Page 29 of Fall for You
“So.” Dallas picked up his pace and was soon walking alongside her. “What are you planning to do up there?”
Willow cast a quick side glance his way. “Uh, well…I thought I’d get a start on clearing it out. Last I checked, it had becomesomething of a hoarder’s den for Grandpa and his friends. Bailey’s been meaning to get to it for weeks, but it keeps getting moved further down the list as more important priorities pop up. I know it’s frustrating her, because she really wants it done before wedding season kicks in over the summer.”
Dallas chuckled. “I’ll give you a hand, then.” He turned to her with a wink. “Who knows? Maybe we’ll find a hidden treasure among all the stuff he no doubt hid from Grandma.” He winked and chuckled…
While Willow tripped over her own feet before catching herself.
Hidden treasure?
Those two words rang like clanging gongs within her.
If only he knew.
Her answering laugh sounded strained even to her own ears. “Yeah, maybe.”
As they drew closer and the old wooden shed came into view, Willow found herself echoing all the plans she’d heard Bailey talk about. “And just think how cozy it will be once it’s done, you know? A perfect, idyllic little mountain escape for newlyweds…”
She glanced over at Dallas and was startled to see a grim set to his jaw and an odd look she couldn’t name in his eyes. Was he…upset?
She’d just been talking about happy couples and newlyweds and?—
Willow nearly smacked herself as she stifled a groan. Ugh. She was an insensitive jerk. Of course he was thinking about his ex, Loretta. If they’d gotten married like everyone thought they would, the wedding probably would have been happening right about now.
She closed the distance between them and tackled Dallas with a hug. “I’m sorry.” Her voice was muffled against his jacket.
He patted her back. “Why are you sorry?”
She pulled away to look up at him. “I didn’t mean to bring back memories of Loretta.”
Chapter Twelve
Loretta.
The name spun in a loop in Dallas’s brain before an image of his ex filled his mind’s eye.
Oh good grief. Why were they talking about Loretta?
“Uh…,” he started.
But Willow was shaking her head, looking even guiltier now than she had when he’d caught up with her in the woods. Which was saying something. His little sister’s demeanor had screamed culpability when he’d first found her.
He’d seen that flash of “busted” flicker across her face before she’d managed to hide it. He nearly called her out but didn’t want to get her all upset like he had last time. He was trying to play it cool, win the truth out of her in that affable way Brandon would be able to do.
It wasn’t his style, but it was worth a shot, right?
He knew not to bring up boyfriends or her dating life.
But he hadn’t expected to be talking about his failing romance.
Willow pulled back to peer up at him. “That’s what you were thinking about, right?”
He stared at her. What he’d been thinking about…?
Not exactly.
He swallowed hard and nodded. Yup. Sure. His longtime girlfriend was who he’d been thinking of while talking about honeymoons and cozy staycations.
It definitely hadn’t been Ronnie freakin’ Colbert.
