Dara tugged her suitcase and her laptop bag swung at her side. “Although we almost missed our connecting flight in LAX because our first flight was so late getting into Sky Harbor.”
Charlee smiled and shifted her hold on her designer luggage carry-on. “Now we know we can run pretty fast if needed.”
Bailey couldn’t help but grin at her friends. “But here you are.”
A beautiful Hawaiian woman in a lovely flowered dress came up to them and smiled. “Aloha.”
Bailey and her friends responded in kind.
The woman placed a lei around their necks before giving a graceful bow of her head and moving to the next group.
“Mmmm.” Charlee audibly inhaled. “The plumeria blooms smell wonderful.”
“I like this pink color.” Dara touched the soft bloom. “What’s next, Bailey?”
“We’re off to the ‘Aina Kapu Resort.” Bailey nodded her head in the direction of the street. “Our Uber will be here soon.”
Charlee’s blonde-streaked hair shone beneath the Hawaiian sun as she shook her head. “Never thought of Uber being on a small island in Hawaii.”
“Another company taking over the world,” Dara added with a grin.
Bailey nodded. “One island at a time.”
The trio laughed and chatted while they waited, and Bailey learned about her friends’ adventures to date.
When the driver arrived, they slid into the back of the SUV and didn’t miss a beat.
The girls filled Bailey in on things happening at home, and what she was missing.
“Pretty much nothing,” Dara said.
“But then it’s only been a few days since you left,” Charlee said.
The car pulled up to the ‘Aina Kapu. The girls unloaded and hauled their luggage and bags to the front desk, where they checked in. The front desk clerk was able to get rooms not too far from each other, in the Honu wing.
* * *
After everyone was settled in their rooms, Bailey, Charlee, and Dara headed to Kahiko Lounge, the resort’s bar.
The hostess seated them at a hightop on the outside patio.
“It’s amazing here.” Dara closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath. “I’m picturing a sexy cabana boy in my near future.” She opened her eyes and looked at Bailey. “So. Where is he?”
The wind stirred Charlee’s streaky blonde hair around her shoulders. “Point us in the right direction.”
Bailey laughed. “Those cabana boys will show up later. Not sure when, but no doubt they’ll be around eventually.”
“Enough about us.” Charlee used both hands to push her hair out of her face. “What about that cowboy from Montana?”
“First,” Bailey said. “What do you two want to drink, and do you want an appetizer?”
They each studied the lounge’s menu.
Charlee pointed to a drink on the menu. “I want a genuine Hawaiian mai tai.”
“That sounds good.” Dara scanned the menu a second time. “I’ll have one as well.”
“A mai tai does look good,” Bailey said. “We’ll make it three.”
Dara looked over the list of appetizers. “What about an appetizer?”
“I liked the sound of the island ahi tartare stack,” Charlee said.
Dara set her menu down. “Yes, and the panko-crusted calamari steak strips.”
“That should hold us over till dinner.” Bailey placed her menu on top of Dara’s, who took Charlee’s as well.
The server stopped by, introduced herself as Ilima, and asked for their order. Bailey gave it to the young, gracious woman.
Once Ilima retreated, both Charlee and Dara pinned their stares on Bailey.
“Get it out,” Dara said.
Bailey felt like giving a schoolgirl sigh when she had a crush on the quarterback. “Remember when we were in Mrs. Hayden’s dance classes?” she started.
“Before we were kicked out,” Dara said.
“That was where we met and bonded.” Charlee nodded. “We were considered least likely to succeed in the class.”
“Yeah,” Bailey said. “The dance studio was next door to the gym, where Bobby Alvarez used to work out.”
“Joe Dunlap and Rick Grimes.” Charlee sighed as if she was still that teenager. “Oh, yes. I remember.”
“How could we forget?” Dara laughed. “We had the world’s biggest crushes on those guys.”
“They were the cutest seniors in high school.”
“And we were still in junior high.”
