Page 15 of Our Bay Will Come

"She's smart," I say finally. "Calls me on my shit. Makes me laugh. And she sees things—details most people miss."

"Sounds like my kind of woman," Cole jokes, then raises his hands in surrender when I glare at him. "Kidding! Jesus, you really are gone for her."

"I just like her, that's all." I turn back to the frame I'm working on. "But she lives in Seattle and has her business there. I'm here. It's complicated."

"Three hours," Rowan shrugs. "That's nothing."

"Says the guy whose girlfriend lives down the street," I counter.

"Fair point." He grabs another nail. "But Cilla told me Prue visits at least once a month. It has for years. Maybe more now that Cilla's moved here permanently."

I hadn't thought of that. The idea of seeing Prue once a month—it's not enough, but it's something.

"Besides," Cole adds, "you've got weekends. You're the boss, so take a Friday off sometimes. Drive up to see her."

"You two are awfully invested in my love life all of a sudden," I mutter.

"Because you have one now," Rowan says, his tone gentler. "Look, Fox, we've been worried about you. Since Sarah?—"

"Don't," I cut him off. "That was years ago."

"And you haven't let anyone close since," he continues, undeterred. "If Prue's got you checking your phone every fiveminutes and smiling like an idiot, she's special. Don't blow it because you're scared."

"I'm not scared," I say automatically, though we all know it's a lie.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I fight the urge to grab it immediately. Cole and Rowan exchange knowing looks.

"Go ahead," Cole says, gesturing toward my pocket. "We know you're dying to check it."

I try to look annoyed as I pull out my phone, but the annoyance fades as soon as I see her name.

Prue: Client just left. They went with the herringbone, exactly like I predicted. Sometimes, I think I should charge extra for being right.

I can't help the smile that spreads across my face.

"See?" Rowan says, pointing at me. "That look right there. That's how I knew Cilla was the one."

"The one?" I echo the phrase, setting off alarm bells. "It's been a week, man."

"Sometimes you just know," he shrugs.

Cole makes a gagging sound. "When did you two become such saps? Next, you'll pick out china patterns and name your future children."

But I'm barely listening, my thumb hovering over the screen as I compose a reply.

Me: You should definitely charge more. Expertise like that doesn't come cheap.

Her response is immediate.

Prue: Flattery will get you everywhere, Carmichael.

"Earth to Fox," Cole says, waving a hand before my face. "We've still got a wall to finish before quitting time."

I pocket my phone reluctantly. "Right. Sorry."

"Don't be sorry," Rowan says, handing me a level. "Be happy. It looks good on you."

Three hours later, we've finished framing the north wall and called it a day. The sun sets over the bay, casting long shadows across the construction site as we pack our tools.

---