The Bachelor and the Beauty Queen

“So you want to sit here and act like you didn’t enjoy the movies?”

“Nah.” Stephen sat back. “I can’t pretend that this didn’t help me with my career.”

“Do you still watch them?”

He nodded. “Every once in a while, I can commandeer the television in the living room and get one of the girls to watch with me.”

“Saturday nights, this park converts into a sort of drive-in,” said Lexi, waving her hand like a wand toward the open area between the swing set. A group of non-school-age children played in the sandlot while their mothers sat on the benches surrounding the square. “You may enjoy it.”

“Are you asking me out on a date?” Stephen teased.

“I don’t date parents.” Did she want to tack on an anymore to the end of her statement?

“I still come even if I’ve seen the movie a dozen times,” Lexi went on. “I love the glamorous way everyone dressed back then. I can’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t want to create dresses. My mama would drag me across the state to find the perfect pageant gown because there wasn’t a shop in Southwood to cater to her needs, which is partly why I came home.”

“Makes sense.”

“What’s your favorite part of watching films?” Lexi asked.

“For me, I love the scenery. I can see a broken-down home and see its potential to be something I’ve seen in a classic movie.”

“Uh-oh.” Lexi sat up straight again.

“What?”

“It just sounds like we have a lot more in common than you’d like.”

With a deep exhale, Stephen sat back, accepting that her news was not such a bad thing.

* * *

The sun had settled over Sunshine Boulevard by the time Lexi returned to Grits and Glam Gowns. All of the diagonal parking spaces were filled with parents ready for the evening’s workshop. A twinge of guilt hit her for staying away from the shop for so long, as well as keeping Stephen away from his afternoon duties. Truth be told, time flew by as they got to know each other. She wondered what would have happened if she had met him years ago on the beaches of Villa San Juan or even somewhere on Peach Tree Boulevard.

“Miss Lexi!”

A crowd of girls between the ages of five and thirteen surrounded Lexi the moment she set foot in the door, with Philly in the center, leading the chant. For the next hour Lexi practiced walks, stances and making eye contact with the judges—the judges being Andrew, Chantal and Kimber. That last appointment came after Lexi had picked up on the teenager’s body language—eye rolls, folded arms and heavy sighs at being forced to stay with her younger sister. To stabilize the mood, Lexi had asked for Kimber’s help. The hour passed quickly, then Lexi walked the Reyes girls next door. For the second time in the day, a flock of butterflies flittered in the pit of Lexi’s stomach at the sight of Stephen’s bare chest. He and his brother worked side by side, setting up partitions in what used to be the dining area. In less than forty-eight hours, they’d flipped the bakery into something resembling an office.

“Hey, are you guys done already?” asked Nate with a bright smile “I was about to come over and get you. I already put in the order for the pizza.” The girls’ protesting groans echoing around the bare walls gave Nate reason to pause. “Did you have fun?”

“Yes,” the girls chorused.

Nate’s green eyes glanced between both girls and then Lexi. “I’m not sure how you got the two of them to agree and have fun at the same time, but thank you.”

“No need to thank me.” Lexi waved off the compliment.

“Yes, don’t thank her,” Stephen said with light humor rolling off his handsome smile. “Or you’ll be one-upping her forever.”

Nate rubbed his large hand over his square jaw. “I don’t see the problem there.”

Stephen pushed his brother’s back, jutting him forward. “But I do.”

Kimber and Philly giggled. Lexi recalled enjoying watching her mom and aunt argue over silly things. Stephen’s brotherly push appeared to be a bit harsher. Perhaps that’s how boys played with each other. What did Lexi know? She only had a sister, and with their age difference, they had nothing to argue about. But why would Stephen push Nate, especially over her? He didn’t even like her—unless she was wearing him down.

There was no denying the attraction between them at this point, though. Lexi planned on allowing Stephen the opportunity to dispel his initial impression of her. She hadn’t planned on finding him so attractive in the meantime. How was a woman supposed to resist a man like him? She swore a dimple appeared beneath his beard every time he laughed. And what a sexy laugh it was.

“The place looks good, guys,” Lexi said, glancing around. Was the heat on inside?

“This isn’t too weird for you?” asked Nate.