But the moment she’d learned of Rex’s need for someone to manage the Double R Retreat, she’d immediately sent him her resume. She would’ve been elated if she hadn’t been one of about three dozen, according to the conversation she’d overheard between Jack and Rex. Instead, she was merely determined.
She took another moment to smooth down her hair. She contemplated pulling it up in a ponytail when her cell phone buzzed.
Snagging it from the bathroom counter, she smiled when she saw it was a text message from Rafe.
What time’s your shift tonight?
Bailey responded with:
Mack gave me the night off so I could either celebrate or sulk, depending on how it goes with my interview.
As she always did, Bailey stared at her phone as though that would make Rafe respond faster.
Deep down, she knew it was wrong to harbor these feelings for a man who wasn’t Seth. She tried to tell herself it was okay because they were only friends, that as long as she didn’t admit it aloud, no one would be the wiser. With that said, if Rafe would simply ask for something more, she’d jump at the chance.
She didn’t want to think too long or hard about what that said about her. She should’ve ended things with Seth long ago, but she’d gotten comfortable with her life. She wouldn’t go so far as to say she was happy, but she was familiar with it. She knew what to expect from him, even if it wasn’t wine or roses or even a sweet gesture from time to time.
It was the same with her jobs. She didn’t hate them, but she wouldn’t go so far as to say she liked them, either. On the plus side, they were in Coyote Ridge, but aside from being able to work with her mom at the bakery and Mack and Rafe at Moonshiners, Bailey didn’t look forward to going. She did it because she’d made the commitment, and if her mother had taught her anything at all, it was that she was to follow through on them.
Hence the reason she was twenty-four years old, living with a man she wasn’t sure she even liked anymore and working at a job that paid her bills but did little else for her.
At the same time, she knew neither the bakery nor Moonshiners would be the stopping point on her career highway. She couldn’t say the B and B would either, but she figured she wouldn’t know unless she tried.
Bailey gave up waiting for Rafe to respond. She finished getting ready, adding another coat of mascara and a quick swipe of gloss on her lips before grabbing her phone to pull up her Uber app. As she was doing that, another text message came through from Rafe.
I’ll give you a ride to the B and B when you’re ready.
She smiled at the phone, feeling a warmth in her chest that no one else could put there. It felt good to know Rafe cared enough to do something like that. And while she appreciated the gesture, Bailey knew it was wrong to lean on him like that. The last thing she wanted to do was get comfortable with Rafe and screw up what had turned out to be a great friendship.
You’re very sweet to offer, but it’s okay.
I’m already here. Quit making excuses.
That warmth in her chest turned into a glow, one she thought would have sunlight coming out of her eyes.
“Rafe Sharpe, don’t you know I’m already in love with you?” she whispered. “Things like this aren’t helpin’ me with it.”
Bailey went to the window, peeked through the sheer curtain to see that, sure enough, his truck was parked out front. The giddy feeling that charged her insides was something she’d gotten used to. Although she’d thought Seth was capable of making her feel that way, she’d realized too late that Rafe was the only one who could.
Because there was no way she could say no, she messaged him back.
Be out in 5.
She took that allotted time to look at herself once more in the mirror. Satisfied, she grabbed the small crossbody purse she carried everywhere and tossed her phone and lip gloss inside. It took effort, but she managed to stop the riot of nerves long enough to march out the door, down the creaky porch steps, and out to Rafe’s truck.
Before she could get to it, Rafe was out and walking around to open the passenger door, something he always did for her. It melted her heart that he was such a gentleman. Just one more thing she loved about him.
“Hey,” she greeted with a smile. “You didn’t have to do this but thank you.”
“Anytime, darlin’.” He smiled, a flash of white teeth on his beautiful face.
Her heart melted just a little more.
***
“You look … all professional-like,” Rafe toldBailey after he climbed into the driver’s side.
What he wanted to tell her was that she looked good enough to eat, but that wasn’t appropriate, considering.
