Page 23 of 4 Hints You Love Your Best Friend

Just. Just. Just.

Maybe I’ll have that written on my tombstone.

Larkin picks up the New York snow globe from my desk and gives it a shake. Cal bought me the globe when I was sick and had to miss a family trip to the Big Apple. I stayed home at my aunt’s instead, sad and frustrated. But Cal surprised me with the globe and baked a batch of salted pretzels, because I’d been looking forward to trying those from street vendors. The pretzels were horrible, but I ate every bite.

I ate up every ounce of affection from Cal, then and now.

Larkin watches the fake snow fall, an intense expression clouding her eyes. “If Cal’s anything like his asshole oldest brother, probably best to dodge that bullet anyway.”

Defensiveness rises in me. Jake has been making overtures since his return. I have no interest in revisiting that relationship, but he’s a sweet man I cared deeply about. “All the Bowers are good guys, including Jake.”

“Nothing about Jake Bower is good,” she all but spits.

Okay, then… “I thought nothing happened between you two.”

“Nothing did happen,” she says vehemently. “I swear. But he made me a promise that night, which he broke. And—” Her throat works, several rough swallows as she pulls herself together. “Let’s just say I hope I don’t see much of him when I move back.”

“Good luck in this minuscule town,” I mumble, still horrified she ferreted out my true Cal feelings in a matter of seconds. At least I didn’t admit the truth, but what if other folks read me as easily as Larkin and sense how much I like him? What if a nosy gossip-spreader says something to Cal and he starts stonewalling me again? As hard as some days are, wanting a man who doesn’t want me back, losing him again would be unbearable.

Less time with him for a bit is what I need. The past week has worsened my Callahan Bower addiction. Detox is necessary. A stretch of time when his disarming smile and rumbly laugh aren’t nearby. Then I’ll see him in measured doses until I quit fantasizing about feeling his wide mouth slanting over mine.

chapterten

Callahan

I’m back at the Barrel House, the scene of my last crime—enjoying Jolene so much I forgot my brother was in love with her. My stomach simultaneously grumbles and dips.

After working all day with Jake on the Rosen kitchen reno, I zipped over to the Liangs’ and dug the holes for their fence posts. Dinner got forgotten. My family meeting about Mom starts in precisely two minutes. While I’m eager to plan her return to Windfall, I’m both hungry and apprehensive about seeing Jolene at her bar again. I’ve had two days to obsess over my heart’s synchronized reaction to her. My deduction: I got carried away. A man doesn’t share a heartbeat with a woman after hanging out a few times. It had simply been so long since I’d had easy fun with someone, and my natural banter with Jo turned my brain fuzzy.

Seeing her again will be absolutely fine. We’ll be nothing but casual friends who used to know every detail about each other. A friend I’ll help out from the sidelines as I’ve always done.

With one minute left to spare, I hop out of my truck and strut inside.

Instinctively, my eyes zip to the bar. I don’t see Jolene. As per recent reconnaissance, trying to figure out why she’s stressed about work, Sandra learned Jo works Tuesdays through Sundays. Monday is her only day off. I also know she acts as her own bouncer, tactfully escorting drunk customers out when they’ve had one too many. She runs a monthly prank contest with her staff to make work fun. Neither Sandra nor I have figured out why Jo has been frustrated with the bar, but I’ve learned her schedule. If she’s not on the floor, she must be working in the back.

My four brothers are gathered around a table, talking together and grinning. Except Desmond. He only smiles around Sadie and Max and generally prefers grunts. When he spots me, he points to the empty seat between him and Jake. At least I’m not sitting next to Lennon or E, who would no doubt get up in my business.

One second after I join them, Jake scowls at me. “You look exhausted.”

“I’m fine.” But my stomach grumbles loudly.

Sighing, he gestures at my traitorous midsection. “You haven’t eaten.”

“I was busy.”

“Honest to God,” he mumbles, while waving to get a server’s attention. “Is this what happens when you live alone? You don’t eat or sleep? You need to take better care of yourself.”

“Give it a rest, Jake,” Desmond says, looking as pissed off as usual. “Cal can handle himself.”

“Yeah,” Lennon tells Jake, but his mirth suggests he’s about to get snarky. “You’re just upset your little boy’s all grown up and living out of the nest.”

E snorts out a laugh. Jake lifts his middle finger.

A waitress comes to our table and does a not-so-subtle perusal of our group. “The crew all agrees that having the Bowers back in Windfall is a boon for the town. You’ve improved the views considerably.”

The other servers are openly ogling our table, causing my brothers to lift their square chins and puff up their broad chests. The server’s open appreciation lands on me, and I shift uncomfortably. From my recent recon efforts to understand Jolene’s work woes, I’ve done a thorough analysis of her employees. This woman is Sue-Ann Hinkley. She recently moved to Windfall, owns a cute golden retriever named Sam, and raised no red flags.

I take in her soft curves, displayed in a jean skirt and fitted T-shirt. She has long blond hair plaited in braids. Her dusting of freckles is sweet and attractive. I wait for my body to respond. To show a hint of interest, but it’s like the power to my libido’s been shut off.

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