She looked up in time to see Nicole laugh. “It’s okay. I wasn’t trying to put you on the spot. I know, I know, I’ve been on TV much more than I’d like.”
Lucas braced a hand on Bailey’s shoulder. “Haven’t we all.”
“Amen,” Bailey said.
Lucas’ brows came together. “Have we met before? I feel like I know you from somewhere.”
Nicole pursed her lips. “No. I don’t think so, but isn’t that always the way? You see someone on TV and feel like you know them.”
His expression changed to recognition then quickly back to his usual reserved smile. “You’re so right.” He looked around the table. “I must return to the kitchen, but thank you for coming, and let me know if you need anything.”
Bailey turned to glance after Lucas when a pair of hands landed on her shoulders. She turned to see Ryan behind her.
His smile faded when their eyes met. “You okay?”
She smiled. “Perfectly fine. Why does everyone keep asking me that?”
His grin spread. “Yep, you’re fine.”
“Ryan, why don’t you join us?” Linda said, waving her hand at the table. “Pull up a chair.”
“No, I wouldn’t want to intrude.”
Bailey grabbed his hand. “Yes, sit with us before your set.”
“Okay, if you don’t mind another person.” He turned to grab a chair to place between her and Nicole. “So, how was the drive up?”
Nicole laughed. “Well, nobody died, but it was touch and go for a while.”
“Shut up,” Stanley said. “There’s nothing wrong with my driving.”
Everyone at the table laughed, and Bailey felt warm and fuzzy all of a sudden. Her family, her friends, and Ryan. That was all she needed in this life.
Linda took a sip of her water, then asked, “How long has this place been open?”
“This is our sixth year.”
“Congratulations, Ryan,” Alex said. “It’s obviously very successful.”
He grinned. “Thank you. We’re thrilled with the success we’ve had.”
“Wait until you see him play. Oh, and try the food.” She waved a hand toward the waiter as he approached the table. “Lucas is an amazing chef.”
“We’d like to try the guacamole,” Linda said, looking up at the waiter as he wrote down the order. “We’ll start with a salad then the family-style enchiladas.” She smiled over at Ryan. “Are those good choices?”
Ryan nodded. “You won’t be disappointed. Did someone take your drink orders?”
“Sure did,” Wade said, coming up behind Ryan’s chair with a tray of drinks. He set them down one at a time, with a margarita and a shot of tequila for Bailey.
Bailey introduced everyone to Wade, who oozed charm, especially when she came to Nicole. He flirted shamelessly, which forced Bailey to grimace and chase Wade away from the table. Being recently widowed, she was pretty sure Nicole didn’t want to hook up with the bartender.
After having a drink with the family, Ryan excused himself to get to work. He gave her a peck on the cheek before stepping away from the table. Butterflies attacked her stomach in a sudden rush. She hadn’t seen him on stage in a while, and damn, she’d missed her Friday and Saturday nights here watching him play.
He climbed the stage, and Bailey couldn’t take her eyes off him. He flowed so fluidly, so comfortable in front of a crowd. He held zero tension, though nobody knew that but her. She’d become so in tune with him, she knew every expression and every movement. His stance, his smile, and the way he walked as he approached the piano and set his drink down. He was happy to be on stage. He glanced over at her and gave her a lopsided grin. She couldn’t help but smile back. It spread across her face like a teenager after the cutest boy in school had just winked at her.
Nicole nudged her with her elbow. “I think he might love you,” she said.
Bailey glanced at her. “I think you might be right.”
“You’re a lucky girl, Bailey.”
Bailey was about to respond when she heard the slight crackle of the mic and Ryan’s amplified voice boom out over the crowd.
“How’s it going?” he said. “Welcome back to El Lago on this fine Friday night.”
The crowd didn’t disappoint. A roar came up, and Bailey almost wanted to plug her ears. Her eyes met Ryan’s, and he said, “This first song is for someone special. She knows who she is.” And as if she wasn’t giddy enough, he winked at her.
She couldn’t take her eyes off him as he sat on his stool, and the piano came to life with the intro to “More Than Anyone” by Gavin DeGraw. It was one of her favorite songs. It held a lot of meaning for the two of them, and Ryan poured his heart and soul into it. As he played, she glanced around the table to see the eyes of her family. They were all staring at Ryan, and Bailey felt a sense of pride come over her until she looked at Nicole, the only one who didn’t hold an expression of admiration. Bailey wasn’t totally sure, but Nicole looked angry. Her eyes were narrowed at the stage and at Ryan. When Bailey heard Ryan sing the last note, she looked back toward the stage, positive she was mistaken.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
On Saturday, Bailey walked over to the Spatz’s vacation rental. It was only a few blocks away, and the day was warmer than usual. When she arrived, her entire family was sitting around the TV, their eyes locked on the screen.
“Hello,” she said. “What’s going on?”
Linda looked up at her, her mouth hanging open. “Could this be true?” she asked.
Bailey stepped closer and looked at the TV. There was a photo of her parents being shown. Her parents—Helen and Ernie Morton. “What the hell are they—” When she recognized The Rosa Trials set, her heart sank.
“Could it be possible that Marianne Spatz was
