Page 37 of Fall at Once

“Great. Should I take my shirt off right now?” I teased, tugging the hem of my T-shirt up a couple of inches.

“Uh—” She froze; her face turned bright red as she stared at the sliver of abs I had bared, and I grinned as her mouth dropped open. It was like she’d glitched. “I?—”

“Dude, you broke her,” Kenzie called out from across the street, where she’d just parked her car. She carried a ring light and her phone. “I’m helping out today. I told Madi a surprise mission was for the best. I know none of you guys want your picture taken. Am I right?”

“It’s for a good cause.” Madi, who had snapped out of her stupor, argued.

“The mental picture of all you guys sans shirts must have short-circuited her brain when she brought it up. Is that it?” Kenzie teased. “Madi, you were practically drooling.”

Madi slugged her arm lightly. “No. I’m fine. I’m good. I’m a professional.” She huffed. “I took a bunch of photography classes in college. I know what I’m doing, okay? And no, none of youhave to be shirtless. I mean, unless you’re comfortable with it, that is.”

“It never crossed my mind to question your abilities,” I said pointedly. I couldn’t stand to see anyone embarrassed, even if the joke was good-natured like Kenzie’s was. “We all trust you.”

“Thanks. See, Kenzie?” She stuck out her tongue while Kenzie laughed. “They trust me.”

“I’m sorry, Madi. My filter is faulty. I didn’t mean to embarrass you. I’ll go see who wants to be shot today,” Kenzie offered, passing me the ring light and leaving Madi and me alone by the truck.

“It’s been a while,” I said to change the subject. “I mean, since our lunch at Tres Chicas.”

“Yeah, I’ve been busy. Working at Gigi’s keeps me on my toes. Plus, her doctor said she needs to keep her ankle elevated. She’s been on the couch all week. Kenzie and I have been bringing her dinner and hanging out every night.”

“Understandable. So, about the meeting, I’ll have the kids tomorrow?—”

“Oh, do you need to reschedule?”

“No. That won’t be necessary. I thought you could have dinner with us at the house instead of meeting at my office. Natalie wants to discuss something with you—something about winging her eyeliner? Anyway, I’ll cook. You can talk makeup or whatever with Nat. Then we’ll all eat, and you and I can have our meeting after. If that’s okay with you?”

“That’s fine with me. What time? And should I bring anything? I could whip up another batch of brownies?”

“How about six o’clock?” I suggested, and she nodded, saying that it was okay. “Normally, I’d say I had it all covered, but if I turn down your brownies, the kids will kill me.”

“Uh, what’s your favorite dish to cook? I could help you make dinner?” she offered.

My eyes darted to the side, where Kenzie stood, not quite out of my view, as she talked to Tate and gave Madi an approving thumbs-up before going inside the open bays to speak to the rest of the crew.Weird.

I turned my focus back to Madi. “Do you like rib eye? My mom has an amazing herbed butter recipe that goes great on steaks—with thyme, garlic, and fresh cracked pepper.”

“That sounds awesome.”

“Excellent. I’ll pick up the steaks on my way home tonight. I like to use my grandma’s old cast iron skillet and baste with butter halfway through. You’ll love it. We can go out to my greenhouse with the kids and pick a salad if you’re interested. My garden has gone wild. We could make ranch dressing with fresh herbs to go on top.”

“Oh. Wow. I’ve never tried that.”

“It’s important for kids to know where their food is coming from.”

“I agree. I have always enjoyed baking with Gigi ever since I was little. Do they cook too?”

“Yup. They’ve been in the kitchen with me since they were tiny. They love it.”

Kenzie shouldered her way between me and Madi. “I am bothjealous and impressed with your dinner plans. Listen, we have five of Cozy Creek’s finest willing to pose right now. Today. Boom! Add Cole, and we will have half the year covered. You’re welcome.”

“This is perfect.” Madi was back to all business. “How about you guys wear the suspender pants and T-shirts? Would that be okay?”

“Uh-uh, nope.” Kenzie shook her head. “Tate wants to be shirtless, and he insisted on hanging from a pole like a stripper.”

Madi burst out laughing. “I mean, he deserves January for that. Start the year off right.”

“Pace also agreed. No shirt.”

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