Series Starter Firsts in Series Collection - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,41

overdue,” I tell her. “I don’t think I’ve had my hair done since moving back six months ago. It’s on the to-do list.”

“Six months? I can’t tell; your hair is beautiful as ever. I’ve always wanted your hair.”

“It’s the curls. She can hide it. Now me, on the other hand, not so much. I went to Macy’s salon, but I wasn’t impressed with how she cut it. I can’t get it to lay right. You up for the challenge?” Dawn asks her.

“You know it. Call me next week, and I’ll work you both in. Better yet, what are you all doing tonight? We can meet at the shop later.”

“You don’t have to do that,” I tell her.

She waves off my concern. “No problem. I’ve been off several days helping Ridge get settled, so it’ll be good for me to get back in the swing of things before Monday.”

“I’m in,” Dawn announces.

Well, okay then. “All right, if you’re sure?” I say.

“Positive. What’s the fun of owning your own shop if you can’t use it whenever you want? Meet me there at six? Give me your number, and I’ll text you the address.”

I rattle off my number and not a minute later my phone pings with her text. We spend the rest of our lunch catching up, she and her mom showing us the deals they got for Baby Knox. He’s spoiled already. Splitting the tip, we part ways with the promise to meet Reagan at the shop at six. It gives us just enough time to run home, unload our loot from today, and change before heading back out.

We find Reagan’s shop without any trouble. I’ve driven past it several times and never put together who owned it. Small world.

She greets us at the door, her phone to her ear and a concerned expression on her face. “Come on in,” she says, holding the door open for us. “Dammit.” She hits end on the call and then calls again.

Dawn and I stand just inside the door, watching her. Whoever she’s trying to call still doesn’t answer.

“Sorry, guys. I’ve been trying to call Ridge for the last hour. He’s on this ‘I need to learn to do this on my own’ kick, but when your sister calls you need to answer the damn phone,” she rants.

“I’m sure everything is fine,” I try to calm her down.

“But what if it’s not? He’s a new dad, new at all of this,” She dials again, placing it on speaker phone.

The loud ring echoes throughout the shop. This time, she hits ends and runs her fingers through her hair.

“Why don’t we just drive over there? How far is it?” Dawn asks.

“Like fifteen minutes, at the most. You guys don’t mind?”

“Not at all. I’m sure it’s fine, and seeing for yourself will put you at ease,” I say.

“I’ll drive,” Reagan states, reaching for her purse and keys from the nearby counter.

Dawn and I follow her out and wait for her to lock the shop. Within minutes, we’re on our way to check on Ridge. He’s probably going to wish he’d answered his phone once he sees the three of us on his doorstep.

Reagan pulls up to a sprawling brick ranch. It’s well landscaped and looks every bit the family home.

“Come on,” she says, climbing out of the car.

Neither Dawn nor I argue, just follow her up on the porch. She doesn’t knock. Instead, she tries the door and it’s unlocked, so she walks in and motions for us to do the same.

“Why are you not answering your phone?” she hisses in a low voice.

“It’s on vibrate. He’s been fussy, and I finally got him to sleep.” Ridge’s deep voice is low as he hisses back his reply.

“We dropped what we were doing to come and check on you. I was worried,” Reagan whispers.

“We?”

It’s then that Reagan steps out of the way and reveals Dawn and me standing behind her.

In no way am I prepared for what I see. My mouth waters and I know I’m staring, but at this moment in time, I have no fucks to give. Ridge is sitting on the couch, shirtless and sporting worn jeans with holes in them, looking sexy as hell with bare feet and his tattoos on full display. I want nothing more than to trace them with my tongue. This alone is not what’s causing my girly bits to take notice though. What has my body screaming his name is his baby boy, cradled in his arms. This man—tall,