Page 57 of One Southern Summer

The photographer had captured a compelling profile shot. Probably that gazillion-dollar lens he’d angled through the cutout for the future living room window. She and Cole stood face-to-face next to that makeshift table. His palm hovered next to her cheek, and she looked at him like he was the greatest thing since sliced bread. Her skin tingled at the memory of his touch.

A savvy intern had done their homework. Thankfully the broadcaster stuck to the facts. Still she leaned forward, forcing herself to breathe against the tightness constricting her chest.

Blood roared in her ears as he mentioned Cole, the name of the foundation and referred to Camellia as their hometown.

Harper leaned over and pressed her cool fingers to Avery’s arm.

The host straightened his stack of notecards with an efficient tap and offered a cheeky smile. “This photo begs the question, is Avery Lansing Crawford discreetly returning to the world of interior design and can we expect another reality TV show—perhaps with her new beau as her sidekick?”

“Okay, that’s enough.” Avery plucked the remote from the cushion between them and silenced the television.

Harper gave a weak smile over the rim of her mug. “Look on the bright side. Imari’s Place gets their fifteen minutes of fame.”

“That’s exactly why I’m worried.” Avery stood and paced the room, her hand automatically patting Hayes’s back again. More to soothe herself than anything else. “I knew I shouldn’t have stayed.”

“What do you mean?”

“Last night. We were supposed to be at Imari’s Place for an interview, except the women we were going to speak with stood us up. I’d brought food to share, and Cole had rolled out the architectural plans and we were just talking.”

“Then someone came out of nowhere and took your picture? Who was it?”

“I—I don’t know. Cole went to the doorway and looked, but the guy had a car waiting and he took off.”

“He must’ve acted quickly.” Harper set her mug down on the coffee table and pulled her phone from the pocket of her robe. Her eyes grew wider the more she scrolled.

Avery’s stomach churned. “What is it?”

“I have an alert set up so I can keep track of when your name is mentioned on social media. A little trick Julene taught me.”

Splendid. “W-what are people saying?”

“Well, the picture has already been posted online. Let’s focus on how you’re going to respond, now that this is out there. That’s really the only thing we can control.”

“I’m not going to do anything because nothing happened.”

“Nothing happened yet, you mean.” Harper frowned and glanced at her phone as it continued to ping with notifications.

“Cole and I have been friends for ages. Our relationship isn’t like...that. Why won’t you believe me?”

Harper heaved an exasperated sigh and looked heavenward. “Dear Lord, please don’t let today be the day I strangle my sister.”

“What? Why?”

“Because for someone who is so successful, you can be ridiculously myopic.”

“What does that mean?”

Harper lowered her voice and leaned close. “Cole is in love with you, Avery. He has been for years. I don’t know why you can’t see that.”

A heady mix of excitement washed through her, chased immediately by a fresh wave of fear. Something had shifted between them last night. She couldn’t deny that. But now they’d be the subject of endless speculation. All she wanted was an opportunity to live a quiet life, raise her kids and figure out how to co-parent effectively with Pax and Trey. It wasn’t fair dragging Cole and his foundation into this. His work was too important to be sullied by melodramatic gossip. Yes, maybe once a long time ago they’d teetered on the edge of dating, but they hadn’t. Then she’d been married for ten years and had never given her friendship with Cole much thought.

She sat back down beside Harper.

“Can I see the picture again?”

Harper hesitated then scrolled and swiped, before turning the device toward Avery.

She scanned the image. Warmth unfurled in her chest. If someone was going to take her picture without her permission then blast it all over the world, at least she was with Cole. He was kind and good and his expression looked so tender.

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