressed.

“You should be able to leave early if you want,” Lisa said, giving the room a quick look-see, but no one was signaling for service. “It was like this last night. Of course your brother bitched because, well, he’s Tommy, but we had no trouble keeping up. Lots of beer drinkers, so that helped.”

“Yeah, I’ll probably shove off in the next hour.” The words were barely out of her mouth when the door opened. With a weird certainty that it was John, she turned a casual glance that way. It wasn’t him. Two guys who were kind of familiar walked up to the bar.

She and Lisa greeted the men with smiles, but Cassie was too disappointed to fake it well. Behind her the phone rang. Another waste of money. Hardly anyone called the landline anymore, but Tommy insisted on being listed in the Yellow Pages.

Lisa started to come around the bar to answer the phone, but Cassie motioned for her to take the customers’ order. She’d get a better tip out of the men. Cassie was just too damn grumpy to go that extra mile.

“Gold Strike,” she said, her greeting close to a bark.

“Cassie?”

She recognized John’s voice, and immediately turned to face the wall for a teeny bit of privacy. “Hey.”

“Are you busy?”

“No, slow tonight.”

“Yeah, even the parking lot is half-empty.”

Abruptly she looked at the door. “Where are you?”

“Just outside, sitting in my car.”

“Oh.” She glanced down at her top, grateful beyond words she’d done a quick fix with club soda on a spot of tomato juice that had splashed her earlier. “Why?”

“Any chance you’ll get off early?”

“Yes, and again, why?” She’d tried to sound casual, as if his call was no big deal, but it wasn’t working. Her pulse had started racing at the sound of him, which was not a good sign. A smart woman would make an excuse and hang up, not keep ignoring all the signs that she was already in over her head. Instead, she said, “You owe me two answers.”

John’s deep laugh made everything worse because she could picture the smile that went with it. “You up for a party?”

She watched Lisa fill a mug with beer and chat with the men. “Party being a euphemism for...?”

“Uh...” He trailed off to a brief silence. “No hats, no balloons, but it really is a party.”

“Where?”

“A friend’s house, about twenty minutes from here. By the way, I want to know how your exam went, but I figured we’d talk on the drive. If you want to join me.”

For all her internal lecturing, Cassie wanted to see him. She wouldn’t pretend otherwise, but hanging out at a party with his friends wasn’t what she had in mind.

“I promised I’d show up,” he said, as if sensing her hesitation. “We don’t have to stay long.”

“I’m thinking.”

“Should I come in? I thought you wouldn’t want me asking in front of customers.”

“You’re right.” She glanced down at herself. The top would do, but the old jeans were horrible. “Maybe you should go ahead on your own. I’d have to go home and change and—”

“Nah, it’s not like that. They barbecued earlier, and now it’s drinks and snacks around the pool. You’re dressed fine.”

“You don’t know what I’m wearing.”

“But I know you look good,” he said, his voice low and smoky.

Smiling, she realized she was twisting her hair around her finger like a smitten thirteen-year-old and snapped out of it. Damn. Lisa was watching her. “Give me ten minutes.”

He might’ve said something about waiting on the street instead of the parking lot, but she’d pretty much hung up on him.

Avoiding Lisa’s gaze, Cassie muttered, “I’ll be right back,” then grabbed her purse and hurried to the ladies’ room for some damage control. Nothing to do about her clothes, but her hair and makeup probably needed touching up.

If she made it out the door without having to field a dozen questions from Lisa and Tommy, it would be a miracle. And then all she had to do was survive the night with John. No problem. Though another shot of tequila might be just the ticket.

* * *

“CASSIE, THIS IS SHANE and Nancy, our hosts.” John kissed the woman’s cheek, while Cassie smiled and shook hands with her husband.

She should’ve known better. The rule was a basic one, for God’s sake. Never trust a man when it came to his opinion on clothes. Even if he swore you looked like a million bucks. Of course John hadn’t used those words, but he’d assured her she looked perfect. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

“Glad you guys could make it.” Shane glanced at the label on the wine John had given him, his brows arching in approval. “Too bad you missed dinner. We should have some leftover steak and chicken. Honey, how about bringing out the—”

“No, not for us....” John pressed a hand to Cassie’s lower back. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t speak for you, Cass.” He looked into her eyes, his dazzling smile for her alone. “Hungry?”

His touch startled her as much as the nickname. He stood close, the pressure of his palm steady, and anyone watching would think they’d known each other for a whole lot longer than four days.

Okay, she could forgive him for not warning her that she’d look like a toad next to all these gorgeous women. There was an assortment of blondes, brunettes and even two redheads lounging around the pool, or talking and laughing under the small palm trees strung with hundreds of white glittering lights. The landscaping was primo, with lots of trees and flowering shrubs, and a ton more lighting.

“Cassie?” John rubbed his thumb near her spine.

“Oh, sorry. Yes.” She looked blankly at him, then to Nancy and Shane. “I mean, no. Not hungry. But thanks.”

“Let me know if you change your mind. It’s really no trouble.” Nancy was a blonde, and damn, a natural one it seemed. Very nice. Very tall. Stunning, actually, dressed in white capris and a white strappy top. “Excuse me, I have to check on the ice.”

“You know where the bar is,” Shane told John. “Help yourself,” he said, with a smile for Cassie before he followed Nancy toward the covered patio.

Cassie stared after him. He had dark hair like John, same height, gorgeous blue eyes, but John was still much better-looking. “They seem nice.”

“You sound surprised.”

“Do I?” She turned to see him smiling at her. But her move forced him to break contact, and she was sorry about that. “I don’t know why. I can’t imagine you hanging out with jerks.”

