He pushes off the truck and walks over, his gaze never leaving mine.When he reaches me, his hand settles on my waist like it belongs there.“You ready?”
“Yeah.”
“Ahem,” Rowan says dramatically.
I tear my eyes away from Rune to look at them.“Oh, right.”I clear my throat.“Rune, this is my best friend, Rowan, and her husband, Heath.Guys, this is Rune.”
“Nice to meet you,” Rowan says, practically bouncing forward to greet Rune.
“You too,” Rune says, shaking Rowan’s and Heath’s hands.
I reach for Rune’s truck door.“We’ll meet you at Palmer’s.”
He pushes my hand away and opens the door for me, gripping my waist as he boosts me into the seat.I see Rowan and Heath walk over to his fancy SUV, and he opens the door for her too.
“Are you nervous?”I ask Rune as he climbs behind the wheel and starts his truck.
“For what?”
“Dinner…”
“Oh.No.Why?Should I be?”
“No, I just wanted to check.”
“Your friends seem nice.”
“You only said hi to them.”I laugh.
“Yeah, but if they’re friends with you, they have to be good people.If you trust and like them, so do I.”
“Good,” I say softly.
Palmer’s Steakhouse is only a few blocks over, and we make small talk on the short drive.Rune asks me about wedding planning and work, and I ramble about how busy Fern and I have been.
We pull in next to Rowan and Heath and all climb out at the same time.Rune takes my hand, and we walk up to the front door together.
“Hi, reservation for Heath.Party of four,” Heath tells the maître d.
She nods, grabbing the menus and leading us to our table in the corner.I’ve never been to Palmer’s before, and I look around with wide eyes.The place is swanky, with crisp white tablecloths and candles in the center of each table.Soft, soothing jazz music plays in the background.
Rune pulls my chair out for me, and I smile my thanks as I take my seat.We all sit down, and Rune’s hand settles on my thigh under the table.It’s warm and possessive.Comforting.It seems to saymine.
My breath hitches slightly.
“So,” Rowan says, clearly ready to stir the pot.“How did you two meet?”
“The market,” I say quickly, shooting her a look.
“She asked me out,” Rune adds.
I freeze.
Rowan’s eyes light up like Christmas morning.“She did?”she asks, pretending she didn’t already know that.
Rune nods, glancing at me with a small smirk.
“Walked right up and asked me to be her date.”