They finished the work silently, although she had the strange impression that he had something to ask her, and when they were done, he went back into the living room to join their parents.
She went the other direction, pouring herself a glass of wine, then walking outside to sit on the dock, dangle her feet into the water, and wonder what it was that she and Derek were doing.
"So what's up with you?"
Amanda jumped, then turned to see Nolan on the grass at the end of the dock.
"Just enjoying the evening."
"Uh-huh." He came down the boards, then sat next to her. "So who's the new boyfriend?"
She scowled. Nolan was a born comedian who had a morning drive time radio program. Since most of his content was raunchy, a lot of people underestimated him. Amanda never had. Nolan was sharp. And he was good at reading people. Apparently, too good.
"The text you got. There was definitely a guy at the other end of the telecommunications highway."
"Not a boyfriend. Just a guy I'm seeing."
"So a hook-up?"
She grimaced. True, maybe. But it sounded so crass.
"Seeing. Going out." She paused, because they actually didn't go out. They stayed in. But she didn't figure Nolan needed that detail. "Enjoying each other's company."
"Wild monkey sex?"
"Nolan!"
He chuckled. "Like I said. A hook-up."
"Whatever."
"For how long?"
"He lives in Dallas. We see each other when he comes to town."
"Again, I ask. For how long?"
"Fine. We met in July. But tomorrow's only our third date."
"Hmm."
She wasn't sure she liked the sound of that. "What?"
"Are you saying you don't like the guy?"
Her eyes went wide. "Hardly. He's great." More than great, if she was being honest.
"Then why are you trying so hard not to actually date him?"
"Shut up," she said, because she hated when her brother got the best of her. "And why is this even an issue for you?"
"I saw you after the last time you had a mysterious date, remember? About a month ago at The Fix?"
She nodded. It was the night that Derek had suggested a standing hook-up. And the night he'd invited her to stay. The offer had freaked her out, and she'd bolted. But it had also burned inside her, warming her up in ways that were incredible ... and more than a little confusing.
She'd left his hotel room, walked the few short blocks to The Fix, and downed two Jalapeno Margaritas in quick succession. They'd taken the edge off the confusion, and for the remaining hours until closing, she'd hung out with her friends, laughing and joking and enjoying her memories of the night with Derek and her post-coital glow.
"What about it?" she asked.