“Exactly,” Bailey said. “Well, Seth is like those guys all rolled into one package. Only even hotter and sexier.”
“Whoa.” Charlee raised her brows. “Apparently someone here scored big.”
Bailey found herself not wanting to talk about Seth after all. She wasn’t sure why…maybe it was because of the way he wanted their relationship to continue once they were off the island, and her resistance to it.
“Tell us more,” Charlee said with enthusiasm in her voice.
Bailey shrugged. “One of those summertime romances that end once you step off the island.”
Dara looked skeptical while Charlee appeared disappointed. “Those are the vibes you get from him?”
Bailey lifted her shoulders. “No. It’s the fact that I have too much to live for and do in my life. I can’t be weighed down by a relationship that might hold me back.”
Both of her friends stared at her.
“Really?” Charlee said.
“You can’t come up with something better than that?” Dara added.
Bailey blinked. “What? It’s the truth.”
Charlee shook her head. “Admit it. You’re scared.”
“Yep.” Dara’s amber eyes were intense, and the freckles over her nose seemed more pronounced. “You’re going to run away, just like you do with every relationship you’ve ever had.”
“First one boyfriend out the window, then down the road another and another.” Charlee leaned forward in her chair. “You’ve been running scared.”
Heat rushed to Bailey’s face. “I do not run.”
Charlee and Dara looked at each other then back to Bailey.
“Yes,” Dara said.
“You do,” Charlee finished.
Bailey frowned and rubbed her temples as she thought about the relationships she’d had over the past several years.
“No.” She shook her head. “None of them were long-term relationship material.”
“Dwayne?” Charlee said. “Successful, sweet guy who would have done anything for you. Volunteers for charities and runs marathons.”
“Keith.” Dara leaned back in her chair and folded her arms. “Intelligent, focused, kind. Incredibly bright future. And funny as hell.”
“Then there’s Vin.” Charlee cocked her head to the side. “Great looking, ambitious—but in a good way. Fair, caring.”
“All three of those guys would have jumped over the moon for you, and would probably have gone to Europe with you,” Dara said. “But in all three cases, you ran.”
Bailey’s throat threatened to close off. Was that it? Did she just drop things when they got serious with anyone and then take off?
Maybe.
Probably.
Yes.
She’d never given anyone the chance to share in her future.
Bailey looked down at the bar menu before raising her head and looking from one friend to the other. “I never looked at it that way.”
“Well, you need to start,” Charlee said gently. “If this guy has it all, and cares about you, then you owe it to yourself to give him and the relationship a chance.”
Dara’s intense gaze laser-focused on Bailey. “Charlee’s right.”
“I’ll think about what you girls have said.” Bailey let her breath out in a slow exhale. “In the meantime, we have to find you two a couple of cabana boys.”
“Each,” Dara said.
Charlee laughed. “Right on.”
Ilima returned with the
ir drinks, and not too long after, she served their appetizers.
As they sipped their mai tais and ate the appetizers, Bailey and her friends chatted about the island. They quizzed Bailey on what she had seen and done so far.
“You did leave something for us to do, too?” Charlee teased.
“Plenty,” Bailey replied with a smile.
Ilima returned with a second round of mai tais and took the empties.
Fire started to burn in Bailey’s belly the moment Seth walked into the lounge. “Looks like you’re going to meet that Montana cowboy.” Memories of last night flooded her when his gaze met hers.
Charlee said, “If the cowboy walking in this direction is the one you met... Oh. My. God.”
Dara sounded breathy as she added, “Where in the hell did you find him?”
Bailey didn’t respond to either friend, she was so caught up in Seth. All that power yet tenderness in one incredibly sexy, mouthwatering package.
“Look at her face,” Charlee said low, so that the approaching Seth wouldn’t hear.
“I see it,” Dara responded. “Bailey and Seth have had sex.”
“That explains a lot,” Charlee replied.
