Playing House

by Laura Chapman

  She moistened her lips and took a shaky breath. She liked everything he’d said. It also gave her heart a jolt of fear. It was way more than she’d expected. Way more than she could have imagined.

  Wilder had always appreciated the truth, so she gave it. “I meant what happens next, like do you want to grab some dinner? Or maybe we do one more walk-through of the house.”

  She couldn’t see his face, but she felt him tense. He cleared his throat. “Dinner sounds good. What would you like?”

  Though he tried to play it off, she could tell he was disappointed. She couldn’t fault him for that. He’d put down all of his cards, ones she didn’t even know he was holding. And she was talking about burgers or pizza.

  “All of it.”

  “Are you talking about food or. . .”

  She turned around and linked her arms around his neck. “Everything you said—it sounds good. I want to go to all of those places with you. I just wonder . . . is it even possible?”

  “We can make it possible.”

  “What about Waverly and Virginia and the show and—”

  He kissed her forehead. “We’ll figure it out.”

  “Okay.” She wasn’t sure how. There was so much at stake, but for now, she wanted to believe it would work out. That they could be together. She wanted it even more than she’d wanted the white finish on the cupboards. She’d never thought it would be possible—wanting someone like this. It was still hard to believe, but she did.

  “Now to answer your original question . . . about what we should do.” He gave her a quick hug, then stepped back, reaching into his pocket. He scrolled through his phone and clicked a couple of buttons. A jazzy tune filled the air and he set the phone on the counter. Grabbing her by the hand, he pulled her toward the empty space where the nook would soon stand. “Dance with me.”

  He wrapped an arm around her waist and held the other in the air. She couldn’t help gaping. “Seriously?”

  “Sure, why not?” He shifted her hand to his shoulder, then swayed again. “It would be a shame not to take advantage of the space while we can.”

  His cheek rested against her temple, and they moved together again, this time to real music. She closed her eyes and leaned into him.

  ***

  The wallpaper in the bathroom had to go. Bailey had never understood why anyone would put wallpaper in a space that collected so much moisture. It was a recipe for hidden mold. They needed to do something about the kitchen. The dark red walls made the tiny space look even smaller. It was like being trapped in a box with only a tiny window overlooking an overgrown bush as the only way out. Knocking down the walls to the dining area and living room would be the best way to maximize the space. At the very least, a lighter color would help.

  She didn’t want to know where the ultra-kitschy painting on Paige’s mantle had come from. It was a little red barn painted on a piece of limestone. Her sister didn’t even like barns. At least, not as long as she’d known her. Maybe it was a gift from a student. Or it had been an impulse buy at a craft fair or some vintage market. Paige’s sense of style had always been . . . a bit wanting.

  Bailey was glad she’d been called in at last. There was still hope to save this little condo. Plus, now that she was almost, maybe, unemployed, she needed a new project. And if she had to stare at the wood paneling in the living room for another year, she’d probably lose it.

  “It isn’t that bad,” Paige said. “I think it’s kind of cute and retro.”

  “It is that bad.” So bad Bailey was doing this redecorating for only the cost of materials. Paige wasn’t getting a deal just because they were sisters. No, this was pro bono work for the betterment of humanity. If it wasn’t for humanity, well, at least it would be less of an eyesore for whoever spent time there.

  “We’ll start after filming wraps.” In the meantime, she could work on some sketches and do a little shopping. She’d do it alone. Paige would rather rewrite the state of Texas’s entire elementary school curriculum single-handedly than spend an hour in a hardware store.

  “Aren’t you and Wilder going on vacation after the show wraps?”

  “Maybe.” Bailey chewed on her lip. “I’m not sure any of those plans are going to pan out. He’s not really the master of his own destiny.”

  “But Felix told me Wilder has already checked out flights and called to make sure someone would have his condo ready to go in a few weeks.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “He might even have a couple of special surprises up his plaid sleeves. I may have heard something about a candlelight dinner on the terrace.”

