Every Time I Fall (Orchid Valley 3)

“Don’t be.” I accept the stack of cookies and take a bite out of the top one. The buttery, sugary goodness melts on my tongue, and the moan I release is one thousand percent sincere. “Sweet mother of God.”

Stella laughs. “I know, right? That’s the salted caramel with mocha chocolate chips. Abbi’s a goddess in the kitchen, but she refuses to share the recipe with anyone. Said it’s bad for business.”

Just the sound of her name is enough to make my body remember why I’m here. This cookie is amazing, but I’m much more interested in the woman holding the recipe. “I bet I can talk her out of it,” I say, winking at my sister. “Thanks for these.” I walk away slowly, listening for the sounds of Stella returning to her post inside The Orchid so I can cut around the back.

“Dean,” she calls again.

I paste on a smile as I force myself to turn. “Yeah?”

“Your car is that way,” she says, pointing down the block in the opposite way I’m heading.

I don’t let my smile waver. “I’m just going for a little walk.”

She props her hands on her hips. “Are you really, though?”

No, Stell. I’m trying to sneak into the kitchen so I can fuck your friend in her office, and if I don’t do it soon I’m gonna need to see my doctor, because I haven’t had an erection that lasted this long since I was fifteen. “Really,” I lie. “It’s a nice night.”

“You’re not going to that dive bar to drink away your troubles?”

I follow her gaze and realize I’m headed in the direction of The Terminal. “I wasn’t planning on it, but the more you annoy me about it, the more appealing it sounds.”

“I’m your sister. It’s my job to worry.”

“Your job? I’m sorry to tell you that you’re out of work. I closed that door, and now I’m doing a lot better.” So much better, I realize. Thanks to Abbi. And it isn’t just that she’s distracting me, it’s that she gives me something to look forward to. I didn’t realize it before I started seeing Amy, but my life had become monotonous. The only thing I ever got excited about was work, and I was getting really lonely. When Amy dumped me, that loneliness came back with a vengeance. But now I have Abbi. At least for the time being.

“Okay.” Stella sighs. “Enjoy your walk. I’ll see you later.” She turns to leave me, finally.

“Stella,” I call out as she reaches for the door. “I do appreciate you, but I promise I’m fine. It was just a rough patch. I’m on the other side.”

She stares at her shoes for a long time before lifting her gaze back up to meet mine. “She never deserved you,” she says softly.

I shrug. Maybe she’s right. Or maybe I never deserved Amy, or maybe that’s not how any of this works. “I’m kind of moving on,” I say, even though I shouldn’t. “I’ve been seeing someone, and . . . she makes me really happy.”

“You are? Who?”

I grin and back away. “I’m not talking about it yet.”

“But she makes you happy? Would I like her?” She props her hands on her hips. “You can’t marry a woman I wouldn’t like. Our family isn’t big enough for that.”

“You don’t need to worry. I promise.”

Stella gives me her first real smile of the day. “I love this. Abbi said she’s dating again too. It’s awesome to see two of my favorite people putting themselves back out there.” She heads back inside, and I stare after her.

Abbi’s dating again too. Did Abbi tell her that? When Abbi told Stella that, was she talking about me or someone else?

If there is anyone else, I’m gonna make damn sure she’s too busy thinking about me to give him a second thought.

I cut around the back of The Orchid, a man on a mission.

The back hallway is quiet, but I can hear people talking and working in the kitchen. I make out Abbi’s voice as she instructs the staff on their final tasks of the night. I love her voice. It’s a little low and sultry, and I’ve spent most of my afternoon imagining that voice right in my ear, whispering, “See for yourself.”

I pass the kitchen and swing into her office, claiming the chair behind the desk. Tonight might not be the night for propping her up in front of me and putting my mouth between her legs. At least not here. Her desk is small, and there isn’t much flat surface that isn’t occupied. But I’m sure as hell gonna touch her.

Leaning back in the chair, I grab my phone and tap out a quick text.

Dean: Meet me in your office, please? I have some things I’d like to discuss with you.