“Shut up,” Bailey hissed, her face on fire.
Dara and Charlee grinned at each other like they’d just struck gold.
Seth reached their table, stood next to Bailey, and rested one hand on the back of the empty chair at the high top.
Bailey was terrified he’d kiss her in front of her friends. She wasn’t ready for that. But he didn’t—apparently respectful of how she might feel about it.
“I’m Seth Greer,” he held out his hand to Dara and she took it. “You must be Dara.”
She nodded then released Seth’s hand. “That’s me.”
Seth gripped Charlee’s. “And you’re Charlee.”
Charlee smiled. “And you’re that sexy cowboy Bailey’s been telling us about.”
Bailey groaned to herself. Shut up, Charlee, she wished she could say out loud.
Seth looked down at Bailey, his smile sensual and gentle. “I thought you three were going to Keoki’s for malasadas after you picked up your friends from the pier.”
“We wanted to stay here for this afternoon, and maybe go out later,” Dara said.
“It’s been a crazy journey,” Charlee added.
Seth held Bailey’s gaze for a moment too long, but she couldn’t look away.
“Join us.” Charlee pointed to the empty seat.
Dara smiled. “We’d love to get to know you.”
“We take our best friend positions seriously.” Charlee gave Seth what was supposed to be an attempt at a hard look, no doubt. “We vet anyone Bailey has a romantic interest in.”
Now Bailey wanted to slide under the table. Please, God, stop.
Seth grinned, and she noticed her friends’ immediate reactions. Bailey couldn’t imagine how any woman could help but sigh and think, What a man.
“Just a few moments.” He slid onto the tall chair as if it was a normal sized one. “I know this trip is for the three of you and I don’t want to get in the way of your girl time.”
“You’re not getting in the way at all.” Charlee gestured to the appetizer plates. “Have some. It’s good stuff.”
“Thank you, but I just ate at Pono Ranch,” Seth said.
Dara leaned back in her chair. “Speaking of ranches, you have one in Montana?”
This time Bailey came real close to groaning out loud. They’re going to let it all out and he’ll know I’ve been telling them almost everything.
“I do,” Seth said. “I run cattle on a good-sized section of the ranch, and on a few acres I have a special needs ranch. My mom and sisters handle it for me.”
Dara stopped lifting her mai tai glass in mid-air. “I manage a special needs ranch in Arizona.”
For some reason that connection had never occurred to Bailey. She’d been so into Seth, she hadn’t been thinking clearly.
Seth leaned forward, his forearms on the table. “I’d love to hear more about it.”
Dara and Seth talked a little about the ranches. Bailey found herself fascinated as he discussed things about the work he did. Like he’d told Bailey, he started the ranch to rehabilitate rodeo cowboys.
He went on to explain how the ranch now included all country folk who experienced severe injuries or other physical trauma.
“We mostly deal with people who can’t afford to go to the cities to see doctors there, or don’t have money for insurance,” he said.
“You have investors?” Dara asked.
“More like silent partners and donors,” Seth said. “It’s a non-profit ranch, and we have good, caring people who give generously to our cause.”
“That’s amazing.” Charlee smiled at Seth. “You’re also a doctor of physical therapy?”
Bailey wanted to fall through the floor.
The corner of Seth’s mouth curved slightly. “I am.”
Charlee tilted her head to the side. “But you rodeo now.”
“Yep.” He flashed a quick grin. “I have to know how to rehabilitate myself if anything happens.”
“Don’t say that,” Bailey shot out before she could stop herself.
Seth raised an eyebrow and she saw a full-blown smile about to take over. “Worried about me?”
Bailey bit the inside of her lip and didn’t respond.
Charlee fiddled with her second mai tai glass. “Do you know Creed McBride, Bailey’s cousin?”
“I’ve never met him, but anyone in rodeo has heard of him,” Seth said. “He’s a legend in the sport of bull riding.”
