Read Online Trouble In Bloom by Heather Webber - Free Book Online Page A

helping." I exited the highway, turned left.
    "Sorry."
    Her smile told me she wasn't sorry at all. I didn't hold it against her. She just wanted me to be happy—and she believed Bobby made me happy.
    Which he did. But it wasn't as easy as that.
    "Do you want to do a little undercover work tonight?" I asked.
    "I'm hoping I'll be under covers with Carson by the end of the night."
    I rolled my eyes. "How about getting a date first?" Carson didn't strike me as a one-night-stand kind of guy. "Maybe play hard to get?"
    "Yes, Mom ."
    I thought about Ana's mother. "Don't make me call Aunt Rosa." Though I wasn't all that sure Aunt Rosa wouldn't take Ana's side. The apple and the tree.
    Great. I'd gone and done it again. I moved "stop using revised clichés" to the top of my self-discovery to-do list.
    Ana pointed with the wand of her lip gloss. "You wouldn't."
    "Tempt me."
    "Fine. What do you want me to do?"
    I explained about Willie, Genevieve, and Thad. "Just keep your eyes open."
    "This could be fun!"
    "You absolutely can't say anything to Carson Keyes. I don't think Josh Drake wants the sexual harassment case publicized yet."
    I pulled into the Hitched or Ditched lot, found a space near the back. The security guard let us in, and someone with a clipboard directed us to the first fl oor studio.
    Ana spotted Carson Keyes bent over a folder and made a beeline toward him, sashaying in her four-inch heels.
    I looked around for Bobby but didn't see him on set. I took a minute to soak it all in. The design was very similar to the Newlywed Game . Two booths sat side by side, where the contestants would sit. But instead of a lectern for Thad, there was a heart-shaped hot tub, like you'd see in an ad for the Poconos. I walked over to it. Steam rose and the water bubbled.
    For a second I let myself remember the time Bobby and I had driven down to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, for a weekend getaway. There'd been a hot tub in our hotel room. We'd made good use of it.
    "Nina?"
    I spun.
    Bobby stood there, eyes narrowed. "Is that you?"
    "Hi." I tucked my hair behind my ear.
    His gaze traveled me up and down, darkening with each trip. Finally, it rested on my lips.
    I gulped.
    "You look amazing."
    "Thanks."
    "Really amazing."
    Okay, I'd had it with people saying that. "What was I before? Chopped liver?"
    He laughed. "Not at all. You've always been beautiful. This . . . this just puts the shine on the diamond."
    I turned back to the hot tub. My. Heart. Ached. "Well, if that wasn't the cheesiest line I've ever heard." I was proud my voice stayed strong despite the lump in my throat.
    His chest brushed my back as he came up behind me. "Cheesy, but true." He dipped his thumb in the water, then slid it over the back of my hand. "Remember Gatlinburg?"
    I sidestepped away from him, my face fl ushed. And not from the steam. "No."
    Blue eyes sparkled. "Liar."
    Where was Ana? Both she and Carson had disappeared. Great. I did spot Perry and Mario across the room and practically sprinted for them.
    "See? What did I tell you?" I heard Perry gushing to Mario, an artist in awe of his masterpiece.
    I was never happier to see people in my whole life.
    Perry kissed both my cheeks. "Doesn't she look gorgeous?" Perry asked Bobby, whose body heat practically seared my silk shirt.
    "More than."
    Mario nodded, approving. "Delectable."
    "Stop it, you guys! I can't take so many compliments in one day."
    "Well, sugar, you better get used to it," Perry said.
    I wondered if I could. It was just . . . weird.
    "Ms. Quinn?"
    A short, slim redhead introduced herself. "I'm Sherry Cochran. Thad's wife? He spoke to you about doing a makeover?"
    "Oh hi." I made introductions.
    She shifted on her kitten heels. "I was hoping we could talk for a minute tonight after the taping."
    "All right." I wondered if I could worm any information out of her regarding Jessica Ayers and why she'd been fired. It would be nice if she could confirm what Perry had heard so I could call Josh and have this