Page 239 of One More Kiss

“Whatever do you mean?” Brooklyn feigned innocence.

“Why do you keep pushing Simon on her?”

“I just think they would be a good match.”

“You set them up,” she accused.

Brooklyn shrugged. “He needed a place to live, and Bailey needed a roommate for the rest of the year.”

“You so did!” Emma pointed at her. “Good one.”

Brooklyn sighed. “Fine, I did it on purpose. Simon is a really good man, and Bailey deserves one for once.”

“You’re right, but you know Bailey doesn’t like anything too complicated. Do you really think she's going to go for a guy she’s living with?”

“I think Simon is the perfect complication for her because, when things get real, she won’t be able to just run.”

Ada started to agree, but Bailey came back to the table. Here was hoping Brooklyn was right because, while Bailey was stubborn, underneath, they all knew she wasn’t immune to heartache.

“We’re still going to the cabin for the Fourth, right?” Bailey asked as she took her seat. Every year since they were eighteen, they’d spent July Fourth on Lake Texoma at Brooklyn’s parents’ cabin. Margaritas, bikini lines, and hot tub time had become a ritual for them and something they all looked forward to each year. Of course, Emma would have to sit out two of those three activities this time.

“Yeah, why?” Pam wondered.

“Just making sure. I turned down a beach house.” She laughed. “I wanted to make sure I didn’t need to come up with another lie as to why I couldn’t go with him.”

“This year should be a lot more fun, too, since we won't have to unpack everything by ourselves.” Emma smiled. “We get to put Owen, Adam, Tucker, and Simon to work.”

Bailey straightened. “Simon’s coming?”

“That okay?” Brooklyn wondered.

“Of course, I live with the guy, so it’s not like I don’t see him. I just think seeing him in shorts all weekend might bring out those primal urges we were talking about.”

* * *

“Ugh, it has been a day.”Bailey plopped down on the couch beside Simon. She’d spent the last three hours with her latest client, a man who was so focused on looking at her ass that he couldn’t form any kind of rational thought.

“That bad, huh?” Simon took a pull of his beer.

“Yes. I am ready to veg out tonight. Pizza and beer, roomie?”

“Sounds great, I’m already two down in the beer department.”

“I guess I better catch up then.” She got to her feet to grab her tablet from the counter. “Pepperoni okay?”

“Is there any other kind?”

“True statement.” After placing the order for the pizza and changing into some yoga pants and a giant t-shirt, Bailey grabbed a beer and sat down next to Simon again.

“Want to watch a movie? I rented the last Avengers movie.”

“Definitely. I haven’t seen that one yet.”

She snuggled deeper into the couch and pulled a blanket over her lap. “Want some? I’ll share.”

“Thanks.” Simon swallowed hard when she scooted closer and tossed the other half of the blanket over him.

About a quarter of the way into the movie, there was a knock on the door.

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