Page 18 of Fall at Once

“Toodaloo.” She waggled her fingers at me before slugging Tate’s shoulder. “Let’s get down to business.” I overheard. “We have plans to make. He’s grumpy, but he’s the only single guy in this town I’d trust with Madi, and she needs to move on from her dickhead ex.”

I grabbed my smoothie and spun toward the door, thinking I might continue my run when I was finished. All I knew was I had to get away from all these nutcases.

The fresh air felt good as I sat at one of the outdoor tables, frowning when my text notification pinged with an incoming message.

TATE: Don’t worry. Kenzie went back to work. I told her I was not planning anything behind your back. We’re too old for this ridiculous high school bullshit. Madi is a sweet girl, though. Maybe you should think about it.

I didn’t bother to reply. But I did manage to relax a bit.

He knew better. Yeah, he’d keep giving me crap, but there wasno way he’d let Kenzie get out of control and meddle in my personal life, and I didn’t honestly think she would get that carried away, at least not in a harmful way.

I would be fine, totally fine.

Totally fucking fine.

I snagged a table and mindlessly scrolled through my phone while I finished my smoothie. I avoided the eyes of the local passersby; I was in no mood to talk to anyone. Then, I tossed my cup into the trash and headed toward the station. Although I was off today, I often checked in after my workouts.

I heard a slam and a stream of creative cursing as I approached the alleyway behind Gigi’s.

Was that Madi?

“Is everything okay back there?” I called out. “It’s Cole!”

Never sneak up on a woman.That was one of the many pearls of wisdom my father had doled out to us boys over the years.

I rounded the corner and stepped into a cloud of white dust.

Was that flour?

Madi turned blindly in my direction, her lips pursed as she blew a breath, and a poof of flour hit me in the chest.

“Oh shit. Are you hurt? Let me help.”

“I’m not hurt. I spilled a huge flour bin in the kitchen, and it got all over me. I swept it all up, and then the bag split when I dropped it in the can. I should have let Kenzie take care of it like she offered.” She laughed and wiped her face with the clean underside of her apron. “This flour is a metaphor for my life. I swear it is. Messy, flying in a million different directions, unsettled,just like me. Never mind. Is it in my hair?” She patted the top of her head. “It is. Isn’t it?”

I stifled a laugh as a tiny cloud floated out of her bun. “Uh, pretty much. It’s in your eyelashes, too. Let me help.” I closed the distance between us and reached out to tuck an errant strand of hair behind her ear. I zeroed in on her face. Flour was everywhere.

With a light touch, I ran a finger down the slope of her nose, the dip of her chin. I brushed the flour from her cheeks with my thumbs, all the while holding my breath, not quite believing I was this close to her.

“Hold still. Close your eyes.” I blew gently against her face to get the rest off. “There you go.”

Rapidly blinking, pretty brown eyes met mine, and I cleared my throat and stepped back. I had to. All I wanted wasmorewhen it came to her.

“Thanks.” There was laughter in her voice, though I could tell she was embarrassed. “There you go, rescuing me again. Is this our thing now?”

I shook my head, unsure how to answer. “If you grab the broom, I’ll help you get this cleaned up.”

She sighed as her cheeks turned pink beneath the light dusting of remaining flour. “Fair warning, Cole, I’m a lot. It’s been what? Twenty minutes tops since I officially started working, and I’ve already made a mess. I’m a human calamity. A walking disaster.”

“No, you’re fine. Let me help.”

She ran a hand down her apron, brushing off some of the flour to create a powdery white storm between us. “Take the side ofthe road yesterday, for example. I should have known better than attempting to drive up here in that car. Then, let’s see, last month, I locked myself out of my apartment, wearing only my bathrobe, I might add. Then, I had to wait in the hall for my mother to show up with the extra key. That was fun. I’ve been in too many precarious hiking situations to count, so I’ve given up the hobby. I’ve been banned from the gym in my apartment building—treadmills and I do not get along. You know what? I’ll stop talking now. Explanations will not be necessary. I’ll be in town for the next four to six weeks, or however long it takes for Gigi’s ankle to heal. You’ll find out for yourself, and I apologize in advance for whatever’s gonna go down. You’re a firefighter; I can guarantee there will be at least one call while I’m here that involves something I’ve done. You can ask Gigi all about it?—”

“Nah, I don’t need to ask her. I’ve heard a few things throughout the years.” I was teasing her to lighten her mood. But the look on her face gave me pause. I’d put my foot in my mouth and felt terrible.

“So, you already know what a mess I am. That’s good, no surprises.” She cringed. “I’m already mortified, and it’s only my first full day here. I’m so sorry.” Her voice sounded a long way off. It was small. She was embarrassed, and I hated that I was partially the cause of it.

“No worries, okay? Any time I run into you, it makes my day. I mean it. I’m sorry I embarrassed you. That was not my intention.”

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