Page 30 of More Than a Helping Hand

It takes lots of willpower to avoid looking over at Anderson. “With the way things are, it might be easier for me to stay over here. But I’ll grab food in a minute.”

“You watch Bailey, and I’ll get you a plate. Just tell me what you want.” Bluebonnet leans closer. “Then you don’t have to be near him with other people around.”

“It’s just a bit weird. And I’m also keeping an eye on Bailey.” I tell her what foods I want.

Bluebonnet has been around for years, long before she was with Parker. And it was no secret to any of us that Parker was nuts for her. Well, except for Bluebonnet. She had no idea apparently. She’s the sweetest, and I’m happy for both of them.

She carries back two plates, hands over my burger, then drops into the chair. “There’s more if you want seconds. Ava handles most of the cooking around here, and she feels loved when people eat her food. Even though she has Mad Dog on the grill, it still counts.”

“That’s funny.”

“I guess we all have our thing. I absolutely love when Parker sneaks out early and then shows up with coffee. All the feels.”

Laughing, I sneak a glance at Anderson, and when he winks, my gaze snaps back to Bailey. “I don’t need any more details.”

“I get that you don’t want to hear that stuff about your brother. But he’s a total sweetheart. And speaking of sweethearts, Anderson is too. I’ve only ever seen him less than kind to one person, and even then, he was funny.”

“And who was that?”

“My ex. And he totally deserved it.”

“I’m just not used to a guy being so… smitten. It’s weird.”

She crumples her napkin and tosses it onto her plate, then rubs my arm. “I thought I didn’t deserve Parker and nearly messed everything up. Learn from my mistakes. At least give him a chance.”

“How could you have thought that? You are the nicest person, Bluebonnet. And you make him really happy.”

“I didn’t say it made sense. I said that’s what I thought.” Her eyes twinkle as she looks at Parker. “It’s not about what we do or don’t deserve. It’s about falling in love. That’s the way I see it.”

“Thanks, Bluebonnet.” Her little peptalk hasn’t convinced me to throw myself at the man, but maybe continuing at a very slow pace isn’t so horrible.

She points as Bailey climbs out of the pool. “Someone noticed that Anderson is done eating.”

“That poor man. Did he even have time to finish?”

“Look at that smile. She isn’t bothering him. He’s enjoying every minute.”

I hand her my plate. “I hope so.”

She grins as Anderson marches toward my chair. “Look who’s headed this way.” Then she hurries back to Parker.

Anderson stops short of my chair, holding me hostage with his intense gaze. Then he grabs the hem of his T-shirt and slowly lifts. And for the time it takes him to rip off that shirt, I don’t care who is watching. I drink in every muscle, but I managed to keep my face neutral. My insides are far from unaffected. He wasn’t joking when he told me he had a nice chest. I’m not sure I’d rank it above his eyes or his smile, but that’s just splitting hairs. Every inch of the man is gorgeous.

Bluebonnet’s encouragement to give him a chance plays in my head, and I give Anderson an eyebrow twitch, a subtle approval that Bailey will not notice.

He tosses his shirt onto my chair and winks. “We’re going to swim for a bit.”

Bailey jumps up and down. “Come catch me.” Then she launches herself into the pool.

“I might need sunscreen in a bit. Will you help me with that?”

“I’d hate for that perfect sun-kissed skin to get burnt.” I’m full-on flirting now, taking advantage of the moment we have alone.

“It’s nice to know you care.” He shouts a warning before cannonballing into the pool. And Bailey is beside herself with delight.

CHAPTER12

ANDERSON

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