Page 45 of Payoff Pitch
Fallon smiles. “You’re so good with her.” She grabs her own ponytail. “Harper got my not straight yet not curly, pain in the ass hair.”
“It’s worth the hassle to get your eyes. They’re so gorgeous. I’ve never seen anyone with the same shade as the two of you.”
“Thank you. What can I do to help?”
I start taking things out of the refrigerator and cabinets. “You can sit on your behind and open a bottle of wine. Tanner said it’s been hard for you since your parents got back. It’s okay to take a minute for you.”
She nods in gratitude as she makes her way into the wine cellar just off the kitchen. She yells out, “Are we drinking red or white?”
I yell back, “I’ll be alone with Harper. I’m not drinking.”
“It’s one glass, Bailey. I won’t tell your boss. And he can’t judge. He’s single-handedly keeping the whiskey industry in business.”
I let out a laugh. “True. Whatever you want. I don’t care. Just a half a glass though.”
She walks back out with a big smile. “Let’s all thank Tanner for this thousand-dollar bottle of cabernet.”
My chin nearly drops to the floor. “A thousand dollars? For one bottle? That’s nuts.”
She nods. “I agree.” Her eyelids flutter. “But it’sdamngood.”
“It better be good. It should give you an orgasm for that amount.” I cover my mouth. “Sorry.”
She giggles. “It’s fine. I’m not sure I remember orgasms, but the fading memories are fond ones.”
I look at her in surprise as I cut up the vegetables. “You don’t date? You’re gorgeous, funny, accomplished, and all-around amazing. Men must be lined up for you.”
Fallon is one of those women who don’t need an ounce of makeup or fancy clothes to appear sexy. It’s effortless. Her body looks like she spends hours in the gym, even though I know she doesn't.
She pours twofullglasses, hands me mine, plops down in a chair, and then lets out a long breath. “I think divorce hits men and women differently. Men can more easily remove emotion when getting back out there. It’s been a little harder for me. Plus, I’ve been working longer hours since the divorce. I either work or am with Harper. And now I have to help my parents. It doesn’t leave a lot of time for me.”
“You’re a physical therapist, right?”
She nods. “Yes, I work in the rehab center at Philly Hospital. The major injuries department. I load the days I don’t have Harper so I can be with her when I have her. It’s hard only having her half the time. I don’t like to miss a minute of it.”
The veggies are sizzling, and the chicken is cooking. I allow myself my first sip. Wow, it’s good. Not a thousand dollars good, but certainly the best I’ve ever had.
I look at her. “You should get out there, Fallon. You have so much to offer.”
“Maybe I’ll think about putting myself out there when Harper is back in school. Do you date?”
“Not as much as I’d like. Remember, I’m new to the area and we’re in season. Maybe when the season is over.”
She smirks and echoes my words to her. “You should get out there, Bailey. You have so much to offer.”
I smile. “Touché.”
“What do you do for fun? Twenty-eight and unattached sounds both magical and like it was a hundred years ago, even though it was only ten.”
“In addition to heavy workouts given my profession, I do normal things. I hang out with my sister and my friends, listen to music, eat, drink, and all that kind of stuff.”
“Music? Now you’re speaking my language. Who’s your favorite band?”
Without hesitation, I answer, “Coldplay. I know it dates me a little bit, but I love them.”
“Have you ever seen them in concert?”
“No. Have you?”