His grin broadened. “How about a drink? This time I’m pouring.”

“Yes, you are.” She hesitated when he gestured for her to go first. “Which way’s the bar?”

“The patio, left of the sliding doors.”

She’d been kind of hoping he’d take her hand, but that was expecting too much. At least they didn’t have to circle the pool. Most of the guests mingled over on the other side, but that hadn’t stopped the curious looks aimed at her and John. He nodded to a woman sitting at the edge of a lounge chair, then slowed to tell a couple of guys—had to be pilots—he’d catch up with them in a minute.

“Do you know everyone here?” Cassie leaned on the high bamboo bar, watching him make her a tequila sunrise. He’d set out the right ingredients, plus lime juice for some reason.

He glanced out at the pool and the couples sitting at the umbrella tables. “About half. I work with most of the guys. I think the two couples talking by the diving board are neighbors.”

“Are the women wives, or what?” She was careful not to stare because some of the women were looking back, and in fact had been watching her and John since they arrived. Hard to tell if they were curious about her or bummed that John hadn’t come solo. Probably both.

“A few wives,” he said, returning his attention to her drink. “I think the rest are Nancy’s friends.”

“Jeez, they all look like models.”

“They could be.” He was so careful to measure everything precisely it made her smile.

“Notice something else?”

His head came up again, his gaze going from her to the pool, back to her. “What?”

“None of them are wearing jeans.”

“The guys are. Including me.”

“That’s different.”

“How?” After taking in her face and hair, he looked directly into her eyes, his lips lifting in the faintest of smiles as if they shared a secret.

A shiver of pure pleasure danced up her spine. Bless him for making her feel as if she were the only woman at this shindig. “You know what—forget it.”

He handed her the tequila sunrise. “Tell me if I made this right. You’re the expert.”

“An expert at what?” The man’s voice behind her was close enough to make her jump.

She stepped aside so she could turn to look without bumping into him. He brushed her arm, making her tense until he lifted his hands in apology.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you.” He held an empty glass that should stay that way, judging by his flushed face and bloodshot blue eyes.

“Rocky.” John gave him a polite nod but she got a negative vibe. “I didn’t know you were here.”

“John meant that he didn’t know I was invited,” he said, winking at Cassie, his attention focused on her. “Introduce me to your girl, Devil.”

“I haven’t been a girl in a decade.” She decided she didn’t want to shake his hand but she wouldn’t be rude. “I’m Cassie,” she said, then glanced at John. “Devil?”

“Call sign.” His grim expression made it clear he didn’t want to explain further. Not now anyway. “His name is Kevin.”

Kevin set his glass on the bar, then somehow stumbled over his own foot, nearly knocking the glass over. He just laughed and said, “Scotch-rocks for me, bartender.”

John cleared his throat. He didn’t seem upset, just trying to keep a straight face. “You driving?”

“I’m not drunk, so don’t worry about it.”

“There you are.” Nancy came from behind Kevin and slipped her arm through his. “I haven’t talked to you all night.”

“Nancy.” Kevin gave her a sloppy grin. “My favorite hostess. Where’s that son-of-a-bitch husband of yours? I hope far away.”

“I’m a bit warm. Mind if we sit inside?” She smoothly steered him toward the glass doors and mouthed a thank-you to John and Cassie.

John waited until they were in the house to turn and catch Cassie’s arm. His kiss surprised her. It was brief, but no less shocking. Someone had to have seen them. Speechless, she gazed at him, and he looked as if he might’ve surprised himself. “You really do look beautiful.” Lowering his head to peer at her through his lashes, he said, “Believe me?”

“Hmm, not really. You may have to repeat it.” Her bluff would’ve been more effective without the nervous laugh.

Amusement gleamed in his eyes. “Now or later?”

Neither of them had checked to see if anyone was watching.

She elbowed him, then sipped her drink. “This is good, by the way.” She glanced at the sliding doors, hoping Nancy’s evening hadn’t been ruined. “Does Kevin work with you?”

“Indirectly.” His expression tightened. “He doesn’t fly anymore. In a few months he’ll have put in his twenty and he’s out.”

“I thought he looked older than the rest of you.” She glanced across the pool. Funny how the guys all seemed to share a certain image—physically fit, yes, but also the way they carried themselves. Nobody would mistake them for ordinary airmen. Kevin was different. He looked...soft. “Would you say most people retire after they reach the magic number?”

“Not necessarily. Depends what their military job is and whether they have something else lined up in advance.” He sipped his beer, and she followed his gaze toward the backyard.

A willowy blonde wearing tight leggings under a filmy tunic waved to him. She’d been one of the women who’d sporadically kept an eye on John.

Like the men, the women shared a particular image. And like Kevin, Cassie was odd person out. She wondered if John was thinking the same thing.

“I know it’s early but do you have plans for a second career?”

“I don’t want to talk shop, you mind?”

“No, of course not. I shouldn’t have asked.” She knew better. Talk about ignoring social cues. His body language had shifted and tension had transformed his expression. Though that might still be a reaction to Kevin.

“Hey, you can ask me anything.” He shrugged. “I may not have an answer, but I’ll tell you what I can. Come on, we should go mingle.”

She was not looking forward to rubbing elbows with the beautiful people. No offense to them. Maybe if she weren’t wearing jeans... No, that had nothing to do with it. But these were his friends and his party, and she’d signed up for date duty the minute she agreed to come. With a smile, she said, “Lead on.”

“Thanks,” he whispered.

Cassie had no idea what the gratitude was for, and she didn’t care. Especially not when his big warm hand closed around hers.