Every Time I Fall (Orchid Valley 3)

“I wanted it to be a surprise because I figured you’d object to the cost and me picking up the tab.”

“I’m such an idiot.”

“Stop that. You’re not. I just didn’t think this through. It never occurred to me that you’d think I’d bring you to the gym.”

I study a crack in the sidewalk. A bunch of weeds grow there in a vivid green. I wonder how long they’ll last before someone comes and sprays them. “I’m sorry. It’s just . . . you need to understand how frequently people try to fix me—try to help me lose weight, or get into shape the way they think I should be in shape, but . . .” I shrug. “I’ve been like this my whole life, and I’m tired of fighting it. Getting skinny isn’t part of the plan this time.”

I feel his fingers under my chin, and then he lifts my face until I’m looking him in the eye. I feel like he can see every insecurity written on my soul. “I don’t want to change you. If you remember, my whole point when we started this was that there’s nothing wrong with you. You don’t need to learn to be good in bed, because you already are.”

“But this is different. This is—”

“It’s really not. There’s nothing wrong with you, Abbi. I’m not trying to change you. That’s not what I’m after here.” Those searching eyes settle on my lips and stay.

“Everything okay?”

Dean drops his hand and jumps back, as if I sparked on fire. “Kace! Hey.” He nods toward the entrance. “We’re heading in for massages. What are you doing here?”

“You both have massages today?” Kace asks.

“Yeah.” I bite my lip and turn to face my brother. “Crazy coincidence, huh?”

Kace’s shrug says he doesn’t actually care. “Cool. I’m gonna squeeze in a workout before meeting Stella for lunch.”

“Nice,” Dean says.

“Don’t worry,” Kace says, grinning. “I promise I’m still treating your sister like the goddess she is.”

“I know.” Dean coughs. “Seriously, we’re way past that. It’s fine. I . . . I hope you two have a nice lunch.”

* * *

Dean

When Kace disappears inside the gym, I let out a long breath.

In truth, if anyone should be cool about his best friend dating his sister, it’d have to be Kace. He didn’t tell me when he and Stella first started hooking up—which was probably for the best, considering it wasn’t even a relationship back then. But ultimately, I decided to trust him with Stella. I’d like to think he’d trust me with Abbi, but he’s pretty damn protective. I can’t blame him for that. That’s the way he’s made.

The thing is, no one needs to protect Abbi from me. If anything, the reverse might be true.

“Ready?” I ask.

She blows out a breath. “Sure. I haven’t actually had a massage in . . .” She shakes her head and laughs. “You’d think working in a spa, I’d be the person who gets them all the time, but somehow it never works out.” She frowns. “Why didn’t you schedule these at The Orchid? Brinley would beat your ass if she realized you were supporting the competition.”

I chuckle. She’s not wrong. “I considered it, but then I realized it’d be easier to keep this thing between us between us if we didn’t roll into the place your best friends work for a couples massage.”

She shrugs as if to say, You have a point there. But there’s something else in her expression too, and I can’t help but feel like I’ve disappointed her somehow. Does she think I want to sneak around? She’s the one who insisted we not tell anyone. Even though my rational brain agrees with her reasoning, a bigger part of me wishes I didn’t have to hide a thing.

“Besides, I got a great deal on this.”

“I hope so. I don’t want you to feel like you have to spend money on me.”

“It’s just money.” I shrug. I could tell her that I like an excuse to spoil her a little, but I’m not sure that would put her at ease.

She worries her bottom lip between her teeth until it’s red and swollen. I want to taste it. “How does a couples massage work, anyway?” she asks, pulling my thoughts back to safer territory.

I shake my head. “No idea. I’ve never had one before.” I push open the door. “Let’s go find out.”

After we check in at the front desk, they send us up the stairs to the massage area. The place is run through the gym, but the second floor has its own atmosphere. Soft music plays in the background, and the air smells subtly of citrus and lavender. I’m already relaxing just from stepping into this space.

Rachel’s waiting for us behind a small receptionist desk. “Hi! Dean, it’s good to see you again.”