“Creed is a real good guy.” Bailey pushed her now empty glass away. She might as well join the conversation. “Down to earth, good family man. You would never know how big he was in the sport unless someone told you.”
Like Seth, Bailey thought. She still might not know if Kade Fields hadn’t recognized him.
“What all do you do in rodeo?” Dara asked.
Dara and Charlee hadn’t been raised in Bailey’s and Seth’s world. Both girls had grown up in town and knew little about rodeos or ranching.
But they did appreciate a man in a Stetson and a cowboy’s ass in Wranglers.
Seth turned to Charlee. “What do you do to keep yourself busy?”
Charlee finished swallowing a piece of calamari. “I own a couple of hair and nail salons.”
Charlee had come into a large inheritance when she turned twenty-five, three years ago. She’d taken part of it to buy the salon she’d worked at, and she bought a second a year later.
She had gone from a shy, insecure young woman to a respected business owner with the skill to run two businesses.
Seth looked impressed. “You must keep real busy.”
Charlee wiped her fingers on a napkin. “Yeah, you could say that.”
Seth asked Charlee questions about her business, clearly interested in what she had to say. In the past, Charlee had some difficult—and in one case deadly—relationships. It had taken a long time for her to come around to talking with any man.
They all chatted, Bailey’s friends obviously charmed by the man who had more than charmed Bailey. After he’d been there for less than an hour, Seth eased off his chair.
“It’s been great meeting you ladies. I don’t want to get in the way of your girl time.” He flashed a smile. “I have four younger sisters, so I get it.”
“Don’t feel like you have to go,” Charlee said.
“It’s been great meeting you,” Dara added.
“I’ve enjoyed your company.” Seth smiled. “Friday is the start of the charity rodeo at Pono Ranch.” He rested his hands on the back of the chair he’d been sitting in. “I would love to see you there.”
“That sounds fantastic.” Dara’s excitement clearly picked up. “I’m in.”
Charlee leaned forward with her forearms on the table. “So am I.”
Everyone looked at Bailey. She cleared her t
hroat. “We’ll be there.”
Seth smiled and gave a nod. “Have a good afternoon, ladies.”
Charlee and Dara responded in kind. Bailey watched and managed to not throw Seth a kiss, despite the crazy idea to do just that.
After Seth was gone, Dara and Charlee started talking at the same time.
Charlee leaned forward even more. “How could you possibly run away from him?”
Dara put her hands on her hips. “Second thoughts about Seth? You’ve done lost your mind.”
Bailey held up her hands. “Stop.”
Charlee and Dara paused long enough to listen to Bailey.
“I haven’t made any decision.” Bailey sighed. “Think about it. I’ve known him for what, five days now? It’s too soon to start planning my future with Seth included in it.”
Dara cocked her head. “Four days was apparently long enough for you to decide to have sex with him.”
Bailey’s face burned. “That’s different.”
“Is it?” Charlee studied Bailey. “Unless you’ve been holding out on us, you’ve never had sex with a man you hadn’t been seeing for at least a month or longer.”
“You’re right about that.” Bailey held her glass with both hands on the table. “But…” She sighed. “I don’t have any answers. Just give me some time, okay?”
Dara put her hand on Bailey’s. “Love you.”
“Love you,” Charlee echoed as she put her hand on top of theirs.
Bailey smiled. “You two are the best.”
Charlee straightened in her seat. “What are we doing next?”
Dara set her glass down. “I’m ready for anything.”
“Shopping?” Bailey knew that wouldn’t be a hard sell with her friends.
Charlee laughed. “Best idea ever.”
Dara grabbed the strap of her hobo bag off the back of her chair. “MasterCard ready.”
13
Bailey dropped her purse on the nightstand and plopped on the bed in her suite. She stared at the ceiling.
They’d just returned from their night out. Dara and Charlee had gone to their rooms and Bailey headed to hers.
And here she was, staring at her ceiling.
Wishing Seth was there.
Midnight with You Page 13
