Page 113 of Under Her Skin

I follow him to the door and fight myself not to tell him I’m an idiot and I’m sorry and that he should stay, like forever or something. “Blake, I really am sorry it has to be this way. This hurtsme….”

He interrupts me as he puts his hand in my face. “Don’t, Rachelle. Don’t you dare say this hurts you worse than it hurts me because it clearly doesn’t. If it hurt you as bad as it’s killing me, you’d never do it. I’d never do what you’re doing to me, to anyone. Not my worst enemy, Rachelle. Goodbye,forever!”

The door slams behind him and I fall against it as I lock it and find I’msobbing.

What have Idone?

Part 4 Luck inLove

Rachelle

Kicking my bare feet in the warm water of Peyton and Kip’s heated swimming pool I lean back on my palms and look up at the sun through my darksunglasses.

Peyton pulls Pax around in a little inflatable dragon float and he splashes away at the water and kicks his little feet. She looks at me and sighs. “So that’s it then? No more Blake. I really liked the guy,Shelly.”

“Me too, that’s what the problem was. And the fact he liked me so much. I mean what the hell’s wrong with the guy?” I kick at the water andfrown.

A laugh comes from Peyton and she splashes me. “So you think there’s something wrong with him because he likes you? Now tell me why there would need to be something wrong with someone if they like you. I mean, I like you. Is there something wrong withme?”

“No,it’s different with you. I mean, it’s not a romantic relationship. It’s hard to explain, Peyton. It’s like he’s going to need more than I have to give, youknow?”

She laughs. “Damn! What’s the guy gotta have you don’t have? Three boobs on awoman?”

Pax says, “Damn, damn, damn.” As he floats around and Peyton slaps a hand over her mouth. “Boobs, ha.Boobs,”

A laugh escapes me and I quickly apologize. “Sorry, it’s just that it sounds so cute coming out of a baby’s mouth. I know I’m wrongthough.”

“Kip is going to be so mad at me. I’m always on his bobo to watch his mouth and here I’ve taught the baby three bad words in as many days.” Shefrowns.

“Hey, let me let you in on a little secret. Kip taught him the word, damn, a little while ago. I overheard him when he had Pax and was making him a bottle. He must’ve spilled something, and he said the word. Pax quickly copied him, so it’s not your fault, entirelyanyway.”

“Good,” she says as she cheers up. “So this little thing that just happened can remain between usthen?”

I give her a nod and lie back on the concrete. “Why does everything have to be so complicated, Peyton? Why did I feel so much jealousy when I saw him with thatwoman?”

“I suppose life would be no fun if it all went rightconstantly.”

The sound of someone walking fills my head as the concrete makes the noise travel through my head. Kip’s face looms over me and he smiles. “Hey, sunshine. I’m about to bar-b-que. You planning on hanging out with us? Peyton wants to have a funevening.”

“What is it you want me to make, Kip?” I ask, knowing he wants me to make something, he alwaysdoes.

The man wants me to come to work for them as their chef, but I know he’d overpay me and I’m not having any ofthat.

“How about the spinach, artichoke dip I love so much and for dessert that thing you made for your finals? You told Peyton you won a contest or something.” He looks intently at me and I have a feeling he knows damn well that dessert recipe was named after Blake’smother.

“Fine,I’ll make a list of the ingredients I’ll need.” I sit up and he takes a stepback.

Out of his pocket he pulls a little pad of paper and a pencil. “Thought you might say yes. And jot down what alcoholic beverage you might like to drink. I’m making pork ribs, if that has anything to do with what you wish todrink.”

“You’re staying here tonight then, Shelly. Do you hear me?” Peyton bosses like a bigsister.

“Yes, Mom,” I say with a laugh. “Staying at your house is like staying in a five-star hotel. You’ll never hear me complaining about yourinvitations.”

Kip squats down and touches the tip of my nose, drawing my attention to him. “You know, if you’d take our offer to be our personal chef you’d have a permanent place here. The apartment for the chef is three times the size of the one you live in now and its part of the salary. No bills, Rachelle. Only money, money, money for all your hardwork.”

“You really should think about it, Shelly,” Peyton says as she splashes a little water at me. “Plus, you’d get paid for all the things we ask you to make for us, instead of doing it forfree.”

Kip gives my arm a little punch. “Maybe if I throw in a car? Would that tip the scales in ourfavor?”