Page 58 of The Charm of You

Matilda pops up next to her, wearing a matching apron around her waist and a shit-eating grin on her face. “Rumor mill says you’re driving Caroline Summers in the parade this Friday.”

“Actually, the rumor mill says you’re doing a lot more than that.” Scarlett wiggles her eyebrows.

These two twentysomethings really need a life.

“Are you two even old enough to listen to the rumor mill?” I toss back.

They wave their hands in sync, undeterred by the warning glare I shoot them. I’m starting to think my glare is not as effective as it once was; no one seems to buy it lately.

“What is going on between you and Caroline?” Scarlett unabashedly pries.

“I heard you two went to high school together, but she didn’t recognize you when she got back to town,” Matilda interrupts, not that I was going to answer Tweedle Dee’s question. “I also heard she didn’t remember you because you dropped out of school and ran away to Colorado, where you eloped with a ski instructor.”

They both check my left hand like they’re looking for a ring, and I’ve officially lost any patience for this obnoxious show.

“Nope.” I shake my head.

“No to which part?” Scarlett places a hand on her hip.

“All of it—and all of this.” I point between them.

Cole finally butts in. “Don’t you two have tables to tend to? If Kenny finds you gossiping again, he might make good on his word and trap you in the kitchen to help Roger.”

They share a grimace. “He always smells like moldy mushrooms,” Scarlett says.

“I’d quit before working back there. It’s like a dungeon,” Matilda says.

“Mushrooms are just a different kind of mold,” I inform them.

With a parting “ew” from both of them, I shift in my seat, glad to finally be free of their scrutiny. They were like bloodhounds after a dead animal.

“Those two spend way too much time together.” Cole chuckles.

“What was with the Mr. Homecoming crack?”

“I think it’s because Caroline was the homecoming queen, and you two have been seen together a lot over the last few days. It’s interesting, really, that she’s the person you spend most of your time with anymore. I’m not one to speculate, but…”

“Out with it, Rivers.” I scowl.

“What’s going on between you and Caroline?” he asks with much of the same enthusiasm Scarlett had. “There has to be something. You’ve never spent that much time with a woman aside from your mother.”

“What the fuck?” I catch the attention of the tables next to us. I offer apologies, then turn back to my so-called friend as Scarlett drops off two beers for us and scurries away.

With the coast clear, Cole asks, “What happened to Keely?”

A lot has changed since he and I last got together. Karaoke night was a little too busy to play catch up, but it wouldn’t have mattered. My life has been turned upside down since then.

“Keely ended things last week,” I say.

“I figured, given she was here last weekend with Tanner. Besides, I’m not surprised.” He shrugs.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You two weren’t really together, nor did you ever have any intention of dating her, so I’m not surprised she finally decided to move on,” he says matter-of-factly.

He makes me sound like an asshole who led her on, and it sends a fiery rage through my stomach.

“She and I both agreed to keep things casual. Dating was never on the table for either of us. It’s not like I hurt her,” I insist.

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