“And each other.” Amusement lit her friend’s gaze. “Don’t bother to deny it. I ran into Leo at the gas station earlier, and he was wearing an identical ‘just-got-lucky’ grin.”
“He was?” Warmth spread through Kaydee, and she felt her whole body soften.
“It’s about time you two stepped off the friend bus and acted on your attraction.” Fi touched her arm. “I’m happy for you.”
Since she was obviously busted, Kaydee didn’t deny it. “Thanks. I am happy. Happier than I can honestly say I’ve ever been.” She inhaled and decided to be completely truthful. “And that scares me to death.”
“Why?” Her friend frowned. “It’s a good thing.”
“Not if it suddenly goes away.” She’d been through that so many times growing up. Too many. She was the queen of investing in relationships, then moving. Starting all over. Then moving again. After the fourth time, she simply stopped investing. But she hadn’t stopped moving around, even after striking out on her own. Settling in one place wasunsettling. It made her feel claustrophobic. The need for constant change was an itch she wasn’t sure she’d ever shake.
Fi lifted a shoulder. “That’s why it’s called taking a chance. Sometimes it doesn’t work out, but sometimes it does and it’s totally worth it.”
Kaydee knew that, too. At least, with her friend. They met at the technical college in the beauty education track. That first day, she’d expected to form another fleeting friendship, but Fiona was different. They clicked, and Kaydee realized she didn’t want it to end. So by the time graduation came around, she had plans with Fi to get a job in the same salon.
“I really hope you won’t run from your feelings,” Fiona was saying. “You’ve done it your whole life. Let go of that tight control of yours and just enjoy yourself for a change.”
Exactly what she had in mind.
The smiling woman dipped her head to catch Kaydee’s attention. “If Leo can put that dreamy look in your eyes, then, hun, I think he’s worth taking a chance. Enjoy it.”
She returned the smile. “Oh, trust me. I have every intention of enjoying Leo.”
Many times.
…
At the end of the week, Leo and Stone, Brick, Vince, and Cord found themselves in one of those rare instances where they all finished early on a Friday. Taking advantage of the unexpected situation, they decided to kick back in the ranch rec room, crack open a beer, and shoot some pool.
“To Leo,” Stone said, holding up his bottle, and everyone followed suit. “Congratulations on completing your toughest job. Supervisingyourfirst crew…solo.”
The end of the workweek also brought with it the end of Leo’s first supervising job. Ultimately, he was pleased with the outcome, and—more importantly—so were the clients. The Burmans had signed off an hour ago, and Leo had sent his crew home.
“It didn’t go without a hitch,” he felt compelled to point out, before taking a swig.
Vince snorted. “What job does?”
Brick nodded and tipped back his beer.
Cord chalked his cue. “Were the clients pleased?”
“Yeah,” he said. Mrs. Burman hadn’t stopped smiling or gushing about the extra openness of her kitchen thanks to their altered plan. “They already left a review online.” A positive one. He checked.
He took a deep breath, his lungs expanding to their fullest, and he stood straighter. All and all, good feelings abounded. Same could be said for things with Kaydee. A smile tugged his lips. He felt right when he was inside her.
“So, Leo.” Vince leaned on his stick while Stone started the game.
The crack of pool balls echoed through the room. It was the Mitchum brothers versus Vince and Cord. Leo was sitting this game out.
He raised a brow. “What?”
“You’ve been walking around with that smile on your face all week. When are you going to tell us her name?”
Shit.
Stone shot Vince a glare. “Don’t mind him. It’s just great to see you smile.”
Cord locked his superpower Warlock stare on him for a beat, then dipped his head once. “Definitely a girl.”
