Despite all their conversations, she was no closer to understanding his history with Rafe, but to be fair, she hadn’t broached the subject again. He’d asked that they put Rafe on the back burner, and she was doing her best to oblige. Not that it had helped her dreams because the more she tried to pretend Rafe didn’t exist, the more he haunted her when she was asleep. To make matters worse, Holt was always there, too, and somehow Bailey had found herself caught in the middle of two sexy men. Only they didn’t know about it. And she didn’t plan to tell them, either.
“There’s not much to my place,” Bailey explained when she opened the door to her apartment. “I just moved in, and this is the first place I’ve lived on my own. Rex was kind enough to let me steal a few pieces of furniture they weren’t using anymore. I’m waiting to save a few paychecks before I buy anything to start decorating.”
“I wasn’t looking at the furnishings.”
Bailey turned to see he was actually looking at her butt.
“Perv,” she teased as she moved around him. “This is the living room. Kitchen’s right there. There are two bedrooms, but one’s empty. I’m not sure what I want to do with it yet.”
“Maybe a reading room,” Holt suggested.
Bailey considered it. “That’s not a bad idea. It has great light and a nice view of the back of the property. I’ll just be a few minutes.”
“Take your time.”
She hurried down the hall to the bathroom. It didn’t take long for her to wash her face, apply a little bit of mascara and eye shadow and brush her hair. She spritzed body spray on her arms, chest, and belly, then headed for her bedroom. She changed into a white skirt and a light blue sleeveless summer top, then slid her feet into sandals. Thanks to the ridiculous heat, she’d kept up with her pedicures since she could wear sandals to work.
When she came out, she found Holt standing in the living room, peering out the window toward the park across the street.
He turned when he heard her, and Bailey’s breath caught when he slid an approving gaze over her.
“You look beautiful.”
She grinned. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
He flattened his hand on his chest and smoothed out his maroon T-shirt. “This ol’ thing?”
When Holt led the way toward the door, it was her turn to oglehisbutt.
“I can feel you looking, little rabbit.”
Her cheeks warmed, and she choked on a laugh.
Fifteen minutes later, they were seated at a booth along the front wall of the restaurant. It overlooked the parking lot, and with the sun beginning to set, the view wasn’t half bad.
Of course, the view across the table was far more impressive.
“So chicken livers, huh?” Holt asked as he skimmed the menu, his nostrils flaring in disgust.
“Have you ever had them?”
“No.” His eyes lifted. “And I can’t say I’m eager to.”
“They’ve got great chicken fried chicken.”
The waitress arrived to take their order. Bailey went with the livers, Holt the chicken fried chicken with mashed potatoes. Once the waitress jotted it all down, she promised to bring sweet tea and rolls as soon as possible.
“You know, I’ve had dinner here almost every night since I got to town.”
Bailey’s eyebrows rose. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t—”
“I’m not complaining. Not at all. I’m quite impressed with their selection. I haven’t had the same thing twice.” He grinned. “Well, except for the chicken fried chicken. Tonight’ll be the second time.”
Her smile formed slowly. “So you didn’t need my suggestion.”
“Suggest away. I don’t mind at all.”
Bailey blushed and glanced down at her hands.
