Page 243 of One More Kiss

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“So,wait, he offered his fine ass up to you on a silver platter, and you turned him down?” Ada scoffed. “You feeling alright, Bales?”

“I’m fine.” Bailey rolled back onto her back and closed her eyes against the sun. All the girls were sitting outside on the deck while the men water skied, using the boat Adam had rented. “I just don’t think jumping into anything with Simon is a good idea.”

“Have you not seen him shirtless? Anything with that many abs is a great idea.”

“I live with him, Ada. When it ends, it’s going to be awkward.”

“You mean if it ends,” Pam added.

“I don’t have the greatest track record when it comes to relationships.”

“You’ve only ever dated douchebags,” Brooklyn blurted. “Sorry, but it’s true.”

“You’re not wrong,” Bailey admitted.

“Besides, you know Simon as a friend. That would be a first for you.” Lillian offered.

“A first because I have strict rules about dating my friends.”

“Oh please, you’ve never had a guy friend before. At least, not an available one,” Emma spoke up.

Bailey watched the water as the black ski boat rounded the bay. The cabin was seated right on the edge of the water with only a short dock separating the two. It was too far away to see who was on the board trailing behind, but her mind told her it was Simon.

They’d become friends over the last few weeks, and she looked forward to watching TV with him at the end of nearly every workday. Was she attracted to him? Hell, yes. He was an incredibly attractive guy, but it was more than that. He was more than that to her.

So, what was she so afraid of?

* * *

“I’m gettingway too old to be drinking like that.” Bailey groaned as she made her way into the kitchen on the morning of the Fourth.

“Morning!” Emma chirped and flipped a pancake on the grill.

“Pregnant you vomit more sunshine than I ever thought possible.”

Emma laughed. “I just have a lot to be thankful for.” She grabbed a pot of coffee and poured Bailey a cup.

Bailey took a drink and groaned as the hot liquid slipped down her throat. “Will you marry me instead?”

“If things don’t work out with Owen, maybe I will.” She winked.

“If things don’t work out with me, what will you do?” Owen walked straight over to Emma and wrapped his arms around her from behind to place a kiss on her cheek.

“Bailey proposed.”

“Back off, Bailey. She’s mine.”

“I knew her first,” Bailey bragged.

“Yeah, but she's having my baby.” He patted Emma’s swollen stomach, and Bailey smiled.

“You got me there.”

Owen poured his own cup of coffee and took a seat on the barstool next to Bailey. “Want help, babe?”

“Nah, I’m okay. I like cooking.”

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