“Bailey,” he said as he went to answer it.
He knew Ronnie would want to see her friend, and sure enough, when Bailey’s face filled the screen, both women were squealing and laughing as they celebrated the win.
But because she was at the inn and surrounded by Kings, the others all managed to squeeze in around her. Brandon and Giselle poked their heads into view to say congratulations, Giselle giddy with excitement.
“You were so amazing, Ronnie! That was such a clean run!”
“Thanks, Gee. I’m pretty stoked.”
“It’s so wild. You’re gonna win this event. I just know it!”
Willow’s face popped up at the side of the screen, and she gave Ronnie a thumbs-up. “Congratulations.” She smiled. But where was the light in her eyes?
Dallas flinched at the sight of her. The spark that was so vividly and uniquely Willow seemed to have gone out.
Hadhedone that?
Or had Eric?
He wished he knew what was going on so he could help, but his father assured him that even though the Spencers seemed to have an ace up their sleeves, they weren’t going down without a fight.
Right now it was a waiting game as the lawyers worked on finding any chink in the Spencers’ armor.
Dallas tried to push those thoughts aside when the call ended so he could put all his focus on Ronnie and her win. But she saw right through him.
She tilted her head to the side with a little frown. “You’re worried about Willow.”
He nodded. Why try to deny it? They might not have been together long, but his girlfriend already knew him better thananyone. “I am. But…” He forced a smile as he tugged her back into his arms. “I’ll see her again at Christmas, so I’ll try to get through to her then.”
Ronnie wrapped her arms around his neck, smiling. “Our first Christmas together. Kinda perfect that we’ll be able to get back to Paradise Springs.”
“It will be perfect.” He leaned down to taste her lips again. “Because I’ll be with you.”
“Aww.” Her tone turned teasing. “Who knew my boyfriend was such a teddy bear underneath all that snark and swagger?”
He leaned down with narrowed eyes. “Don’t tell a soul.”
Her eyes sparkled. “Or what?”
He surprised her by tossing her over his shoulder and lifting her off the ground. “Or I won’t give you the Christmas present I’ve been hiding in my luggage.”
Her laugh echoed off the locker room walls. “Where are you taking me?”
“To greet your rabid fans.” He headed for the exit. He’d set her down before they walked out. He had a feeling being carried caveman style wasn’t a good look for her public image. But for now, her laughter was all that mattered. “They’ll be waiting.”
“And what about you?”
He paused mid-stride. “I will always be waiting for you, my love. I thought you knew that by now. I’ll be there for you whenever you need me.”
“I meant, what about our celebration,” she said as he helped her to slide back down to the ground.
This put her in his arms, pressed against his chest.
“You and I can celebrate later,” he said.
From where they stood, they could already hear her eager fans, waiting for autographs.
“Because you and I…” He cupped her cheeks and kissed her long and slow before letting her go. “We have all the time in theworld.” He winked. “A lifetime, if I have anything to say about it.”
She pressed her cheek into his palm. “I’m holding you to that, Cowboy.”
