Page 70 of Fierce-Michael

“Sorry,” he said. “But now you know.”

“I do,” she said.

He pulled into the parking lot a minute later and they got out.

“He’s here already. He probably has a table waiting for us.”

Michael pulled the door open and held it for her. She always found those little moves so chivalrous. It’s like no one did that much anymore. Or at least the men she dated.

When they got by the hostess’s stand, she saw a guy’s hand go up and Michael nodded to the woman and walked by to greet the man who had stood up in the booth.

“Dude,” Owen said. “Long time no see. And look at you. You’ve got to be Kelly. Now I know why Michael has been quiet.”

She shook hands with the big guy. Not as tall as Michael but just as muscular. Still much taller than her or anyone she’d ever dated before.

“Quiet how?” she asked. “And nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“I can’t say the same,” Owen said. “Which is why he’s been quiet.”

“When have you ever known me to talk about dating or personal things in a text?” he asked. “It’s always in person and we rarely talk on the phone. You’ve been out of town.”

“Good point,” Owen said. “Guess I was just taken back by him having a girlfriend. He told me how you started dating. I’m glad to know you took that step.”

“If I didn’t, I don’t think he would have,” she said. “I got tired of waiting.” She was grinning when she said it.

“Good for you,” Owen said. “I like you already even if I hadn’t heard everything I have.”

“Why is that?” she asked.

“It’s the smile on my best friend’s face.”

She turned and saw what Owen was looking at. “He does have a cute smile,” she said, leaning over to kiss him.

“Aren’t you two just so sweet,” Owen said, picking up his beer.

“Cut the sarcasm,” he said.

“I can’t help it. So you’re meeting his parents and Ty this weekend?” Owen asked.

See, best friends knew everything. “I am. Can I confess I was more worried about meeting you than I am meeting them?”

“You should be,” Owen said. “I know all his deep dark secrets.”

She playfully slapped Michael’s arm. “I told you that. He said I was acting crazy worrying about it.”

“I didn’t say crazy and now Owen is going to get me in trouble.”

“I doubt that,” Owen said. “I’m just a troublemaker.”

“I think it’s more like you’re being a good friend,” she said. “There is nothing wrong with having people who support you or are in your corner. Maybe I needed more of that in my life at times.”

Her parents had always been there. Not friends though.

Why else would no one else know about her brief marriage? Or even the fact that she tried out for a reality show? That wasn’t even that long ago.

“You’ve got it now with Michael,” Owen said. “One of the most loyal men I know.”

“Thanks for making me sound like a dog,” he said.