Page 9 of Catching Coy
“Cheater,” she had whispered to him when he leaned over her laptop, but she hovered right at his shoulder, smelling like biscuits and a flowery-orange scent. How many times had he wished that he could write out Bellamy’s name on the card for the first date? Yesterday had been a good time with the women, but he’d had more fun in the kitchen with Bellamy, hands down. And they hadn’t even made out—even though Coy was dying to kiss her.
Agnes brought Portia over fifteen minutes later, dropping her off at the front door so the cameras could catch her handing the card over to the women. Lucy had hopped up from the table first, beating Willa, who had started to scoot her chair out. Coy couldn’t help smiling at the way Charlotte reached over for Gillian’s hand as Lucy opened the card.
Lucy had bounced with excitement over hearing her name. “I knew it,” she gushed. “Things feltso rightyesterday.”
He turned his attention away from Lucy though, studying the reactions of the other girls. Willa flat out glared at Lucy, her mouth in a flabbergasted ‘o.’ Gillian’s eyes had narrowed, and she pinched her lips, but a moment later she forced a smile. Charlotte grinned and congratulated Lucy. Stella, like the night before, sat quietly, her expression looking more like curiosity than anything else. Coy had kept her because he felt like he had things to figure out with her. He couldn’t discern any reaction from Bristol, though he might have missed it while watching the others. She had struck him as schooled and careful anyway.
“You’re up,Catch,” Bellamy nudged him.
He stood from the stool he’d sat on at the island. “Wish me luck?”
Bellamy quirked an eyebrow, but not before he caught her jaw tensing. “Good luck.” She shrugged, grabbing a pitcher of water to take out to the table.
“You don’t like Lucy,” he guessed. He hoped she was jealous. He shouldn’t, but he did. He should give this his best shot, but he couldn’t pull his thoughts away from Bellamy.
“It doesn’t matter who I like or dislike. You’re the one looking for love, Coy Jones.” She shrugged and left the kitchen, leaving the door open behind her. It did matter to him who she disliked. Just a couple days in and he trusted her instincts on this. Having her admit that she’d seen every season only served for him to trust her more. She had honed her skills here.
But was there a chance Bellamy was as attracted to him as he was to her? He’d caught her blushes, her breathless responses, but it could just be that he was a famous basketball player. And if she was attracted to him, then could he still trust her evaluations of the other women? Maybe not, but he still wanted her opinion.
He joined the women out in the dining room, and like with the date invitation, Lucy beat the rest of the woman to him, enveloping him in a hug and making a point to pull his head down toward hers for a quick peck. It would be lying to say that he didn’t like the feel of her lips, which were full and soft. Her arms snaked around his neck as she held him close until someone else spoke up from behind her.
“You get him all day, Lucy.” Bristol. A glance up showed her smiling, though it didn’t reach her eyes, and waiting behind Lucy. “Step aside.” She grinned and laughed to soften the direction, but Coy had no doubt she meant to be obeyed.
Lucy grinned up at him and moved aside, allowing Bristol to step into his embrace, followed by Willa, Stella, Charlotte, and Gillian.
“Best for last,” Gillian whispered, lingering over their hug. He had to reach down for her, something that surprised him after hearing she played for UCONN, but shehadbeen a point guard. He ended up lifting her slightly off her feet, and she laughed softly against his cheeks.
“This smells amazing,” Coy announced, taking a place at the middle of the long table. Bellamy glanced up at him before she disappeared down the hall, smirking as the women jockeyed to get a seat near him. Willa took Bristol’s tactic of declaring that Lucy had to step aside for the others, taking one seat next to him. Gillian claimed the other, leaving the rest to scatter around the table.
He laughed and joked with the women as they finished breakfast. It didn’t go unnoticed by him that Bellamy didn’t make another appearance, and he had to check himself multiple times to keep from glancing toward the kitchen to look for her.
He headed for the back door after the meal, intending to glance in and say goodbye to Bellamy before he left the women to get ready for the day, specifically Lucy, who he’d be picking up in half an hour for their date. But the kitchen was empty. Scowling, Coy glanced back to the dining room, wondering how Bellamy had slipped out without him noticing, unless she’d used the back door. He strode through the mudroom and out to the back porch, but Bellamy was nowhere along it, not even nestled among the outdoor sofas and chairs at the far end.
He quelled the disappointment that dropped into his stomach. He had to get his head in the game—and today that meant Lucy got all the attention.
* * *
Gillian, 29
Salt Lake City, Utah
CEO, Girls Play
“Of course I’m disappointed that I didn’t get alone time with Coy, but I’m not worried. We’re playing basketball tomorrow, which I’m pretty good at. We have something big in common, and that’s a good foundation for our relationship.”
* * *
The confused expressionon Lucy’s face—nose scrunched up and eyebrows pinched—was pretty darn cute as she stared at the horse in front of her. “How am I supposed to get in the saddle?”
Coy pointed to the mounting block one of the Arrow C ranch hands had set out. “Use that and put your feet in the stirrups to hoist yourself. Casey here will make sure the horse stays still for you.” Coy pointed to the ranch hand standing at the horse’s head.
Lucy stepped onto the mounting block and put her hands on the saddle but turned to Coy and tilted her head. “I’m still going to need help.”
He chuckled and stepped forward, putting his hands on her waist to help lift her into the saddle. She pulled on the saddle horn, steading herself as she swung a leg over and then situated herself.
At six-seven, Coy was tall enough for her to lean over and put her hand against his cheek, guiding him closer for a kiss. He leaned up into the kiss, resting his hands on her legs as he took a step nearer.
But it didn’t help the electric moment that as soon as he pulled away, he caught sight of the cameras. He forced himself not to look over at them. Agnes had drilled that into him non-stop. Make things look natural. Ignore the cameras.
