Best of My Love (Fool's Gold, #20)(69)

“Thank you,” she told him. “I was hoping you’d agree. Want me to offer you free cookies for life?”

“No. I get enough of your baked goods as it is. Too many more and I won’t be able to exercise off the calories.” He winked. “I’m married to a country star. I’ve got to look good.”

“I think Destiny would love you regardless.”

“I hope so, but I’m not testing the theory.” He hugged her again. “I’m proud of you, Shelby.”

“Thank you. I’m kind of proud of me, too.”

*

AIDAN WANTED TO ignore his cell phone but Nick had called twice in two minutes. “It must be important,” he said as he pushed the button to accept the call.

“You at Shelby’s place?” Nick asked by way of greeting. “I’m coming over.”

Aidan looked at the equipment spread out around them and grimaced. “It’s not a good time.”

“Don’t give me that. I know you’re not naked because you’re not getting any. Whatever you’re doing can wait.”

Before Aidan could protest, there was a knock on the front door. He ended the call and swore.

“Nick’s here.”

“I got that,” Shelby said with a laugh. “Should I let him in?”

Aidan swore. “You’re going to have to.”

He pulled his feet out of the hot water and reached for a towel just as his brother walked into Shelby’s living room.

Nick came to a stop and stared. “Holy crap. What is she doing to you?”

Charlie raced over to greet him. Nick bent and petted the dog as he looked around. “You’re scaring me, bro.”

Aidan glanced at the soaking trays for their feet, all the files, clippers and other equipment on a towel on the coffee table. There were bottles of nail polish, toe separators, buffers and things he couldn’t name but knew how to use.

“I’m the only one who gets her toes painted,” Shelby offered.

Nick swung his head to look at her. “You’re the devil, aren’t you?”

Shelby laughed. “So speaks the man who’s never had a pedicure. Sit.”

Nick looked between them. “I’m not playing your sick game.”

Aidan moved out of the way. “The lady said to sit.”

Nick cautiously sat down. Aidan replaced the water and set the soaking tray in front of his brother.

“You’re going to want to take off your shoes and socks, then roll up your pants.”

Nick looked skeptical. “Then what?”

“Then you wait for things to get soft,” Shelby said, her voice soothing.

Nick swung his head to look at Aidan. “It makes it go soft?”

“No, you ass. The skin on your feet.” Aidan glared at him. “What’s wrong with you?”

“With me? You’re the one having a pedicure.”

“Yeah, a beautiful woman wants to hang out with me and touch my body. It’s miserable.”

“Hey, she’s only touching your feet.”

That was what Nick thought and Aidan wasn’t about to correct him. He saw Shelby hide a smile as she helped Nick roll up his pants. The other man reluctantly took off his boots and socks, then put his feet in the warm water.

“What’s in this?” he asked, his voice suspicious.

“Does it matter?” Shelby winked. “You’re already committed.”

Nick glared at her, then relaxed back in the seat. “Is this what you two do together? Take care of your feet?”

“Among other things.” She sounded serene as she spoke. “Sometimes Aidan braids my hair.”

“She’s kidding,” he said quickly.

“I’m not so sure,” his brother told him. “Man, now I really have to worry about you.”

“Don’t. I’m fine.”

“You’re not seeing the big picture.”

Aidan sat next to Shelby. She shifted so she could put her feet on his thigh. She handed him the base coat.

“Why are you here?” Aidan asked as he began to paint her toes.

“I wanted to tell you about my trip to Happily Inc.,” Nick told him.

Aidan glanced up. “Yeah? You saw Ronan and Mathias?”

“Uh-huh. They’re doing great. It’s an interesting town. East of Los Angeles, in the foothills. High desert, I guess it’s called. But there’s a hot spring and caves and mountains for skiing. It’s more stark than here.”

Aidan looked at him. “Do not, under any circumstances, start describing the colors of everything, I beg you.”

Nick laughed. “Would I do that?”

Shelby sighed. “You would so do that. Did you like it there?”

“I did. I wasn’t sure. It’s smaller than Fool’s Gold by a lot. The big industry is destination weddings. There are venues all over for them. Houses that look like castles or Southern plantations. You can have any kind of wedding you want, with Roman chariots or cowboys.”

“I like cowboys,” Shelby said.

Aidan turned to her. “You do?”

“Who doesn’t?”

“They smell.”

She laughed. “They don’t smell. They’re nice. Zane Nicholson is nice.”