  Bailey’s stomach flipped. For a man who had said there wouldn’t be flowers or romantic dinners, he’d sure changed his tune.

  “We can start work on the house after that.”

  Even if sneaking away to Mexico panned out, Bailey wasn’t holding out any hope for the rest of his plans. Waverly still hadn’t come out and said what she wanted to do next. Bailey also didn’t entirely buy that Wilder was ready to walk away from everything he’d built.

  But Paige seemed so excited by the possibility of Wilder and Bailey’s romance having a longer shelf life, Bailey didn’t want to bring up her concerns now.

  Instead, she turned the subject back to the house. “So what finally changed your mind about fixing up the place?”

  “Well . . . Felix and I have been talking, and he’s going to move in before winter.”

  Bailey dropped her pencil. “Excuse me? Did I hear you say that you’ve asked a man to move in here with you?”

  “That’s right.”

  “You’ve given up your . . . extracurricular activities?” Bailey couldn’t imagine Felix wanting to take this step if she still planned on having other men over when he was out.

  “What can I say? I’m a woman in love.”

  It would seem that after decades of feeling unwanted and undeserving, the Meredith sisters had found a pair of lucky suckers who’d changed all of that.

  Bailey threw her arms around Paige. “I’m happy for you.”

  “Thank you.” She squeezed back. “It’s time we opened ourselves up to the possibility that our lives can turn out the way we want.”

  ***

  The wheels of the airplane touched down at La Guardia, and Wilder couldn’t be happier. For one thing, Virginia had pitched a fit midflight, insisting she needed to sit by him and not her nanny. Though she was usually mild-mannered, when his daughter decided to pitch a fit, she pitched it. He also couldn’t wait to share the city with Bailey, who’d graciously swapped seats with Virginia to keep the peace. She’d been a little nervous during takeoff—she hadn’t been on a plane since she was a kid—but after he’d talked her through the noises and bumps, she’d completely relaxed.

  Then again, it was hard not to be relaxed when you were flying private. The Playing House crew didn’t usually travel with such style, but given the size of their entourage, the network had splurged. They were traveling deep. In addition to the usual suspects, his parents were along for the ride.

  He wanted his parents to see what this part of his life was like. He had to admit he also wanted them to get to know Bailey. They’d interacted with her briefly during their visits the past few months, but it wasn’t much. While he hadn’t told his parents the full truth, they’d figured it out. Even though he and Bailey had been on their best, most professional behavior, his parents had exchanged more than a few looks, and they’d had knowing glints in their eyes.

  They loved her. It was impossible not to love her.

  That had certainly been the case for him.

  She’d had his heart from day one. He could see that now—the way she’d instantly gripped him. There was no denying what she meant to him. Even if he couldn’t say it out loud. Not yet. He cast a glance across the plane to where Bailey was chatting with the nanny while they taxied. He couldn’t hear what they were saying, but the contented smile on her face had his heart swelling. Seeming to sense his gaze, she glanced up and the s
mile became his.

  He couldn’t say he loved her out loud yet, but he could admit it to himself.

  The excitement didn’t diminish as they made their way to the waiting cars sent from the studio. He slid into the same SUV as her, which earned him a slightly disgruntled look from Waverly, but he didn’t care. In all seriousness, the only part of this trip that mattered to him was getting to share it with the people who mattered most. Waverly’s annoyance disappeared when he volunteered to take Virginia for the afternoon, which freed up her schedule.

  She was in her own car and probably halfway to Devon’s apartment on the Upper West Side before his entourage was packed up and situated into their vehicle. He was just fine with that. Correction: he was better than fine with that. Happily seated between Bailey and Virginia in the back, with his parents in the middle and the nanny up front, Wilder couldn’t think of any other way he’d rather experience New York.

