Page 44 of Love Like Lightning

To show her how magical Ever Lake is.

Once I pack up my things, I find her sitting at the small table that we shared the other night, scrolling through her phone. I grab my tools and walk over to her.

“Hey, so I’m all set here. No more leaking issues, and I made sure to clean up. Probably not as well as housekeeping, but I did my best.”

“Oh!” She looks up from her phone, turning over and placing it on the table. “Don’t worry about that. Thank you.”

We stay like that, looking at each other for a minute before I get the nerve to say what I want to say. I’m not exactly experienced at trying to be friends with someone I’ve slept with before. Especially not someone I’d still like to sleep with if she did.

“So, listen, I was thinking…”

Smiling, she crosses her legs and does the same with her arms. “Uh oh.”

“No, for real. I know you said you were here for work, but do you think you’d have time for a little tour? I thought it would be nice to show you around a little. Ever Lake has some real gems to see.”

Her smile dims slightly, and I watch her worry her bottom lip. It takes everything in me not to reach out and smooth my thumb against it.

“Listen, Henry, I meant what I said the other night.”

I have no doubt about that. She made it clear that she doesn’t think I’m capable of any kind of commitment. I don’t blame her, but it still sucks. For a minute there, I almost thought that she could be someone who saw me for who I really am. And yeah, maybe in the past I haven’t exactly been Mr. Commitment, but I could be. If I wanted to. For the right person.

“Of course.” Shaking my head, I hold up my free hand. “I’m talking as friends, nothing more. I just thought that you’d like to see the town, enjoy it a little while you’re here for work. And I—” I take a breath and almost don’t tell her. It’s probably too much. Probably not on the right side of friendship. But in the end, I say to hell with it. “I really like being around you.”

I stop short of qualifying it. Saying that I hope that’s not weird or anything. It’s not an overstatement. I’ve felt like this since that first night we met. Being around her, just sharing her space, makes me feel good.

And I’m going to go with that as far as she’ll let me. Sex or no sex.

Whoa, boy. That’s a lot.

“Oh.” Gia’s cheeks flush pink, then the color spreads down her neck. “That’s really nice of you to say, Henry. I might be up for a friendly tour.”

My whole body relaxes, and I hadn’t even realized it was tense. Her agreement has me grinning like a kid who just walked into a toy store with an unlimited amount to spend. She doesn’t say that she likes being around me too, but what the hell did I expect in that regard? “Yeah?”

“Yeah, I should have some free time this week or this upcoming weekend. I’m sure your schedule will probably be a little trickier than mine to work with.”

True that. “I’m actually finalizing the hiring process for my first employee by the end of the week, so this weekend would work just fine.” Just saying it out loud has me floating on up to cloud nine.

“Okay. Friends don’t kiss.” She blurts out the second part, and I can’t help but smile.

“No, friends don’t kiss.” As much as I enjoy kissing her, she’s right. “It’s a plan, then. I’ve still got your number, so once I’ve got a good idea on the day and time, I’ll let you know.” I almost say it’s a date but stop short. I don’t want her thinking that this is some elaborate plan to get with her in that way again.

It’s not. Not really at all. I just want to hang out with her. Get to know her a little more. Enjoy her in the way that I can.

As much as she’ll let me, I want to be in her life.

I couldn’t be happier. Couldn’t be more excited. I swear, everything has gone perfectly since the last time I saw Gia. I’ve got Lainey onboarded and ready to start working with me on Monday. We actually came to an agreement that has me even more revved up about my business than I ever thought I could be.

If things work out, he could end up being a partner, and that makes it feel incredibly real.

And I’m on my way to pick Gia up for our friend date. That’s what I’ve decided to officially call this.

Pulling up to the front of the bed and breakfast, I throw my truck into park and hop out. By the time I make it around to the other side, Gia is already stepping out from the wrought-iron gate and walking toward me. She’s wearing dark jeans with a black fuzzy North Face and has a smile on her face.

Just seeing her takes my mood higher, and that’s saying something because I’m already in a great fucking mood.

“Hey there.” I pull open the passenger side door for her and glance to her feet. “I’m glad you wore the sneakers I recommended.”

“Hi! Yeah, I figured I’d put them to good use. I don’t get to wear jeans and sneakers as often as I’d like. That, and I figured if you mentioned it, it was a good idea.”

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