Page 32 of A Sinful Trap

“Let’s not rehash any of it for Bailey right now.” His smile was strained and she wondered how long he’d been listening to them bicker. “Not when she’s the one with the news.”

Jace scowled. “You mean the Locke guy? Is Mr. Moneybags the Third giving you any trouble at the inn? I saw them working on the roof the other day. Celeste is steamed he didn’t hire her.”

“Don’t be so judgmental,” Liam said. “He made that money on his own. I’m the one with the family inheritance. Pick on me instead.”

Jace snorted. “Nah, you work for a living and I like you. Even if you are pussy whipped. Anyway, Locke could buy your family’s restaurant chain with his pocket change, from what I hear. I’m not sure why one person needs all that money or that much land. Seems greedy to me.”

She didn’t like the way they were discussing Cam. She might have had the same thoughts a few days ago, but not now that she’d met him. He wasn’t that.

Nick cleared his throat, looking uncomfortable. “I hear he does good things with that money. Gives land to people who need it.”

Bailey clung to his words, unaccountably grateful. “He does?”

“I can’t believe you know who we’re talking about,” Jace grumbled at his roommate. “I mean, he’s still alive and not made of stone, or some trickster spirit that you shouldn’t be hanging out with anyway.”

Nick’s expression grew pinched.

Meanwhile, Liam looked ready to throttle Jace.

She put her hand on his shoulder. “Angel food? I’m starving, so I’m going to order for us. We always get the same thing here, so I know what they want. Can you go out on the patio and make sure they save our table? And let me know if you see Dani and Kaya. I can’t believe they aren’t here yet.”

Liam got off his stool so fast she nearly laughed and ruined the charade. “Yes, ma’am.”

“There goes a gentleman,” she sighed dramatically, tapping Jace and Nick on their backs. “Play nice, boys, I like this place. And Mama needs some food with her girl talk.”

She walked around the bar and snuck through the kitchen door to find Benny in his usual spot by the grill. “Hey there, B-man. Don’t mind me, I’m hiding for a minute to help out a friend.”

The frown that had always seemed as much a permanent fixture as his Hawaiian shirts disappeared when he saw her. “Bailey. You know you’re welcome anytime, girl. Did you bring those friends of yours?”

At her nod, he started prepping the food for what she knew was going to be their regular order. He was a bear, but his center was gooey old marshmallow if you dug deep enough.

“Would you add an extra helping of nachos for Liam? How are things going?” she asked when he gave her a thumbs up.

“Couldn’t be better unless I was surfing.” He always said that. “But I should be asking you that question. Your inn is buzzing with people. And I heard you hired Ava. I hope that doesn’t mean you’ll stop coming to see me.”

“That’s never going to happen. I love it here. It’s technically the closest I’ve ever been to the beach.”

Benny clutched his heart. “I swear, I need to fix that before I die. No one should go through life without sticking their toes in the ocean.”

“Whenever you and Kashi are ready, I’m willing to tag along.”

She always said that, too. It was comforting to know what was going to happen. To know people well enough that you could guess what they were going to say or going to order. Cam and Davide might find it boring, but for Bailey, it made her feel connected.

They’d probably been to plenty of beaches all over the world. She could see them lazing on the sand. Rubbing sunscreen on each other’s bodies. Kissing, waist deep in the water, Cam’s hand disappearing beneath the concealing waves to grip both their erections and—

“Bailey? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, Benny.” She cupped her cheeks, knowing they were bright red. “I think I’m overheated and hungry, that’s all.”

Hornywas the word.

Not the time.

“You go get your table and I’ll have Flora bring out your lunch when it’s ready.”

“Good idea.” She started toward the door but Benny’s light touch on her shoulder stopped her. “What is it?”

“Next week,” he said, looking uncomfortable. “Kashi and I have been together three years next week.”

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