Page 38 of Fall for You
“I’m sorry you had to see that,” Bailey said as she led Ronnie back downstairs.
Ronnie laughed. “Don’t worry, I’m not scarred for life. I’ve seen shirtless guys before.”
Granted, it’d never had that effect on her before. She shook her head with a wince. Man, she’d overreacted big-time. And why? Just because he was ripped?
She was a professional athlete, for heaven’s sake. A hot body was nothing new. She just… hadn’t expectedDallas Kingto be so hot, that was all.
The guy was stupidly handsome, he’d always been smart, and sometimes maybe even funny—and he had to go and have a six-pack to boot?
It wasn’t fair, really.
Bailey gave her a funny look over her shoulder. “I meant, I’m sorry I turned into a twelve-year-old back there with Dallas.”
Ronnie chuckled. “You weren’t that bad.”
Bailey rolled her eyes. “I was. I’m trying to work on it, but…ugh.” She shook her head with a huff. “Dallas just knows how to push all my buttons.”
Ronnie slung an arm around her friend’s shoulders. “Well, it’s good to see some things haven’t changed, then.”
Bailey laughed and pulled them off course from the greenhouse. “Come on, let’s go this way first. Willow will be bummed if you don’t check out the kitchen. It’s her pride and joy.”
Bailey led the way through swinging doors into a kitchen that was bustling with activity and rich with smells so good that Ronnie’s mouth immediately started watering.
“Oh my gosh.” She took in an exaggerated sniff. “I think I want to live in this smell forever.”
“Thanks.” A cute woman with long dark braids and chestnut skin grinned beside the oven. “That’s my apple, cinnamon, and raisin cake.” To Bailey, she added, “It’s Mr. Overland’s birthday, so I offered to make it special.”
Bailey looked like she might cry. She was so happy. “Thank you, April!” She turned back to Ronnie. “Ronnie, meet April. She’s making the cake for Margot’s wedding.”
“Oh!” Ronnie brightened. “So you’re the genius my sister’s been raving about.”
April laughed. “I don’t know that I’d say that…”
“I would!” Willow bounded over and tackled Ronnie with a hug. “Ronnie! Oh wow, it’s so good to see you again.”
Ronnie hugged the girl tight. Although… She pulled back to look at the woman she used to think of as a younger sister. “You’re a grown-up!”
Bailey wrapped an arm around Willow and tousled her hair. “Don’t say that. She’ll always be my kid sister.” She adopted a tone best suited for baby talk. “Our little Tinkerbell.”
Willow stuck her tongue out, making them all laugh.
Ronnie had a blast catching up with Willow and getting to know April and the part-timers, who smiled but were clearly too busy to chat.
A pretty brunette flew in while they were talking. “Willow, do you want me to make the salad Mrs. Overland requested or—oh. Sorry! Didn’t mean to interrupt.”
Bailey turned to the woman with a smile. “You’re not interrupting. We should let Willow and April get back to work. And I’m glad you’re here.” She turned to Ronnie again. “Ronnie, meet my future sister-in-law and the mother of my favorite nephew?—”
“Her only nephew,” the woman interrupted.
“This is Giselle, Brandon’s fiancée,” Bailey finished. “Giselle, meet Ronnie.”
“Oh, I’ve heard so much about you!” Giselle’s eyes went wide. “I hope this isn’t weird, but…I have been a fan your whole career. Can I just…fangirlfor a sec?” She giggled.
Bailey and Ronnie looked at each other and then burst out laughing.
Fangirl?
Man, it’d felt like a long time since she’d had that happen.
