Chuckling, he replies, “No.”
“Disappointing.” I smirk. We come around the corner from the last large tent and start toward the games section. “Try me anyway. What is it?”
He stops in front of the ring toss, and says, “The company I work for is hosting their annual summer event over the Fourth of July weekend. In the Hamptons.”
“Say less. The Hamptons? I’m there.” I start laughing because I crack myself up sometimes. “Just kidding. I’m not inviting myself to your event.” A kid screaming over a dropped ice cream behind him briefly steals my attention.
When I look back at him, he says, “I am.”
“You are what?”
“I’m inviting you to the Hamptons. If you have any interest in going as my date.”
I rest my hand on his chest. “I was just giving you a hard time. I didn’t mean to make you feel guilty.”
Covering my hand, he grins. “No guilt. I was going to ask you if that weekend would work for you to visit, and if so, if you wouldn’t mind a night suffering through a work event in the Hamptons.”
“Sounds like torture?—”
“The property is huge, and it’s on the water,” he’s quick to add as if he didn’t pick up on my sarcasm. “I think you’ll love it.”
I lower my hand despite my desire to keep it right over his beating heart. I love that it’s beating harder as if his nerves have kicked in. I didn’t even know this man got nervous until now. Why is he? “I was just teasing, Baylor. It sounds like a dream. Truly. But on the surface. What are you not telling me? Is there a catch?”
“There is.” He reaches for my hand, but then realization dawns in his eyes, and he shoves them in his pockets. “I’ve been working for a promotion.”
“Okay.”
“Well, they feel they want their executives to be more established.”
We start to stroll again, maneuvering away from the crowds forming at the games, but I glance up at him. “You’ve done very well, so I can’t imagine you haven’t already proven yourself.” The cowboy hat shades his face, but those blue eyes are still so captivating. All he has to do is look at me, and I’m willing to say yes to anything. Good thing he doesn’t know that.Yet . . .I’m not exactly a closed book.
“They value family.” I see him shake his head, but I'm not sure I was supposed to notice. With his hand over his heart, he’s quick to clarify, “I value family. They only value the image of family since it’s no secret in the city that the partners have wandering eyes away from their wives.” He laughs, but the humor isn’t heard. “Ironic since they’re worried that my . . . let’s call it bachelorhood. My being single is an impediment to my promotion in the company.”
I'm not sure if I should laugh or be mortified. “Your dating life is being used against you?”
“To put it bluntly.”
This doesn’t help quell my earlier concerns about relationships. I’ve not been in many even though I can justify it because of lack of options in the country, not finding the right guy, or protecting myself. But deep down, I still wonder if my dad leaving us high and dry plays a part.
Why can’t I just enjoy myself for once? Not everything has to be analyzed or overthought to the point of exhaustion. I take a breath. Just enjoy your time with him, Lauralee.
Redirecting my energies back to him, I bump into him. “You’re a hot bachelor.”
“Hot, you say?”
Pointing at him, I narrow my eyes playfully. “Zip it, Greene. As I was saying, you have . . .” I correct myself since I’m not sure where we stand, but him telling me he’s falling for me feels like a line in the sand for us. Our relationship changed right then. To what, I’m not entirely sure, but I’m willing to find out. “Youhadevery right to date who you like. It’s your personal life, and it shouldn’t matter if it’s not affecting your job. You also said you needed my help.” Totally forming my own conclusions, I ask, “Do we get to play ‘couple’ in the Hamptons?”
“I was hoping you’d agree to be my girlfriend for the weekend.”
That sounded a lot like he wanted to ask me for more. And I’d be lying if I didn’t acknowledge that I’m over-the-moon flattered by his proposition. “I’ll be your girlfriend for the weekend.” He thought of me to help him out of this predicament when he has every right to ask someone else. Confessing he’s falling for me doesn’t mean he’s shackled to me forever. Our relationship is finding a stride we’re both comfortable with. That’s a good thing that I appreciate.
A rogue smile crosses his expression before he rubs the edge of his jawline. “It’s a selfless sacrifice, Ms. Knot. I do appreciate it.” His kicking in a little country accent wins him some bonus points, even if it’s done in jest.
“I’m not totally selfless, Baylor. I get to spend time with you out of the spying eyes of Peachtree Pass.” When he looks at me, I waggle my eyebrows because he’s not the only one who can flirt.
He smacks my ass, then he raises his hand high in the air to wave. “Hello, Mrs. Marion.”
“Good to see ya, Baylor Greene,” she replies.
