Page 25 of Perfect Blend

“Hi, Mabel. Sure, I can spare a few minutes.” He offered me an apologetic smile.

Bailey draped his arm around my shoulders. “Don’t worry, bud. I’ll keep Mikey company.”

Dave’s nostrils flared, then he leaned in. “If you get carried away, I’ll tell your mom about Whistler,” he said in a warning growl.

It instantly turned me on. I wanted him to boss me around and demand I do endless dirty things in that voice.

“Damn, D. All right, all right. I’ll be good.” Bailey guided me toward the canopy tent.

I looked back at Dave, and he mouthed “Sorry” to me as Mabel reached him.

Once we neared the entry table, I paused. “I’m not sure of the protocol here. Am I supposed to twist your arm for the dirt on Dave, or are you supposed to just offer the blackmail material?”

Bailey’s laugh was loud and rich. He clapped me on the shoulder. “I like you already, but I knew I would with what Dave’s told me. Are you really going to perform with him tomorrow night?”

Dave talked to him about me?That made me giddy. “Of course. Whatever I can do to make it a great night for him.” I caught my words. “And the town. Good thing Dave and I already had a routine we could resurrect.”

Bailey shot me a mischievous look. “I would give anything for a video of pimply-faced Dave awkwardly moving his limbs around before his college growth spurt. His parents have shown me some fascinating photos.”

“If only cell phones were better back then. I’m sure someone would’ve captured it, but it’s probably for the best. It’ll be much better with us in drag.”

A young woman walked over and asked Bailey a question. I glanced back at Dave. As though he sensed me watching him, he looked at me and smiled.

“How do you like Seattle?”

I rolled with the topic change. “It’s fine. Great restaurants. Lots of rain.”

Bailey scratched at his cheek. “Rains here too, and we don’t have as many restaurants, but the housing is cheaper and the traffic is nonexistent.”

I raised my eyebrows. “Good to know.”

“Sorry about that,” Dave said as he joined us. “Mabel secured a last-minute sponsor for the show and wanted to talk about some changes.”

“She could talk someone deathly allergic to cats into opening a cat café.” Bailey shook his head.

“When I interviewed her, I nearly left as the chair of a new committee.”

Bailey and Dave laughed. I reveled in Dave’s best friend responding so well to me. It didn’t mean anything, but I wanted it to.

I noticed someone who looked like he could be related to Bailey but with dark hair giving him a stern look. As soon as Bailey noticed, he sighed. “I’d better get back to it. Great to meet you, Mikey. See you both at the show tomorrow.”

After I said goodbye, Dave introduced me to the people working at the check-in table and explained the article I was writing. His tone held pride, not only for the town but for my work too.

Dave and I strolled silently through the start of the path, pausing to read the text and study the images on several signs positioned at the edges of dahlia rows.

Eventually, Dave spoke. “On a scale of one to cyanide poisoning, how intensely should I be planning retribution for whatever embarrassing shit Bailey said?”

I chuckled. “He was disappointingly tame. I expected far more dirt.”

Dave arched an eyebrow.

I wanted to kiss his snarky little smile. Instead, I blew out a breath and shoved my hands into my pockets. “He said he wished he had a video of our drama class performance and asked me how I liked Seattle.”

“Of course he did.” He sighed. “Could’ve been worse.”

“I guess I’ll have to try again for the gossip tomorrow night.” I knocked my shoulder against his.

A child laughed loudly and brushed against my legs as Dave pulled me against him, fingers searing into my arms.

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