Page 15 of One Southern Summer

Now was the ideal time to make his exit. Maribelle’s presence at the table tonight jolted him back to reality, reminding him this was anything but a casual meal between childhood friends. She had bribed him. Plain and simple. If Avery found out, their friendship would end before he even had a chance to rekindle a spark.

He’d meant what he’d said on the porch earlier. Avery might be struggling now, but she had a natural gift for design. Raw talent that Maribelle and everyone else in her life clearly recognized. She just needed the right opportunity to showcase her strengths. The expansion at Imari’s Place was the ideal project for her. Besides, if he returned the money to Maribelle, the foundation wouldn’t have sufficient funds to expand and he’d have to turn away young vulnerable women.

Except he couldn’t leave without an answer from Avery about his job offer.

Avery’s mother stood. “I’ll start the coffee maker.”

“Coffee? You can’t drink coffee before bed.” Addison’s spunky observation drew another round of laughter. Even Cole smiled. She was a carbon copy of her mother.

Avery reached over and smoothed the little girl’s hair from her forehead. “Don’t worry, baby. We’ll drink decaf. Speaking of bedtime, we need to start your bath soon.”

“No way.” Addison pushed out her lower lip. “It’s too early for bed, Mama.”

Avery tipped her head to one side, her smile still in place. “It’s not too early for you, sweet girl.”

Cole’s heart squeezed. Her patience and attentiveness impressed him.

“Can I have a little taste of ice cream? Just a teeny tiny taste?” Addison scrunched up her face then pinched her thumb and first finger together.

How to resist that? Cole was glad he didn’t have to be the enforcer. He’d be putty in Addison’s hands, just like he couldn’t say no to Maribelle.

“You may have a teeny tiny taste of vanilla ice cream.” Avery mimicked her daughter’s hand gesture and higher pitched voice. Addison grinned then shot a glance around the table as if she secretly knew attention was directed at her.

“How are things at Imari’s Place?” Greer asked as he helped clear the serving dishes and platters from the table.

Cole’s stomach clenched. He stole a glance at Maribelle.

Please, please not a word, he silently pleaded. He’d about died when Maribelle arrived in time for supper. Her appearance almost made him bail on the whole evening. Almost.

He smoothed his fingertips along his jaw, carefully measuring his response. “Things are good. Really good. The board of directors approved an expansion and we plan to break ground next week. Hopefully Avery will consult with us regarding interior design of the home.”

Avery slid her hand over the sea green place mat in front of her, brushing away crumbs. Or plotting her own exit strategy.

“You’d be perfect for that job, darling,” Maribelle chimed in.

Oh, boy. Cole shifted in his chair. See? That’s why he’d sidestepped the topic. Greer had initiated polite conversation, but this was dangerous territory.

Avery reached for her water glass. “I appreciate your vote of confidence, Nana.”

Cole resisted the urge to lean forward, eager to hear her response. What if she said yes?

Although he couldn’t blame her for saying no. She had a baby and a four-year-old. Moving back to her hometown as a single mom probably wasn’t her dream for her future. With her life at a crossroads, she had plenty of reasons to decline. Yet against his better judgment he found himself hoping she’d say yes.

They weren’t sixteen anymore. He’d find a way to work with her and keep their interactions professional. They were friends. Two friends who’d made an impulsive promise to bail each other out after they’d exhausted all their other options.

Except he didn’t want to be Avery’s last resort. He’d wanted to be her first choice and she had chosen Pax.

Greer and Julene carried cups, saucers and a carafe in from the kitchen while her mother delivered peach cobbler topped with generous scoops of vanilla ice cream.

“Here you are.” Mrs. Huntington set a plate in front of Cole. Ice cream ran in creamy rivers off the top of the peach cobbler.

“Thank you.” He sliced his fork through the dense dessert then took a bite, enjoying the sugary explosion in his mouth. Despite his thoughts and intentions battling against each other, part of him loved being back with these people who used to feel like his second family.

After his sister was gone and his parents divorced, Cole spent countless hours with Avery at her family’s old place on Crabtree Lane. This gorgeous lakefront home was the opposite of the shabby rambler in one of Camellia’s working-class neighborhoods. He surveyed the massive trestle table with more than enough room for all of them, fresh flowers and candles in the center and a stunning view of the lake through the broad expanse of windows. What a relief to see Avery’s mama so happy and content. Greer had given her a second chance she’d so desperately deserved.

Spoons clinked against china as creamer and sugar were stirred into the coffee. Conversation ebbed and flowed while they ate their dessert. Cole half listened as Julene and Greer talked about the local festival coming up, the minor league baseball team’s winning record and Greer’s plans to take a client out on his boat the following day.

Cole scraped the remaining pool of ice cream from his plate then glanced at Avery. He didn’t have kids or nieces or nephews, but he knew from hanging out with his friends that bedtime was a lengthy production. She wasn’t required to give him an answer tonight but if she said no, he’d have to find other candidates quickly.

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