  Their journey from the airport to the hotel took almost an hour. Virginia’s midflight fit had left her exhausted, and she’d zonked out early in the drive. His parents were pointing out the window and chatting to each other while the nanny played around on her phone.

  With no one paying attention—and not really caring if they did at this point—Wilder clasped Bailey’s hand in his and watched her take in the city.

  “It’s really something,” she whispered. “I mean, you get the idea of it on movies and TV shows. But it’s a totally different experience being here.”

  “Haven’t you already been here?”

  “Once.” The grin slipped and a hint of sadness flashed across her face before she forced that mask of neutrality again. “But I really don’t remember much.”

  “What do you remember?”

  “Just little pieces. Tidbits here and there. Most of it about my dad.”

  He willed her to elaborate, to say more about what she remembered of her father. Had there been any moments of happiness? Or was the man who had left them behind really nothing more than a heartless cad?

  “Has he been in touch with you lately?”

  She shook her head and pulled her lips together tighter. “No. I’m sure he’s found out I’m in town. But I hope he’ll have the decency to avoid any of the places we’ll be.”

  “I don’t imagine he’ll have access to the itinerary,” Wilder assured her, pressing her fingers, silently offering her some of his strength. “The DN runs on contracts and lawyers, but they don’t usually get called in on the day-to-day tasks like these.”

  “Here’s hoping.” She went back to watching the New York City sights pass her by. This time with less of the excitement from before.

  Wanting to restore some of that, if possible, Wilder gestured to an old warehouse. “See that?”

  She nodded.

  “That was one of the first projects I worked on when I moved here.”

  “Really?”

  “Yep. It used to be a textile shop. Then they made widgets of some kind. Then it was probably a hospital—everything in New York used to be something else.”

  “Naturally.” Her lips twitched. “So, what is it now? High-end lofts?”

  “Naturally. Isn’t that the exact kind of yuppified thing you’d expect in New York?”

  “You and Felix must have shaken them up when you came to town,” Bailey mused. “With your good ol’ Texas boy ways and your laid-back attitudes. I bet they didn’t know what to think of you.”

  “If someone took that bet, you’d make a fair amount of money. Half the time these Yankees still don’t know what to make of me—and I’ve been one of them for years.”

  This time she laughed and his shoulders relaxed. He wanted this trip to be only good for Bailey. He wanted her to enjoy every minute—or as much of it as possible—while it happened. When it was over, he wanted her to realize they could make it work. Even if they didn’t have a clear blueprint, they could figure out the overall design of a life together.

  He’d start by showing her New York. Then, he’d make it his life’s work to show her how good their life could be, if she’d just give him—and them—a chance.

  He held out his phone. “Hey, lean in.”

  Her eyebrows drew together, but she obliged, as he slipped an arm around her shoulder. She smiled brightly, and he snapped picture after picture. He held his lips to her temple and snapped the last one.

  “What was that for?”

  “Posterity.”

  “The drive from the airport to the hotel is worthy of documentation?”

  “Bailey Honey, every moment I’m with you is noteworthy.”

  It sounded even cheesier out loud than it had in his head. But when her eyes softened, and she rested her cheek against his shoulder, he decided being cheesy wasn’t a bad thing.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  What a whirlwind. It felt like a cliché to say, but it was the truth. In a few short days in New York, she’d already seen and done so much. She’d gone to the top of the Empire State Building. She’d eaten a hot dog and a slice of pizza from street vendors. She’d had real New York bagels. She’d seen a game at Yankee Stadium. Or more precisely, she’d seen a game being played at Yankee Stadium while she was driving by, but still—it was the Yankees. Wilder had even taken her to the deli where Sally faked an orgasm in When Harry Met Sally.

  That had just been the first day.

  The next day, they’d been busy at the DN East Coast offices where she’d finally met the infamous Devon. She and Wilder could learn a thing or two about how to manage a covert workplace romance from Devon and Waverly. You would’ve never known they were together and having a baby based on how they acted. Bailey couldn’t decide if it was inspiring or disheartening and cold.

