“You seem to be in a better mood since I saw you last,” Cash said casually.
“Why wouldn’t I be in a good mood? It’s a gorgeous day.” Rachel sidestepped him, going to her car door and unlocking it.
Before she could open the door, Cash reached out and opened it for her. As he reached forward, his arm brushed against her breasts. She sucked in her breath sharply, bringing his eyes back to hers.
“Yes, it is. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow night, then.”
Rachel had lost her train of thought but quickly regained her equilibrium. “Bye.”
She got into her car, starting the motor. She then gave them a brief wave as she pulled out.
“Shit.”
She had never expected Cash to come to Mrs. Langley’s party, knowing her three brothers would be there. Surely the four of them could behave long enough for the celebration, though, right?#p#分页标题#e#
Butterflies swarmed her already-tense stomach at having them together. She would just have to make sure to keep her brothers under control and Cash separated from them. Her nerves settled down once she had a plan of action.
It would be fine. She had everything under control. She had just proven to Cash and herself she could put that night behind them. What could go wrong?
Chapter 8
“Want to grab us some lunch?” As Lily lay down the paperwork she was working on, Rachel bounced up from the stool.
“I thought you would never ask. I’m starving. What do you want me to bring you back?”
“A hamburger and fries.”
Rachel’s mouth dropped open. Health conscious since she had become pregnant, Lily was obviously needing a junk food fix.
“Sure thing.” Rachel grabbed her purse.
“Stay and have lunch at the diner. It’s slow now; take your time and enjoy.”
“I might take you up on that.” Rachel left the church store, crossing the street to the diner.
Opening the door, she found the restaurant busy. Searching for an empty table, she noticed Willa dropping off some pies to sell. Rachel perked up, going to stand beside her at the counter.
“Hi, Willa.”
“Hi, Rachel. Lunchtime?”
“Yes. Have you had lunch yet?”
“No.”
“Join me, then. I hate eating alone,” Rachel proposed.
“I’m not in a rush, so I can sit awhile.”
“Thanks. Let’s snatch that table before someone else does.” Rachel and Willa sat down at the empty booth, ordering their drinks and food, plus Lily’s to-go order.
“What have you been up to?” Rachel asked her shy friend.
“Nothing much.” Willa shrugged. “King’s restaurant opens next week. We came up with a couple of things for his menu.”
“That’s all you need is more work.” Rachel shook her head at her as the waitress set down their drinks.
“What does that mean?” Willa tilted her head to the side.
“It means you never get out and have any fun,” Rachel complained. “Are you coming to Mrs. Langley’s party tonight?”
“I’m busy,” Willa hedged.
“You can spare an hour. Be there,” Rachel ordered. “Lily, Holly, and I will be there, and we are party misfits.”
“I don’t know.”
“Please,” Rachel pleaded for her friend’s own good.
“All right, but if I’m miserable or make a fool of myself, then I’m never going to talk to you again,” Willa threatened.
The waitress put their food down in front of them. Rachel bit into her chicken sandwich, staring at the plain salad Willa was eating.
“Is that any good?” Rachel stared down at the salad made of mostly lettuce.
“No.” Willa picked through it, eventually taking a bite.
“I have a big ass,” Rachel admitted.
Shocked, Willa looked across the table at her.
“I do. I shove it into Spanx, and if I’ve had more than one too many fries, it jiggles like Jell-O.”
Willa’s laughter filled the restaurant and dimples peeked at Rachel.
She motioned for the waitress. “Bring her a grilled chicken breast and some of the asparagus that’s on the lunch menu.” The waitress moved off.
“I’m tired of dieting all the time,” Willa confessed.
“Then don’t. You’re beautiful; you really are.” Rachel reached across the table, laying her hand on hers. Warmth flooded from her into Willa. “I wish I looked like you. You’re soft and feminine. I look like a tomboy,” Rachel confessed. “I’m twenty-three and look seventeen. When men look at you, they see a beautiful woman, Willa.”#p#分页标题#e#
When the waitress set the plate down on the table, Rachel pushed it toward Willa. “Cut it up and put it on your salad.”