Page 30 of Fall for You
With an apologetic wince, Willow walked away. Dallas stayed where he was and gave his head a little shake.
Had he actually been imagining a romantic escape with Ronnie?
Sure, she was hot. She’d always been pretty, and there was no denying that she’d only grown more exquisite in the years since they’d seen each other. But she was also Ronnie Colbert—Bailey’s friend and partner in crime.
He’d dumped frogs on her lap once upon a time. And she’d retaliated by sticking a snake in his fort.
A smile tugged at his lips as he followed Willow to the old cabin. Unlike Bailey, who just got mad, Ronnie had been so fun to mess with. She’d get that wild spark in her eyes, and he’d just know she’d come back at him giving as good as she got.
Except for the other day. He scrubbed the back of his neck as regret ate at him again. He’d only meant to joke around like old times, but it’d been clear from the start that she wasn’t her old self.
Sure, she’d gotten angry, but…it wasn’t the same.
He’d meant to tease out a spark, not poke a wounded animal. And that was what it had felt like. Maybe he should apologize.
But also…
Irritation swiftly replaced guilt as he recalled the way they’d parted.
Yeah, maybe not.
“How are things between you two anyway?” Willow called over her shoulder.
He blinked at her back.
His sister turned, studying him for a moment as if working out how safe this topic really was. “Have you seen Loretta lately? Or are we doing anything but talking about her?”
Heat surged up his neck, and he scratched his beard. Crap. She was still thinking his stewing silence was about Loretta.
“Uh…” He scrambled for something to say that wouldn’t have Willow hugging him again.
Not that he minded her hugs—she’d always been the most effusive of the siblings, and it was sweet. But he didn’t need her sympathy.
“She’s doing well.” He followed Willow into the ramshackle old shed. “She’s got a new boyfriend. Remember Darius Hayes from church?”
He nearly bumped into Willow when she stopped short inside the cold, damp cabin to stare at him. “She’s already with someone else?”
Dallas flinched. He loved his sister, but he did not love the horror on his behalf. He also didn’t love that she seemed to instantly have the same suspicions that he’d had when he’d found out.
“They’re coworkers, right? When did they…?”
He cleared his throat, avoiding her eyes. “Yeah, they got together pretty much right after Loretta broke up with me.”
There. He’d said it.
When he turned back, Willow was still gaping at him. He raised a pointed brow in her direction and she caught herself, clamping her mouth shut. “I’m so sorry, Dallas.”
“Don’t be.” He shrugged. “I’m fine. It’s for the best.”
It was the truth. But he could see she didn’t totally believe him.
Willow frowned, and Dallas turned his attention to the old bedframe and the empty crates that littered the floor. “We’ve got our work cut out for us.”
“But everyone thought you two would get married,” Willow murmured.
Annnd they were still talking about this.
He turned to give her a wry smile. “Everyone but Loretta.”
