Page 2 of Accidental Baby For My Brother’s Best Friend

“How’d you manage to raise enough money for a tour?” I ask, and I don’t know if I’m really curious or if I just want to find out what it’s like to have a normal conversation with Gemma.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” she teases, but she gives me a genuine smile. And I’m breathless for a second. It makes me wish I’d taken a second shot of tequila instead of a beer to take on stage.

I probably should have kept quiet, but I can’t help myself. I raise an eyebrow, and Gemma laughs, loud and open, those green eyes sparkling.

I look down into my beer again as she speaks. This carefree Gemma is having an unexpected effect on me. Not good.

“We’ve been getting a great turnout at these downtown lounges, so I put away twenty percent of the money.”

“That’s smart,” I reply without thinking, and when I look up at her, she tilts her head, looking baffled.

“A compliment? From Locke Kincaid?”

I scoff. “Don’t let it go to your head, little bit.”

Gemma’s happy expression turns into a scowl, and this time, I can’t help but grin. Scowling Gemma I can handle just fine. She’s a lot less easygoing than Jackson, with her dogged determination, and it’s fun to rile her up.

The bartender taps my arm, pointing at the music dials on the wall to ask if we’re ready for soundcheck, and I count my lucky stars that I’m saved from thinking of more ways to rile up Gemma Arden. Or to make her smile again.

Because that can only lead to a wreck. Been there, done that, thank you very much.

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