Page 9 of Seeking Her Studs
Lacey is fluttering around from table to table, busy as can be. I think about asking her to come over to Colt with me to break the tension, but even she can’t save me from this.
I take two steps in his direction. From this angle, I can see he’s sitting with a tall blonde woman. I wonder who she is to him? His girlfriend? She starts laughing at something he says and it’s a little too hard if you ask me. How funny could he possibly be?
She licks her lips when her laughter settles down and looks at him like he’s a prime cut of steak and she hasn’t eaten in years. I have second-hand embarrassment because I’ve looked at him the very same way.
Okay, screw this. I can’t face Colt Rile. I’ll find another way to get access to the trailer. I turn on my heel to head for the door and realize my mistake immediately.
I crash into someone who I can immediately say two things about. One, she is lighter than me, so I send her flying back no matter how hard I try to steady her. Two, she was holding something bright red and sticky. And I say ‘was’ because now instead, it’s all over me.
“I’m so sorry,” I say as I bend down to offer a hand to who I can now see is a young teen girl wearing a Mae’s Diner apron and holding tight to an empty Shirly Temple glass. At the very least, I’m glad that none of the drink seems to have gotten on her. Which explains why I feel like I’ve just gone swimming in a pool of red sticky syrup because I’m soaked in the stuff.
Before she can take my hand, a large frame bends down and lifts her. I stare at the same back of the head that I’ve been examining from the four booths away as Colt lifts the young girl to her feet. I get a close-up view of his back rippling under his dress shirt and a rush of a woodsy scent that makes me feel like I’ve transported back in time to five years ago when I got to be this close to him often.
“Are you okay, Kaylee?” Colt’s voice is deep and full of concern.
I take a second look at the girl. It dawns on me that it’s Kaylee Rile, who I haven’t seen since she was just a little kid. It also dawns on me that I just accidentally assaulted Colt’s little sister.
“I-” I start to apologize again, but now I see Kaylee’s face has transformed into an expression that I know very well. She recognizes me.
Before I can get my words out, she’s already off to the races.
“Blaire Evans, oh my gosh. I am so sorry. I swear I didn’t know it was you, I was just trying to deliver-”
“Kaylee,” Colt’s voice is firmly directed at her, but he’s turned towards me. He looks like the same gorgeous man I’ve known, but small lines are starting to etch their way into his tanned skin. Somehow, it only makes him look more handsome. His deep brown eyes take me in as he continues to speak. “You have nothing to apologize for. Just because Miss Evans is a celebrity doesn’t mean she’s not in the wrong. Even famous people mess up.”
I open my mouth to agree with him, but somehow the statement feels too pointed. What are we even talking about here?
Instead, I address Kaylee.
“I’m so sorry, Kaylee. I didn’t see you.”
“I ruined your outfit!” She exclaims, horrified. “And it’s so cute. And it must have cost a billion dollars. And-”
“Kaylee-” Colt starts, but I interrupt him.
“I didn’t even like this outfit.” I stop her. “You did me a favor.”
“Everything okay here?” Lacey comes up behind Kaylee, holding a tray filled with steaming food.
“It’s my fault,” I explain. “I bumped into her.”
Lacey examines the scene and sighs impatiently. “Alright, well then, if you could all kindly stop clogging up my aisles. Colt, will you finally take Blaire to Gram’s camper so she can clear that trunk of a suitcase out of here? And Kaylee, do you mind cleaning this up?”
Colt looks at me skeptically as he pats Kaylee on the shoulder, spurring her to get moving. I give Kaylee a small wave goodbye as she carries on.
“Finally remembered you have unfinished business here, then? That camper has been rotting away on our property for five years.” Colt’s eyes take my measure, looking me up and down as if I’m hiding some secret from him.
But all I’m trying to hide is my bruised ego.
Before I can answer, an unfamiliar feminine voice sounds off behind us.
“Alright, well, good to see you, Colt. You’ll send over the invoice later?” The blonde woman speaks and I hate the relief that washes over me from learning she’s only a business associate and not his girlfriend. She hands him his black Stetson cowboy hat from the table. He takes it and fits it back on his head in one smooth motion.
“Right.” He tips the brim of his hat to her in gratitude. “I’ll send it out when I get home.”
She gives me a tight smile in acknowledgment and walks out the door.
Colt steps away from me and I wonder if he’s going to leave me and let me figure it out on my own, which would actually be perfectly reasonable. I’m a grown woman and I probably should have rented a car or something.