Date Next Door

She actually found him a little too appealing for her own peace of mind at that moment. She was suddenly having all these crazy thoughts about running her hands beneath that conservative jacket to feel the muscles she knew it concealed. Wondering how it might feel to be cradled against that solid chest and have that nicely shaped mouth pressed against hers.

“Ready to go?” he asked after a moment, and his voice sounded a little strained, as if he had somehow guessed the direction her wayward thoughts had taken.

She nodded and tucked her purse beneath her arm.

She was beginning to wonder if Aislinn was right about her being in danger here after all. Not a physical threat, which Nic knew how to deal with, but a risk to her heart.

That was one part of herself that she had never actually put into harm’s way before—and she didn’t want to change that record now, especially with a man who couldn’t be more wrong for her. At least that was the opinion of his family and friends—and surely they knew him better than she did.

Glittering in sequins, Heidi met people at the door of the ballroom as they arrived for the party. Armed with a beaming smile and stick-on name tags, she ushered them inside and urged everyone to have a “fabulous” time.

“Nicole,” she semisquealed when Nic and Joel entered. “I’m so glad you’re here. There’s someone you absolutely have to meet.”

“Oh? Who’s that?’

“His name is Jimmy Waller. You remember Jimmy, don’t you, Joel?”

“Of course. He sat beside me in half my classes. I don’t think I’ve seen him since graduation.”

“That’s because he went into the Navy. He’s been overseas every time we’ve had a reunion before. He just retired from the military last month, and you’ll never guess what he’s doing now.”

“No, I—”

“He’s a police officer,” Heidi cut in with an arch look at Nic. “He lives in Memphis, Tennessee—not too far from where you two live, is it?”

“No, not far.” Joel sounded oddly grudging as he made the admission.

“Isn’t that nice? And the best part is he’s single and he’s even cuter than he was in high school. You and Jimmy should have a lot to talk about, Nicole.”

Nic felt her eyes go wide. Was Heidi actually trying to set her up? Even though she was here as Joel’s, if not date, at least companion? “I, uh—”

Joel surprised her by wrapping an arm loosely around her shoulders and telling Heidi warmly, “We’ll both enjoy talking to him. I’d love the chance to catch up with Jimmy.”

Nic couldn’t quite describe his attitude. Not possessive exactly. After all, why would he be feeling at all possessive? The arm around the shoulders could be taken for a friendly, just-pals sort of gesture—even though she felt her nerve endings tingling all along the path of contact. But that was her issue, not Joel’s. He was probably just trying to keep her from feeling embarrassed by Heidi’s blatant matchmaking.

Heidi’s gaze lingered for several moments on Joel’s arm, but her smile didn’t fade as she handed them each a name tag and waved them inside. “Go find Jimmy. I’m sure he’ll be delighted to see you both.”

Chapter Eight

“I can’t imagine why Heidi thought we needed these,” Joel muttered, glancing down at the gold-bordered white paper tag on his lapel. “We all know each other. And I really don’t need the doctor title in front of my name for a gathering with old friends. It looks so pretentious.”

“No one who knows you would ever call you pretentious,” Nic assured him. “Everyone knows this was Heidi’s idea.”

As foolish as it made her feel, she stuck her own tag somewhat crookedly on her chest. Fortunately Heidi hadn’t felt it necessary to add Officer to Nic’s name. Maybe they’d been printed before she had learned that tidbit.

The Watson twins were in attendance, of course, both looking uncomfortable in suits and ties their wives had undoubtedly made them wear. A few other people Nic had met the night before greeted them, and she made the requisite small talk as they worked their way across the room.

She was relieved to see that her black pantsuit fit in perfectly. The other women had dressed in a range from Sunday best to shimmering cocktail outfits, and hers fell nicely in between.

She found it both amusing and a little sad that Heidi had chosen to decorate as if they were attending a high school party. Red, white and silver balloons and streamers seemed to be multiplying in every corner. Glittery banners proclaimed, Always Cardinals, Always Friends. Joel informed her that it had been the theme of their senior prom.

The brand-new second-story ballroom wasn’t huge but large enough to easily accommodate the group. The floor was gleaming wood, suitable for dancing, and a wall of glass doors gave a view of the wood-railed lanai built invitingly over a sloping drop down to the lake. Because it was such a mild evening, the doors were open, and several people were out on the lighted lanai admiring the moonlight reflecting on the water below.

Large posters decorated with pictures from their school days were displayed on easels arranged around the ballroom. Nic spent some time studying them, diverted by the images of the younger Watson brothers and some of the other balding or burgeoning classmates.

It was inevitable that a disproportionate number of the pictures were of Joel and Heather, separately and together. After all, they had been leaders in their class, popular, attractive and apparently active in every school activity.

Nic wondered idly how many photos of her a committee could find for a class reunion. She hadn’t been much of a “joiner,” and her activities had g