Page 58 of One Southern Summer

“Is it that obvious?” She barely choked out the whispered words.

Harper nodded.

“To who?” She shook her head at her own inane question. “I mean, who else knows? Or can tell? Or whatever?”

“Well, anyone who has access to this picture now or spends five minutes with the two of you.” Harper dropped her phone in her lap. “The question is, what are you going to do about it?”

Hayes’s eyes opened and he blinked against the morning sunlight then started to fuss. “I’m going to take things one step at a time. First, I’m going to get the kids dressed, then I’m going to get ready and then we’re going to church. You’re welcome to join us.”

Harper gave her the side-eye. “Seriously?”

“Seriously.” Avery lifted Hayes to her shoulder and pressed a gentle kiss to his smooth cheek. She wouldn’t be so foolish as to step foot inside The Oasis. That was only asking for a drama-filled encounter she didn’t possess the strength to navigate. No, she’d find a more traditional service, something with a nursery and a preschool class, and a pew in the balcony where she could worship without dozens of prying eyes tracking her every move.

“Go big or go home, right?” Hemby grinned and clapped him on the shoulder. “I never thought I’d see the day when you’d go public with your relationship on a national news broadcast.”

“I didn’t go public with anything and we’re not in a relationship.” Cole glared at Hemby then tugged at the tie knotted at his throat. It wasn’t really all that hot or humid out yet, but his body felt like it was over a hundred degrees already. He’d been a fool to put on this suit and an even bigger fool for stopping to speak to his friend after church. Maybe he should’ve stayed home altogether.

Folks were being polite, but they weren’t shy about staring. Not a single person had offered any empathy or compassion, either. Least of all his best friend.

Hemby jammed his hands in the pockets of his linen trousers. “What did Avery have to say about the morning news?”

Cole lifted one shoulder. “Don’t know. We haven’t spoken.”

Hemby tipped his head toward the church entrance behind them. “Well, now’s your opportunity.”

Irritation prowled through his insides like a hungry mountain lion. “C’mon, man. Don’t do me that way.”

“I’m serious.” Hemby tipped his chin up. “Turn around.”

Cole hesitated. His irritation morphed into nervousness. This feeling arcing and twisting in his gut was worse than waiting for his bar exam results. He wasn’t ready to speak to Avery. Not yet.

A rivulet of sweat trickled down his spine. He forced himself to turn around. All coherent thought evaporated as she walked toward him. She wore a simple blue dress with a square neckline and a knee-length skirt. A diaper bag dangled from one shoulder and she carried Hayes, wedged on her opposite hip. Greer hovered at her side, his eyes crinkling as he glanced down at her and smiled. She laughed and his gut clenched.

Man, he wanted so badly to be the person escorting her and her children out of church. Making plans. Trading inside jokes. Looking forward to a leisurely Sunday afternoon together.

Sure, he’d had that same thought countless times. But today he needed to know for certain that she was okay. And he needed her to know he wasn’t responsible for what was broadcasted on television and shared on the internet this morning.

Harper had her phone pressed to her ear and she gestured with one hand as she spoke, trailing behind her family. Mrs. Huntington walked beside Avery, holding Addison’s hand. Addison’s curls were tamed into two pigtails and her sleeveless pink dress flared out at the waist. She saw him first.

“Mr. Cole!” Addison tugged her hand free from her grandmother’s and ran toward him.

“Now’s your time to be the hero, buddy.” Hemby clapped him on the shoulder. “I’ll catch up with you later.”

Before Cole could ask him to clarify what he meant by hero, Hemby was cutting long strides across the parking lot toward the lawn where his wife and kids chatted with friends in front of the church.

“Mr. Cole, what are you doing here?” Addison demanded, staring up at him, one hand propped on her hip while the other waved a piece of paper in the air.

“Hey, Addison.” Cole sank to the ground to meet her at eye level, grateful for her enthusiasm to distract him from his own thoughts. “My family goes to church here too.”

“Oh.” She quirked her little mouth to one side then thrust her artwork toward him. “Look what I made.”

He took the paper and eyed the mosaic cross she’d pieced together from small squares of brightly colored paper. “Wow, that’s beautiful. Did you make this all by yourself?”

She took it from his hands. “I had some help with the glue part.”

Cole chuckled then met Avery’s gaze. “Good morning.”

Oy. Why did he have to sound so awkward?

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