Page 67 of The Plus One Professional

“Did you find somewhere?”

A small grin lifted on her perfect, plump lips. “Yeah. I did. Otherwise, I’d still be on the phone.”

“Do you want me to order you something from room service?” I asked.

“No, I got something.” She dug through her bag, and her shoulders dropped.

“What?” I asked. “What is it?”

“Billie ordered me a sandwich, but I must have left it in their room.”

“I’ll go get it,” I told her.

“No. You don’t have to do that. I’m fine; I don’t need it.”

“What room are they in?” My tone was final. This wasn’t up for debate.

“Fourteen-oh-one. It’s just down past the gym by the tasting room.”

“Got it. I’ll be right back.”

On my way out, unable to stop myself, I leaned down and kissed her. It was just a quick peck. I just needed to establish our connection again. To feel her soft, supple lips against mine.

Her eyes widened slightly in surprise, and for a second, I thought I might have crossed a line.

“What was that for?” she asked breathlessly.

“I missed you.”

The smile that spread on her face told me I hadn’t fucked up. Before the door closed, I glanced back and saw Bailey slipping off her shoes, a yawn claimed her as she rubbed her eyes. The sight made my chest constrict for a different reason than anxiety. Sleepy Bailey might just be the most adorable thing on the planet.

The walk to Billie and Birdie’s only took a few minutes. It was on the north side of the vineyard. I may or may not have an extra pep in my step since I knew that Simon going AWOL had nothing to do with Bailey. Or, if it did, at least they weren’t together. She’d been working. Not hooking up with her ex. That made me much happier than it probably should have.

When I reached room 1401, I knocked on the door, and a few seconds later, Billie answered with the sandwich in hand. “I knew you’d be ba?—”

“Hey.” I smiled.

Billie’s brows drew together. “Is everything okay? Where’s Bailey?” she demanded protectively.

“She’s in the room. She looked tired, so I told her I’d come get the sandwich.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You came to get her sandwich.”

I wasn’t sure if she was just stating facts out loud or if it was a rhetorical question. “Yes.”

“Because she looked tired.”

Again, I was unclear about what to say. “Yes.”

She stared at me for a few beats, as if she was trying to suss out what my angle was, before relenting and handing me the bag.

“Thanks. Night.”

The walk back to our room took less time than the walk there. This time, the pep in my step was being fueled by knowing that Bailey was waiting for me. I hadn’t been lying when I said I missed her. I did. More than was probably healthy, considering our circumstances.

But that didn’t stop me from grinning from ear to ear as I opened the door, excited to spend the evening downloading about our day and then making more memories of the adult variety. The grin was still in place when I walked around the corner of the entryway and found Bailey lying on the bed. Her eyes were closed, her mouth was wide open, and she was quietly sawing logs. Even the sound of her snoring was cute.

I set the sandwich down, pulled the comforter over her, and kissed her forehead. Tonight might not have gone as I planned, but just her being here was enough. All of the anxiety I’d been suffering from was gone. I felt calm. I felt at peace. My world, which had been off its axis, righted itself. She righted it.

---