Aiden laughed and then gestured toward the parking lot. “We’re all going to go to Mae’s Grill. Would you come with us? I know it’s going to be crazy busy there, but the whole group would like to get to know you better.”

She remembered Jonah’s warning. It didn’t hurt to have friends in a small town, so Dani found herself agreeing to meet them there. Once inside the Mustang, she didn’t start it right away. She rested her head against her seat and let out a deep breath.

What the hell am I doing?

Friends? That’s what she was doing now? Trying to be included by a group? Dani never belonged in crowds like those. She didn’t have friends. She wasn’t even sure if she knew how to be a friend now.

Thump! Thump!

Jumping, Dani gasped and saw Jonah grinning at her through her window.

He motioned for her to unlock the passenger door, and he climbed in once she did. “You looked like you were sleeping? Did our talk wear you out?” He winked. “Or maybe it was holding my hand. I know it must’ve been overwhelming to touch these glorious things.” He held his hands in the air, turning them around like he was modeling.

She groaned. “There’s the old cocky Jonah from high school. I was almost convinced you were a nice guy.”

“Hush now. No spreading that secret around. You were supposed to have forgotten all about it?” His laugh grew more serious. “Jokes aside, what are you doing?”

“I’m waiting for the parking lot to clear out. What are you doing?”

“I need a ride to Mae’s.”

Dani shook her head even as she started the car. “What is it about you that everyone loves? It’s like you have some billboard on you that says ‘Like me, I’m adorable.’ Does everyone do what you ask of them? ‘I need a ride,’ so therefore, I must give you a ride? Is that how it works?”

But even as she was grumbling, she knew how it worked. He was a good guy, but he was also charming, charismatic, and he had a hell of a body. She knew not many could resist when he asked for something.

Oh good God. I’m becoming one of them.

“What?” He seemed genuinely puzzled.

“Nothing.”

“You know.” He narrowed his eyes, studying her. “You’re not like everyone else. Some girls act all tough and are mean right off the bat because they’re protecting themselves. I get that. I do, and I know that women like me. And then there are the other girls who—”

“Throw themselves at you.”

“Don’t get me wrong. Sometimes it’s nice and it’s what I need after a hard day at work, but to be honest, I think you have so much crap to deal with, you couldn’t ever see me in that light.” He lowered his voice. “That’s why I like hanging out with you. That’s part of the reason I showed up yesterday for dinner and sat on the bench with you tonight.”

It made sense, but she wanted to make sure he understood. “You’re not responsible for me.”

“Yes. I am.”

“No—”

He softened his tone. “Let me be responsible. Let one person care for you.”

“I didn’t tell you that stuff to make you feel like this.”

He shrugged. “You tell that person something, trust them, and they have your back. You do it back. Friendship. It’s part of the package.”

She held in her breath, a knot forming in her gut. She didn’t know what to say to that. “Friends?”

He grinned. “Looks like you’re stuck with me.”

And as she headed out of the parking lot and followed behind the rest to Mae’s Grill, she realized she didn’t even want to argue against it. That horrified her the most. Or it should’ve.

Aiden called it.

Mae’s Grill was filled to the max. And it was a mix between the fair’s beer garden inhabitants, the regulars, and tourists who traveled up during the summer for Tenderfoot Rush. All three groups came together at Mae’s Grill, and Jonah was right.

Jonah tapped her hand and asked, leaning close to her ear, “What do you drink?”

“Just a water. Thanks.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay.” He nodded toward the corner. “Gang’s over there.”

When Dani arrived, Aiden and Kate moved to her side. “Where were you?”

“I was about to send Bubba out to your home.”

“I held back and waited for the parking lot to clear.”

Shifting on her feet, Kate glanced over her shoulder. “Did I see you come in with Jonah?”

“Yeah. He wanted a ride.” Dani shrugged. Seeing Robbie on the dance floor with someone, she asked Kate, “Is that one of the girls he’s interested in?”

Kate nodded, making a face. “That’s Lori. She was here, just waiting for him once we arrived.”

“Then, in that case,” Dani nodded toward the pool table. “Want to play a game of pool?”

“Love to!” Kate looked so relieved. “Thank you, and maybe we can flirt it up with a couple guys over there.”

Dani added, “Robbie won’t know what hit him.”

“Damn straight!” Kate laughed, ducking around Jonah as he returned from the bar. “Hey, Jonah. I’m stealing your ride. She’s going to be my sidekick the rest of the night.” She tapped on his shoulder and pointed to a table of women, all eyeing him up and down. “Just a word of advice, avoid that table. They look a little crazed tonight.”