  With everything they’d had to do that day—dubbing tape and providing voiceovers along with facts and figures to run on the screen—Bailey had always been on guard. Even though Wilder had assured her there was little chance she’d run into her father, she couldn’t stop looking. Part of the problem was that she wasn’t entirely sure who to look for around corners. It had been so long since she’d seen him. He’d probably aged.

  Virginia had gone with Waverly and Devon for that evening, and Wilder took Bailey and his parents out for dinner. They’d talked and laughed for hours, with his parents regaling her with stories about what kind of trouble their son had gotten into during his childhood. After, they’d walked through Times Square before heading back to the hotel. There, Wilder had kept her up later than he should have given their busy schedule. And in the morning, before they were due at the studio, he took her to see his New York storefront. She’d struggled to hide her surprise as she walked through. It was so polished and high-end. Just like Waverly. She searched to find hints of Wilder, but there just weren’t that many.

  It was a whole new experience. Being here in New York with Wilder. After spending so much time in their little bubble in Texas, it was almost like being with a different person. Strangely enough, she didn’t mind Big City Wilder. While the Texas version would always be her favorite, this one was pretty adorable, too.

  He certainly was charming. No matter what they were doing or where they were, he always seemed to be looking for some new way to impress her. He was so . . . attentive. Not that he’d been anything but attentive down in Texas, but this was a new level. It was so . . . much.

  But Bailey was trying to be more forward-thinking with Wilder. Paige’s words had stayed with her through the final days of renovating and filming, and they were with her now. Maybe this was her reward. Maybe this was what she’d earned after years of waiting for something to give.

  Who would have guessed she’d find it in a supporting role on a home improvement TV show? Who would have guessed she’d find it with a man like Wilder?

  She was running on fumes by the time they made it to the network offices. Now that they were done with voiceovers, it was time for a meeting with the execs. Wilder flopped down next to her in the conference room. Since no one else was
there yet, he kissed her nose and tweaked her chin.

  “I’m thinking this is almost a wrap, babe.”

  His words tugged at her unexpectedly. “I can’t believe it’s almost over.”

  “Over for now.”

  The set of his jaw, the hardness in his voice, suggested she shouldn’t argue. She didn’t because she desperately wanted to believe him.

  Before either of them could say anything to soothe—or stoke a fire—the rest of the crew poured into the room.

  “Anyone want to watch the raw cut of our first episode?” Renee asked. “Because y’all—”

  Everyone let out a drawn-out “oooohh” because Renee had once vowed she’d leave Texas without picking up that word and making it part of her everyday vocabulary.

  She waved her hands as if to say “yeah, yeah, yeah,” and powered on. “What I’m trying to say that if any of you guys would like to watch the raw cut, you might know a guy—or rather a woman—who can hook you up.”

  Wilder cast a sidelong glance at Bailey. “I’m game. Are you?”

  She nodded. “I’d love to see it.”

  “Can you set it up for us?” Waverly asked. Catching the confusion on Bailey’s face, her lips curved up. “Can you tell us the basic premise of this episode?”

  “Of course.” Grabbing the remotes and rising to his feet, Devon began. “In the first episode of this season—” The crew cat-called and cheered. He waited for them to quiet down before continuing. “In this season, Wilder and Waverley have found the perfect little piece of heaven in Wilder’s home state. But Waverly isn’t sure she wants to be so far away from home this season . . .”

  “Maybe Devon missed his calling,” Wilder whispered in Bailey’s ear. “Maybe he should host his own show. He certainly has the dramatic flair our demographic wants to see on TV.”

  She elbowed him in the side, which only made him chuckle.

  Their sidebar went unnoticed by Devon, who continued his introduction. “Wilder is very persuasive, and she decides to give it a shot. Once in Texas, Wilder and Waverley also meet their first clients, the couple with the cabin in the woods.”