Page 19 of Fall at Once

“It’s okay. You didn’t embarrass me. I’m just perpetually embarrassed, and it’s not your fault.”

“Please don’t be embarrassed around me. I’ve been a spectacle before. My divorce and how it went down was fodder for local gossip for weeks. I know what it feels like to want to disappear; trust me. But, like my dad always says—shit happens, and it doesn’t discriminate. We’ve all been there. Let me help you clean up.”

Reaching out, I gently brushed flour from her cheek with the back of my hand, sucking in a huge breath to contain the temptation to pull her in for a hug. It seemed like she needed it. Vulnerability radiated from her like sunbeams. All I wanted was for her to feel better.

“You really are a sweet guy.” She breathed. “Just like Gigi said you were. And now you’re all floury, too. I am so sorry.”

“You apologize a lot. You don’t need to, not to me.”

“Well, I seem to feel sorry a lot.” She watched me through lowered lashes before casting her gaze off to the side. “I wish I didn’t.”

“You have nothing to apologize for. What’s a little flour between friends, right?”

“I guess so. I’m sor?—”

I quirked an eyebrow, and she laughed instead of finishing her apology.

“Good. Shit happens, don’t forget that.”

“I won’t forget. You’re right, nobody is perfect.”

“Say it so I know you believe it.”

Her eyes lit up with humor. “Shit happens.”

“Atta girl.” Now, let’s get this mess cleaned up. Point me to abroom.”

“Thanks, Cole.” She broke into a wide grin, momentarily disarming my resolve to keep her at a distance. Her lips were full—kissable, biteable, luscious—and I wanted them on mine.

She was too fucking tempting.

“You’re welcome,” I answered before following her to the supply area and taking the offered broom instead of sweeping her into my arms and kissing the hell out of her like I wanted.

Chapter 7

Madi

After spending a good couple of weeks in town, I couldn’t help but think I might have finally found my groove here. The Cozy Creek Confectionery was basically heaven on earth—from the customers to the coworkers—I loved everything about it.

I discovered that Gigi’s schedule was not a typical nine-to-five or five-to-lunch like Kenzie’s. She kept her own hours and told me I could do that, too. She had plenty of employees. What she wanted from me was someone trustworthy and responsible to ensure the place ran smoothly while she was incapacitated—she wanted the freedom to cut her day short or not come in at all. Popping in at odd hours, occasionally working the counter, and getting to know her employees would accomplish that.

She also encouraged me to sit with her and her friendswhenever they were at the shop for tea, scones, and chats about what was happening in Cozy Creek. They were amazing.

I drove Gigi’s old PT Cruiser to her house every day, bright and early, to take Basil on his morning walk. She’d let me borrow it since she couldn’t drive with her booted foot. My car was still in the shop. According to Quinn, the mechanic who was also Cole’s brother, the ignition coil needed to be replaced, and the part was on order.

Escorting Basil around the neighborhood and through the park had replaced my morning trek to work in Colorado Springs. I was making my own hours, making new friends, and having the time of my life.Ross who?

And it must be said, walking in Colorado Springs did not have the added benefit of Cole sightings or various other fire department members, either. Getting my steps in while enjoying the show they unwittingly put on was a bonus I hadn’t expected. Those guys liked to work out, and they gave the citizenry of Cozy Creek plenty to gawk at. How anyone got any work done here was miraculous, considering the many sexy distractions walking, jogging, or sprinting through town at any given moment. And don’t get me started on the stretching or pull-ups on the exercise equipment in the park.

I still wasn’t ready for dating, but nevertheless, I found myself primping in the mirror every morning before making my way to Gigi’s place to get Basil. My brand-new pale pink Lululemon set was the outfit of the day for this morning’s excursion. It was skin-tight and did amazing things to my boobs and booty.

I decided to forgo makeup this morning for a change, only adding a slick of pink lip gloss to match my outfit. I always showered after walking Basil, but applying makeup before and after walking him was getting old. I could admit I was high maintenance, but it was starting to get ridiculous, and I was over it. Pulling my hair into a high ponytail, I stuck my tongue out at my straightener.

I spun in front of the mirror to ensure the back looked as good as the front, smiling in anticipation when I imagined Cole’s reaction if I saw him. I liked how it felt when his eyes were on me. It felt like he really saw me, not like he was checking me out. He wasn’t winking or being flirtatious. He was paying attention and learning who I was; it was a heady feeling. I craved it.

I was playing a dangerous one-sided game, but I couldn’t find it in myself to care. Talking to him made me feel good. It gave me a lift I desperately needed after spending the last couple of years begging for scraps of affection from Ross. The trouble was that after each conversation Cole and I had, I liked him more, no matter how innocent it was.

Kenny wound through my feet as I contemplated my life choices in front of the mirror. He was a morning cat, always up at the crack of dawn. Victor and Sage were still sleeping on my bed. I could hear Victor snoring from there. “Hello, you.” I picked him up to cuddle him. “Don’t cause any trouble while I’m gone, you hear?”

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