Only if you fantasize about wrapping your camp counselor’s hair around your hand.
“There’s still time,” I say lightly. “But no, it’s more Venus rising from the sea. If she shopped for luxury athleisure before she climbed into the clamshell.”
Katie tries to scowl, but I see her fighting a smile and failing.
“What made you change it?” I slide her a look, feeling like I’ve been knifed in the chest when I catch another glimpse of The Hair. It makes her skin glow.
“I wanted to feel good for my date.”There’s a world of meaning behind those words, more of the nerves that were on display on our practice date last Friday.
“He’ll like it.”
“You think?” She brightens, and I want to punch something.
“He’d be a fool not to.” Her brows tug down, and I quickly add, “Red’s incredibly rare. You know hair color is way morecomplicated than people realize? It’s not as simple as Mom’s hair color plus Dad’s hair color. You shouldn’t have dyed it. Only two to five people have it out of every hundred. Big mistake.”
I clamp my lips shut at the way she’s smiling at me, bemused and warm. “What?”
“I like your facts.” Her smile grows. “You’re making me feel less nervous.”
“Don’t be nervous. Ryan doesn’t matter.” I lean against the truck bed, and she hops up next to me.
“We’re doing an obstacle course today.”
“You are?” I can’t help my surprise. “That doesn’t seem like Ryan’s thing. Isn’t he an actor?”
“I know.” She laughs. “But he asked me what I wanted to do and I kept thinking about how you said the first step was confidence. I told him physical activity and competition were where I felt most confident.”
“Good for you.”
“This might be a mistake,” she says ruefully. “I’ll probably get too competitive.”
“Confidence is hot,” I remind her.
She scrunches her nose. “I’m going to hear your voice in my head while I’m on this date.Confidence is hot, Bailey. The first step to good sex is feeling sexy.” She does a horrible imitation of my voice, and I chuckle.
“That’s so not what I sound like.” I bump her with my shoulder, but I’m smiling at the thought of Katie on her date, talking herself up, forcing herself to enjoy her time with Ryan.
“What are you doing today?” she asks.
I stiffen. “We have a meeting with the heads of the distilleries.” I meet her questioning glance. “Aiden wants to announce my new role.”
“Ah.” Her gaze roams over my face. “And you…don’t want to? Why not?”
I look away, over the driveway, to where the grass on the other side of the main house slopes gently to the cliffs. “I’m the spare,” I say, surprising even myself. I don’t talk about this. “I’m the benchwarmer. What if Aiden comes back from his trip and wants the job back? It’s his, not mine. I’m just a temporary replacement.”I have always been a temporary replacement.I swallow down the words.
Katie is silent for two long heartbeats.
“Benchwarmers still win championships,” she says softly.
My gaze slices to hers. I expect pity or judgment, one of those uncomfortable emotions people heap on you when you start cutting yourself open and letting them see the soft parts. Instead, she just looks thoughtful.
“I guess that’s right.”
“Plus, Aiden needs you.”
“He does?”
She gives me a rueful smile. “Of course he does. He’s the face of the company, but you’re the heart.”
