To say Bailey had hated her instantly would’ve been an understatement.
But Ivy wasn’t her problem anymore. Bailey had put the busty blonde out of her mind as soon as her last shift ended. Or at least she’d tried to. Unfortunately, her last image of the woman was when she was leaning over the bar, grinning at Rafe while he smiled back at her. Bailey had wanted to drive a corkscrew through her eye.
That had been a week ago. Bailey hadn’t seen Ivy or Rafe since then and didn’t want to. Even the thought of seeing them together or hearing someone mention he was now dating her made her stomach churn. It would happen. The rumors. Even if they weren’t together, the rumor would be that they were. And then what? Maybe itwouldcome true?
Not that she cared.
She couldn’t.
She wouldn’t.
Nope.
Rafe Sharpe was free to do whatever and whoever he wanted. His lack of communication these past few weeks made it painfully clear that their friendship was pretty much a thing of the past. When she’d been working at the bar, he’d been cordial. But she hadn’t heard a single thing from him since her employment ended. Now that she wasn’t seeing him at Moonshiners, her imagination was running away with wild and crazy ideas. And since that wasn’t the best use of her time, she was putting every ounce of brainpower into her new job.
Several hours later, after the cookies were snagged by guests wandering through and after all the expected arrivals had been checked in, Bailey was finishing the last of the dinner dishes when Rex strolled in through the back door. He sniffed the air and groaned.
“No one told me you were makin’ meatloaf.”
“We had some late arrivals, so I thought I would make it easy on them.”
“You’re gonna spoil these people.”
That was her plan. If it meant they would tell their friends, Bailey was more than happy to serve home-cooked meals on Fridays.
She grinned over her shoulder. “I saved you and Jack some. It’s in the Tupperware in the fridge.”
“Have I mentioned I love you?”
Grinning, she turned off the sink and grabbed a towel to dry her hands.
“All the guests have arrived. The Coopermans are out visiting the family they have in the area. Mr. Ingram and his lady friend went into Austin for the evenin’. Ms. Bellamy turned in early after askin’ for information on Austin’s nightlife. I think she’ll venture out tomorrow night,” she informed him. “Rooms four and six are ready for tomorrow’s arrivals.”
“And Holt?” Rex prompted.
“Um.” Bailey swallowed. “I … uh…” Once again, her cheeks flamed from embarrassment. “He asked me to join him for music in the park. I told him I was workin’.”
Rex’s gaze bounced over her face. Bailey wasn’t sure what he was looking for, but his response surprised her.
“You should go.”
“What?”
Okay, maybe that came out slightly more abrupt than she’d meant for it to.
“Go. It’s Friday night; as you said, all the guests are checked in. Sounds to me like you can spare an hour or two to enjoy yourself.”
“I need to finish gettin’ my things unpacked in my apartment.”
Rex rolled his eyes. “If I know you, that was done a couple of hours after me and Jack delivered the last of your bags from Seth’s.”
Fine. He had her there. Rex had been kind enough to go to Seth’s and get her things so she didn’t risk another encounter with him. To her surprise, Rex said Seth had been completely cordial, helping Rex and Jack to pack it all up. She had no idea what Seth’s angle was, but she’d come to learn the man didn’t usually do nice things for the hell of it. She figured, if nothing else, he did it to keep her on edge because she would be until she figured out what he was up to.
“It’ll be good for you,” Rex said. “Relax and enjoy yourself.”
Bailey considered it for a moment. “Fine.”
As soon as she committed to going, excitement fizzled in her veins. She wouldn’t mind spending a little time outdoors with some good music and the company of a handsome man.
