Page 22 of Burning Skies
McAllisters are supposed to go to Darling Divas, but last year they double-booked me, and I decided to toss caution to the wind and check out Baylee’s salon. I’ve been secretly coming here ever since.
I glance up and down the street to make sure I’m not being trailed by anyone.
God, that sounds paranoid.
I rub my temple. Screw it. Screw my father’s trust and all of his demands.
Thinking about it has been making me sick to my stomach. But since I pay for my own stuff now, I’m going to get some highlights. Apparently, frivolous girls like me need them.
Feeling cautious, like I’m going to run into one of my father’s spies, I open the door and peek in. Baylee waves me in. “Honey! Just in time. My mom brought us some homemadesopapillas. You have to try one.”
It’s late. I’m probably her last client for the day, so there aren’t a lot of people. Just one other client who’s getting a trim from Vera, the other stylist. And there’s Baylee’s mom Sylvia, and Paige, Baylee’s best friend, who’s also married to a Walker.
“Hi, Mrs. Reyes. These smell amazing,” I say as I hug Baylee and Paige, whose red hair looks adorable in a messy bun.
“Please, dear, call me Sylvia. ‘Mrs. Reyes’ makes me feel old.” She motions to the mountain of food. “Help yourselves.Sopapillasare fried dough with cinnamon and powdered sugar. You should enjoy them with a little honey. It’s in the dish there.”
My mouth waters as I stare at the food. “Thank you. They look delicious.” I take one, drizzle honey on it, and take a tiny bite. Flavor instantly bursts on my tongue, and I moan. “Oh my God. Wow, this is good.”
A male voice clears his throat, and I jump, nearly dropping my snack. Beau’s standing behind me with Baylee’s son Leo in his arms. Leo is maybe ten months old and blond like his father, Baylee’s ex, but he looks right at home with Beau. His co-worker walks in behind him. I think her name is Melissa.
Beau tickles Leo. “We played with the kittens, and I showed him the fire truck.” Does he have to look so damn sexy holding a kid?
“Fruck,” Leo says, lifting his arms into the air.
We all chuckle.
Moving closer, Melissa brushes Leo’s hair out of his face. “This kid is so cute, isn’t he, Beau?”
Are they dating?
They’re picture-perfect—Beau, Melissa, and the baby. Watching them together makes it hard to breathe for some reason.
Beau tosses Leo into the air, making him squeal with laughter, before he hands the baby to Baylee and shoves his hands in his pockets. “I heard there weresopapillas.”
Sylvia rushes over with another platter. “Here. Share these with the fire station. Don’t forget to drizzle everything with honey. Tastes better that way.”
His green eyes meet mine, and for a brief second, I forget that he’s a Walker. That he’s the enemy. That my brothers would kill him if they ever found out we almost hooked up.
I’ve been thinking about what Beau said, that he didn’t jump my brothers. And his eye is still purple. Does he really think I instigated that fight?
Sylvia hums and then reaches up to touch his face. “That eye is looking better.” I stare at the floor, but for a second, I can feel everyone’s attention. I brace myself to get kicked out, but Sylvia asks Beau if he’s been using the salve she made him.
“He has.” Mel grabs his arm. Based on the way she stares up at him, all doe-eyed and needy, I can do the math. They’ve slept together.
Beau clears his throat again. “Yes, ma’am. Thank you for the salve and the food.” He leans down and kisses Sylvia on the cheek before he and Melissa leave. I get a whiff of his sexy cologne, and it takes me back to that night seven years ago. For a quick moment, I think about how he held me. How he touched me. How he kissed me.
How the scruff on his rugged jaw felt against my neck.
And then I remind myself that it never would’ve happened had he known it was me.
Not to mention how pissed he was when he found out, dumped my ass on the couch, and stormed off.
As I watch them walk by the big plate-glass window, Melissa looks over at me and smirks.
I know that look. It’s the expression of victory a woman gets in her eyes when she’s slept with a man and considers him hers.
Like a smoldering coal, jealousy gnaws at me.
