Page 9 of Good Girls Don't Date Rock Stars (Rock Canyon, Idaho 2)
“I remember you used to get me to see things your way with little effort,” he said, teasing gently.
Her smile was small, but the tension around her eyes was gone. “I remember things differently. I spent a lot of time going along with whatever wild plan you cooked up for us.”
“I seem to remember that the idea for legendary Dreyer’s Ice Cream caper came from you. Mike, Gracie, and I were just along for the ride.”
She gasped and put her hands on her hips, drawing his gaze to the indentation of her waist.
“I said let’s get some ice cream! I didn’t say let’s shoplift a gallon in our jackets!”
“Nope, I remember it clearly. You were the first one out the door.”
“With no ice cream!” she said, shaking her head with a laugh. “You three snuck out, and I went back inside to pay for the two gallons Gracie and you took.”
“Just because you chickened out doesn’t mean it wasn’t your idea.”
“Wrong. If it was my idea, you wouldn’t have ended up with cookie dough ice cream crushed against the front of your T-shirt.”
He had to give her that one. By the time they’d gotten outside, the ice cream had started melting, and when Kirsten Winters had seen him in the parking lot and given him a huge hug, the ice cream had exploded under his jacket and oozed down his body. Gemma had thought it was hilarious, until he’d unzipped his jacket and chased after her with it.
This time when Travis reached for her, she didn’t jerk away. Smoothing his thumb over the back of her hand, he said, “There’s a lot of good history between us, and we were friends for a lot longer than we were lovers. Can you try to remember that and just come to lunch with me? I’m trying to make amends here, but it won’t work if you won’t meet me halfway.”
When she kept her hand in his, he squeezed it, and then started walking again, coming around the corner to see a bright green sign that read LA FIESTA.
They reached the little cantina, and a woman in a bright dress greeted them with a friendly smile.
“Table for two?” she asked.
“Actually, we’re in the VIP room. Reservation is for Bowers,” he said, smiling as her eyes widened.
“Of course, Mr. Bowers. Please follow me.” The hostess turned, swishing her ample hips in a sexy sway, but Travis ignored it.
They went through a pair of wooden double doors, and Gemma dropped his hand as they reached a large booth behind a heavy curtain. Sitting down, they took their menus from the hostess, and when Travis dismissed her with a smile, she left pouting.
“I think you hurt her feelings,” Gemma said dryly, but her expression was less than amused and Travis almost grinned.
She wouldn’t be irritated or jealous if there was nothing left between them, right?
“She’ll get over it.”
Gemma tucked her hair back and asked, “So, besides making nine awesome records, one chick flick, and dating a host of hot, famous women, what have you been up to?”
“Forget me; you can read about my life in the grocery store magazine aisle. I want to know about you. What do you do in Rock Canyon?”
Gemma hesitated before answering. “Miss Addie left me her used bookstore. I renamed it Chloe’s Book Nook,” she said.
Travis felt like she was holding something back but didn’t press her. Instead, he gave a little laugh. “Chloe? As in that ornery calico cat you had to have put down?”
“Hey, I loved that cat. She was only cranky because she was old and in pain.”
“Okay, okay. How come Miss Addie left it to you?” he asked.
“I got a job working there after you left,” Gemma said softly. “We were close.”
After you left. Had her tone been accusatory, or was he imagining things? “Well, that’s great. Are you seeing someone?” He asked.
Smooth, Bowers, very smooth.
Her expression was a little guarded, and disappointment pooled in the pit of his stomach. It had been ten years, and she was gorgeous. Of course she was with someone.