Page 60 of Baby, Be Mine

“Because of her?”

She looked down with a soft smile. “She’s definitely part of it, but I think a bigger part of me being interested in drama was just me pretending I was someone else.”

Because she didn’t like who she was? I couldn’t see that with how bubbly she was. She had the magnetism part down pat anyway.

She crossed her eyes and made a funny face. “Sorry. I’m sure you didn’t sign up for story time with Emma today.”

“Sundays are our slower days. It’s kind of nice to take a break.”

“I get the idea you don’t do that much.”

I folded my arms on the rail, my attention on a sailboat across the lake. It felt like a million years ago when I’d been able to take time to get on my own boat. So long I’d actually moved it over to the dock at my house, hoping I’d use it more.

Definitely not the case.

I sighed. “There’s always so much to do. And hiring people should be freaking easier.”

“Can’t say I’m mad about that since it means I get the job.”

“Trial basis.”

“Sure.” She patted my arm. “You keep telling yourself that.”

She had no idea how many times I’d had to remind myself. For myriad reasons at this point.

“You hungry?”

Her smile widened. “I’m always hungry, remember?”

“Just like this little one.” I reached down to flick my finger over the tiny foot that was hanging out of the intricate wrap thing she wore.

Her little foot flexed, and I curled my finger back into my hand as I pushed away from the rail. So tiny and fragile.

“Going to try Henry’s Big Mac?”

“As long as there’s fries.”

“Loaded fries are on the menu today.”

She rubbed her hands together. “Now that’s what I like to hear.”

As we walked back down the ramp to the dock, she looked up at the oak again. “Did you read my email about the lights?”

“I did. And I have a few vendors I can talk to that might give us more for a better price.”

“Make sure you give me a list of those people so I can wrap it into my budget.”

“I didn’t give you the budget yet.”

“I’m just practicing saying the word,” she tossed over her shoulder as she strode across the grass to the path leading back to the restaurant.

I laughed and picked up my pace to chase after her. We were both laughing as we climbed the stairs and found Clint and Kitty seated at a corner table under one of the umbrellas.

“There you guys are.” Clint stood. He glanced from me to her and then back to me with his brows snapped down. “What took so long?”

“Relax, Sparky. We were discussing the party, not doing anything nefarious.”

Slowly, Clint sat back down.

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