Susan Mallery - Before We Kiss

Something Dellina could understand. No one wanted to go to an interview wearing a stain. As she waited for her latte, she studied Bailey’s subtle makeup and the frown between her eyebrows. Being a single parent wasn’t easy. Dellina had lost her folks and become responsible for her sisters at an early age. While that had been devastating, she’d been able to return to Fool’s Gold where she knew everyone and there were plenty of people to look out for them.

Bailey and her husband had moved to town a couple of years ago. Neither of them had any family to speak of. There’d been an uncle or great-uncle around but he’d passed only a few months after their arrival. Then Bailey’s husband, a soldier, had been killed in Afghanistan. Dellina hoped Bailey got the job with Mayor Marsha so that she could feel financially secure. That would go a long way to healing a broken heart.

She returned to the table with her drink. Bailey turned to her. “You grew up here. Any Mayor Marsha advice?”

“Be yourself,” Dellina told her. “If Mayor Marsha didn’t already like you, you wouldn’t have the interview.”

“I hope my skills are good enough,” Bailey said. “I took that refresher course at the community college, but I haven’t been in the job market for a while.”

Taryn smiled at her. “Relax. As much as it pains me to admit it, the wily old woman knows what she’s doing.”

“You’ll do fine,” Larissa told her. “And when you get the job, you’ll have the inside scoop on the town gossip.” She leaned forward and grinned. “I remember when I interviewed for my job at Score. Wow, was I nervous.”

Bailey glanced at Taryn. “Yes, I can see why.”

Taryn’s eyes widened. “Hey, if that was about me, I’m a very gentle interviewer.”

Larissa grinned. “She wasn’t the problem. I had to talk to Jack. I was so scared because he was this famous, hunky guy. At least you won’t have to worry about being tongue-tied because Mayor Marsha is good-looking.”

They all laughed.

Dellina smiled at Bailey. “Larissa’s right. Once you get the job, you will have the inside track on all the town gossip.”

“Delicious,” Larissa said.

Taryn looked at her friend. “You don’t have time for gossip. You’re too busy trying to kill people with poisonous snakes.”

Larissa hung her head. “I’ve apologized about a thousand times for that.”

“Give me a thousand more, I’ll consider dropping it,” Taryn teased.

Dellina didn’t know much about Larissa beyond the fact that she had a soft heart and liked to rescue critters of all kinds. Unfortunately it seemed she didn’t always think through her plans. A couple of months ago she’d been transporting snakes for a local wildlife organization. The snakes were going to a sanctuary somewhere in the southern part of the state. When the top of the container had come loose, one of the snakes had gotten out and Larissa had immediately stopped the car and jumped out.

Angel, Taryn’s now-fiancé, had offered to help. He’d found out a bite too late that the snakes were poisonous and had spent the night in the hospital. Angel was fine and the snakes had made it to their new home, but Taryn was still torturing Larissa about the incident. In this case, Dellina found herself on Taryn’s side. Helping animals in need was one thing, but dealing with poisonous creatures should be left to the professionals.

Bailey stood. “I need to go. I want to walk slowly to city hall so I’m not sweaty when I arrive.” She pressed her hand to her stomach again. “I hope I can do this.”

Taryn rose and hugged her. “You can. You’ll be great. Tell me everything that happens.”

“I will,” Bailey promised, and left.

Taryn watched her go. Pride filled her eyes. For some reason the other woman had taken an interest in Bailey to the point of arranging a clothing exchange with the sole and secret purpose of getting Bailey a new interview dress. Taryn had figured Bailey wouldn’t simply accept it as a gift and she sure couldn’t afford it herself. So there had been a ladies-only clothing exchange.

Taryn sat down and picked up her latte. Her engagement ring sparkled in the afternoon light. “So,” she said slowly. “Start talking.”

Larissa grinned. “She’s right. We want details. You said hi and he said hi and then?”

Dellina did her best to keep from smiling. “Are you talking about my meeting with Sam? It really wasn’t that interesting.”

Taryn’s gaze narrowed. “If I had something to throw at you, I would do it in a heartbeat.”

Dellina laughed. “No throwing. Our meeting was fine. Very professional.”

“No sex on the kitchen counter?” Larissa asked.

Dellina shook her head. “No. Sam wouldn’t do that.”

“But you would?” Taryn asked. “Interesting.”

“That’s not what I meant and you know it. Sam was pleasant, we cleared up any lingering confusion about our past and talked about the party.”

Both women stared at her, as if wanting more. No way she was going to mention the tingles. They were private. And probably foolish. She’d had a night with Sam and it had been great. But they’d both moved on and now they were working together. End of story.

“I was hoping for more,” Larissa admitted.

“I think he’s good-looking,” Dellina told her. “Does that help?”

“Not really. I’ve never slept with Sam. Was he good?”

Taryn laughed. “Larissa, my sweet, that makes it sound like you’ve slept with Jack and Kenny.”

Larissa’s blue eyes widened. “What? No. Of course not. I work with them.” She flushed. “Especially Jack. We’re friends. Nothing more. Just, you know, good friends.” She pressed her lips together as if trying to prevent herself from babbling. “For the record, I have not slept with anyone at Score. I was just wondering about Sam.”

Dellina felt a little of Bailey’s tummy unease but it had nothing to do with being nervous. For a second she couldn’t place the cause.

“Because you’re interested in Sam?” Taryn asked, her eyebrows raised.

The second Taryn asked the question out loud, Dellina realized the cause of her anxiety and it didn’t make her happy. Why did she care if Larissa had a thing for Sam? She’d spent one evening with him and had a single conversation since. What did she care if he slept with the entire state of California?

“I’m not interested in Sam,” Larissa said with a sigh. “I meant I work with them, they’re sexy, handsome men. All of them. Equally. I’ve heard things in the media and from various women and I wondered if any of it was true.” She looked at Taryn. “You slept with Jack and you won’t give me any details. Maybe Dellina will be more forthcoming.”

“I was married to Jack,” Taryn said. “And no, I’m not talking about that part of our relationship.”

They both looked at Dellina expectantly.

She held up her hands. “Um, no. I’m not comfortable getting into specifics.”

“How about a gross generality?” Larissa offered. “Was he good?”

Dellina felt herself start to smile. “Yeah, he was good.”

Larissa squeezed Taryn’s hand. “Our little boy is all grown up.”

“You’re a freak,” Taryn told her. “You know that, right?” She turned to Dellina. “As Sam’s business partner, I would encourage you to have sex with Sam. I’m guessing it would improve his mood and I’m for that. As your friend, you probably want to think more than once about getting involved with a man who has that much bad luck with women.”

“Arguing each side equally,” Dellina murmured. “Impressive.”

“Isn’t she?” Larissa sat back in her chair. “What is it about sports guys that make them so appealing?”