Page 56 of One Southern Summer

He stared at her and let the silence grow uncomfortable. There was so much more he wanted to say. Since he felt at least partially responsible for her current emotional state, he acquiesced with a nod.

He rolled up the blueprints and tucked them under his arm. With a lantern in each hand, he followed her outside into the warm muggy air. A subtle breeze whispered through the magnolias. The gray car with its mysterious intruder was long gone.

Avery strode toward her vehicle, keys jangling. She opened the door and shoved the food and the drinks inside. Cole added the lanterns. She slammed the door then circled around to the driver’s side without looking at him.

“Avery, I—”

She held up her hand. “Don’t worry about it.”

He grabbed the edge of the door and clung to it while she climbed behind the wheel. “I am worried. I don’t want to fight with you.”

Her blue eyes still glittered with irritation as they met his. The last light of the day bathed her skin in a cotton candy pink. “We’re not fighting, Cole.” Her stiff smile said otherwise.

She tugged the door from his grasp. “See you around.”

“Yeah, see you around,” he said softly as she started her car then circled the cul-de-sac and drove away. He stood there for a long time, replaying their interaction. Memorizing the sensation of her silky hair twined through his fingertips. For one fantastic instant, he’d believed that she could be his. He’d been so close.

And that was a dilemma that wouldn’t vanish like an unwanted visitor. Because he’d never be able to forget the way his heart hammered against his ribs, or the way her chin tipped up, with her eyelashes fluttering against her creamy skin. Almost like she wanted him to kiss her.

No, he wouldn’t be able to forget any of that. Now he only wanted her more.

Chapter Ten

He’d almost kissed her.

And she would’ve kissed him right back.

Oh, she’d love to pretend that she would’ve had the self-control to step away, but in her heart of hearts, she was certain that wasn’t true. When Cole’s eyes had dipped to her lips and he’d leaned in, she’d responded by tipping her chin up and fluttering her lashes like a modern-day Scarlett O’Hara.

Avery sat on the screened porch with Hayes nestled in the crook of her arm. He’d fallen back to sleep after she’d fed him. Her chair squeaked as she rocked and savored her morning coffee. Addison still hadn’t climbed out of bed yet, which provided Avery with ample opportunity to ponder last night’s encounter with Cole. The intruder peeping in with his camera and snapping her picture had rattled her. But it was her exchange with Cole that had far greater impact.

Did she want to be single forever? Of course not. She had come home to rebuild her life and lean on her family for support. Starting a romantic relationship with one of her most cherished friends had never been on her radar.

The door slid open and Harper poked her head out. “Sorry to interrupt your peaceful morning. You’d better come in here.”

Goose bumps pebbled her skin. Oh, no. She stood slowly, her mind already spooling through worst-case scenarios. Had Addison sneaked out of bed and tried to make her own pancakes? Did someone get through the gate and come to the front door unnoticed? Were they demanding an interview?

That’s a bit of a stretch, isn’t it?The more logical side of her brain stepped in and tried to take charge, like a principal in a classroom full of unruly students.

The pungent aroma of coffee filled her nostrils as she stepped into the kitchen. Harper must’ve started another pot because a steaming mug sat on the counter.

Harper twisted her hair in a messy bun and secured it with an elastic band. She wore a cotton floral robe over her matching pink pajama set. She grabbed her coffee then gestured toward the flat-screen television mounted on the wall in the living room. “It’s a commercial break right now, but when they come back on the air they said they’re going to feature you in their pop culture corner.”

Avery swayed back and forth, Hayes still asleep in her arms. Her sister might as well have been speaking another language. “Who’s featuring me? Harper, what’s going on?”

Harper’s sleepy eyes filled with confusion. “Don’t you watch morning television?”

“Not anymore.” She glanced down at the child asleep in her arms then met Harper’s puzzled gaze. “If we have the TV on in the mornings Addison usually picks what we watch.”

It was true. She hadn’t been in charge of the remote since, well, probably since she and Pax bingedBreaking Bad.

“You need to see what they’re talking about so you’ll know how to respond.” Harper sat down on the sofa and blew on the coffee in her mug.

Respond towho?

Avery skirted the end of the sofa, her legs quaking, and perched on the cushions beside her sister. Hayes stirred in her arms and she patted his back, making soft shushing sounds. His perfect little lips hung open and he stretched one arm over his head then clenched a tiny fist.

Adrenaline pulsed through her veins as the commercial on TV ended. Although she hadn’t watched morning television in ages, the weekend anchors sitting behind their sleek desk hadn’t changed. An orange and blue icon filled the screen, teasing their pop culture corner. And there above the splashy graphic was a picture of her and Cole. Last night. Her mouth went dry.

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