LATER, WHEN THE FIRST SHOWER OF LIGHT FOUNTAINED IN THE sky, Del sat behind her, drawing her back so she could rest against him. It was all color and sound and spectacle, with his arms loose around her.

However she got here, Laurel thought, it was exactly where she wanted to be.

LOADING BACK UP WAS NEARLY AS FRAUGHT AS THE INITIAL CHORE, but once done, Parker piloted them to a local club. At the door she passed Carter the keys. “Del’s buying the first round,” she announced.

“I am?”

“You are, and our designated driver’s money is no good here.” She glanced over as Mal came in behind them. “We’d better grab a couple tables.”

They pushed a couple together, claimed their spots. Once the round was ordered, the women moved off en masse to the ladies room.

“What do you figure they do in there, as a pack?” Mal wondered.

“Talk about us,” Jack said, “and plot strategy.”

“Since we have a minute, I figured I should tell you Parker just made that move earlier because she was mad at me.”

Mal smiled easily at Del. “Okay. Maybe you could piss her off again.”

“Ha. See, I didn’t tell her I’d called you, and she got the wrong idea.”

At ease, Mal kicked back and looped an arm over the back of his chair. “Yeah? What idea’s that?”

“That I was setting the two of you up.”

“Does your sister have trouble getting dates?”

“No. Of course not.”

“Then I wouldn’t worry about it.”

The band started up as their drinks arrived—and the women came right behind them. “Dance! Come on, Jack.” Emma grabbed his hand, tugged.

“There’s beer.”

“Dance, then beer.”

“A plan.” Del got up and claimed Laurel. “It’s been a while for you and me.”

“So, let’s see what you’ve got.”

“Okay, Carter.”

“I’m a terrible dancer,” he reminded Mac.

“You’ll have to dance at the wedding, so it’s time to practice.”

“Oh well.”

Mal gave it a moment, then stood and held out a hand to Parker.

“Really, you don’t have to—”

“You can dance, can’t you?”

“Of course, I can dance, but—”

“Not afraid to dance with me, are you?”

“That’s ridiculous.” Obviously annoyed, she rose. “This isn’t a date, and I’ll apologize for before, but I was—”

“Pissed at Del. I get it. So, we’ll have a drink, we’ll dance. No big deal.”

The music was hot and fast, but he gave her an unexpected little spin, then twirled her in close. And began to move.

He had the beat, and still it took her a minute to match his steps and rhythm. She had to admit, he’d thrown her off guard again.

“Somebody’s had lessons,” she said.