Once Bitten, Twice Shy

His lips twisted into a smile as he helped Katie out. "I'm forever amazed at your ingenuity."

He must think she was the biggest hick he'd ever seen. She lagged behind so he could open the restaurant door for them, but once inside he surrendered their care to Josh and Bill. Lori was odd-man-out, so she inherited the benefit of his manners. Lori would appreciate him.

"Come on," Josh said curtly to Carmen, and led her to the table with a stride she couldn't hope to match. At the table, he slung a long leg over a chair and dropped into it, kicking out the chair next to him for Carmen. Smoky gray eyes glanced up to determine her response to the crude invitation. She sat down and pulled her chair up to the table, glancing to see how Bill would react. Bill and Katie were in deep conversation and sat down in unison, completely oblivious to what was going on around them. Alex held a chair for Lori, and Josh glanced uncomfortably at Carmen, running a hand through unruly red hair as he spoke under his breath in a sarcastic tone.

"A real lady's man. Who'd have guessed?"

Alex glanced at Josh as he lowered himself to the chair beside Lori. If the displeased look on his face was any indication, he must have heard Josh.

Carmen shrugged. "Women like to be treated like ladies now and then, Josh. You ought to try it some time."

Her tone was light, but Josh scowled at her. It wasn't a nice thing to say, and at the moment she wished she could take it back. What was the point in antagonizing him?

"Pretty words and fancy manners don't mean anything. You know how I feel and I'll be darned if I'm going to grovel at your feet. I don't know what's gotten into you lately, but I wish the old Carmen would come back."

The old Carmen? Had she changed so much? Certainly she was more independent, but hadn't Josh become more assertive?

Lori came to her rescue. "Knock it off, Josh. This is her birthday, not a debate team meeting."

Lori always did have a way with Josh, even back when they were kids and she had a monstrous crush on him. Josh dropped the subject, baring beautiful white teeth in a smile that bore closer resemblance to a grimace.

"That's right, she's one year older today. Tell me Carmen. How does it feel to be a quarter of a century old?"

She made a face at him. "I'll let you find out next month." This was no place to bring up the issue that time was slipping away from them.