Page 28 of Taming I Do
I sat mesmerized, studying the contours of Delilah’s face... the way her cheeks flushed when she was happy, the spark that lit up her eyes at Lacey’s suggestion.
“Jasper?” Lacey toed me in the shin.
“Huh?” I swung my head to meet her gaze.
“I asked if you’d be willing to set something up? You can use the Phillips House as a meeting location. Maybe week after next? I’ve got that big wedding this weekend and another one the next, but we’ve got openings after that.”
“Sure.”
“Great, it’s settled then.” Lacey nodded.
“Wait, what am I setting up?”
“Pageant lessons for the local girls.”
I glanced back and forth from Delilah to Lacey to Delilah again. How did I miss that? I’d started off by saying I’d help Lacey with the contest and somehow found myself in charge. Now I’d agreed to coordinate pageant training? If my brothers found out, they’d definitely demand I hand over my man card.
But the look on Delilah’s face might make it worth the sacrifice. Her lips had split into the biggest smile I’d seen from her yet. One that showed off all her teeth. The kind of grin that would leave my cheeks aching. So, I did what any hot-bloodedman would do at the sight of something so lovely. I beamed back at her and swallowed my pride.
“Great. I’m looking forward to it.”
CHAPTER 8
DELILAH
I groanedand rubbed my hand over my belly. What I wouldn’t give for a sunken bathtub right now. I’d stuffed myself full of delicious food at the dinner at the Mexican restaurant in town and was paying the price. That’s what happened when I trained my stomach not to expect more than a few bites at a time and then blew it all by gorging on the buffet. But how could I resist? The veggie fajitas had been so tasty, the deep-fried ice cream, divine. If my mother could see me now...
As if Stella could sense my misbehavior, my phone pinged with an incoming text.
Stella: You still up?
Me:Of course.
My mother knew I never fell asleep before midnight, no matter how hard I tried. Within moments, the phone rang. I rolled over and answered.
“Hello?”
“I had a sense you’d still be awake. How’s Miss Lovin’ Texas doing?” Stella’s voice rang out, the cheerfulness making my stomach pangs worsen.
“I’m fine. What are you still doing awake?”
“I’m too excited to sleep. Monique and I met with the cosmetics rep this morning and they had some amazing new samples for us. I think you’re going to be pleased.” Nothing got Stella excited like the prospect of making money.
“I’m sure they’re great.”
“The publicity firm wants to do a photo shoot. I went ahead and scheduled it week after next in Ido.”
“Oh, I can’t do that.”
“Why not? They gave me some new samples. I’ll drive them down myself. Franco said he’d be willing to travel, just for you. We’ll be in and out in two days, three tops.”
“I don’t think that’s such a good idea.” The thought of having to squeeze into anything beyond a loose nightshirt made my stomach cramp.
Stella tsked. “Of course it’s a good idea. We’ve got no time to waste. If we want to soft launch before the holiday season, we’ve got to get the marketing materials done.”
She was right. “Fine. Just let me know when and where. I’ll be there.”
“That’s my girl.”
