Page 236 of One More Kiss

“What? Oh, yes, she was fine. Just ate some bad food.”

“That’s too bad, I’m glad she’s okay.”

“Thanks.”

“Here, I can take those back inside for you.” Brett took the roses out of her hands. “Can we talk for a minute?”

“Sure.” She turned to Simon and Adam. “The orange tags go in the storage container; the red tags go into the garage.”

“You got it, boss,” Adam responded, and she followed Brett toward the house.

“I fear I made quite the ass out of myself last night.”

“Why would you think that?”

He set the flowers down on an entry table in the house and walked into a sitting room off the hall.

“Well, first of all, I criticized your work, which was not my intention. And second, I think I gave you the wrong impression of how I felt about your choice of meal.”

He smiled, and she could see he was nervous. Maybe there was hope for him after all. Too bad she no longer wanted the man in front of her but rather the veteran she shared an apartment with.

“Look, it really is okay, Brett.”

He put his hand up. “No, it’s not. You had to fake an emergency to leave, Bailey.”

“I-”

“It’s alright. I can't blame you.” He reached forward and took her hands. “I was just nervous. You are so beautiful; it’s intimidating.”

She gaped at him. “I’m intimidating? You’re a rich philanthropist, and I’m an interior designer with a taste for beer.”

“I think you’re great.” He smiled. “Maybe you can give me another chance?”

“I, uh, sure.”

He beamed. “Wonderful. Can I pick you up tonight?”

“I actually have plans, but if you’re interested, you can join in. I’m going with some of my friends to Livewire.”

“That sounds wonderful.”

“Great, see you at nine. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get this stuff done before your mother changes her mind again.”

“Sounds good.”

She started to turn away, and he pulled her arm. When she looked back at him, he leaned down and took her mouth with his.

* * *

Simon nearly droppedhis side of the table he and Adam were carrying.

“What’s wrong?” Adam followed Simon’s eyes and saw Bailey lip-locked with some fancy man in a suit. “Oh.” He recognized the look in Simon’s eyes and took a deep breath. Shit. “So, who the hell is the suit?”

“I’m pretty sure it’s the guy she went out with last night.”

“The one that Brooklyn called in the fake emergency on.”

“Yeah, that would be the one.”

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