“Takes you back, right?”
Back to the days when he’d worked at the diner and she’d hang out with their friends, catching him on his breaks, sneaking off to make out... “Yes.” That squeaky voice wouldn’t do, so she took another bite to keep herself from saying anything more.
Sitting opposite her, Colt started on his own food, but his eyes stayed on her. It was too silent, wearing on her nerves, ramping up her tension. Tugging her phone from her pocket, she pulled up a playlist.
By some twist of fate, the first song was “Chicken Fried” by the Zac Brown Band...just like the T-shirt Colt wore.
He lifted a brow. “I see you still have good taste in music.”
“Of course.” Feeling a little more at ease with the music between them, she asked, “Are the Drunken Monkeys still a thing?”
“Hell, yeah. They play every Saturday night at the diner. Usually outside in the summer months, but upstairs when the weather isn’t as nice.”
Liking the way he relaxed in his chair, his long legs out, forearm resting on the table, Charish asked, “You do any more performances?”
Humor put a devil’s glint in his eyes. “No, so don’t get any ideas.”
Too late. Her thoughts had already traveled back in time to when the local guys had put on a “ladies’ night” to go down in the history books. Shirtless, wearing cowboy hats, they’d performed a line dance on the stage that had everyone at the diner whooping, encouraging, and egging them on.
More so than the other men, Colt had enjoyed himself. Pretty sure that was when she truly fell in love.
“That’s the night Dad proposed to Violet.”
That grin of his made her feel too many things. It was boyish, charming, and oh-so-compelling. She had to remember that he wasn’t a boy anymore, and his charm should have been wasted on her.
“It was special.” It took effort, but she managed to concentrate on her food instead of gazing at him. “All the same guys in the band?” Since they were local, she’d known most of them. The sheriff, Nathan Hawley, was the lead singer. That prompted another quick question. “Nathan is still sheriff?”
Almost like a challenge, Colt said, “Things in Clearbrook don’t change. You know that.”
And just like that, the easy smile was gone, replaced by cynicism. Because she’d been forced to leave? He couldn’t know it, but everything in her world had changed in such a life-altering way.
Could she recapture any of it?
Not Colt, she didn’t delude herself on that. As a grown man, his youthful infatuation wouldn’t exist anymore.
It was the sense of belonging, the contentment, and a foundation for a real home that she was after. With her mother happily settled, she wanted that for herself so badly. Peace of mind. Direction.
Expression unreadable, Colt sat back in his chair. “Charish—”
A knock sounded on her front door.
They stared at each other, the connection almost tactile and very unsettling, at least to her.
To escape the room and the things he still made her feel, she hurried from her seat. Her heart continued to hammer, leaving her breathless. Aware of Colt following, she went to the door, pulled it open...and there stood Heidi Ellard. Her neighbor. Her Realtor.
Colt’s lover.
God, it needed only this.
* * *
AWARE OF BOTH women eyeing each other, Colt worked up a smile. “Heidi,” he said evenly enough. “How’d the meeting go?”
Blue eyes going from one to the other, Heidi took in the situation and, as always, handled it with flair. “You make an amazing welcoming committee, Colt. I’m glad you’re here. Could you get that big plant from my back seat?”
Glancing out the door past her, he saw her car in her own driveway, the back door open. “Sure. Where do you want it?”
“On the porch, of course.” Turning to Charish, Heidi beamed. “It’s a housewarming gift, since you not only paid my commission, but we’re now neighbors.”
Smile strained, Charish said, “That’s so kind of you. Thank you.” Glancing at the empty porch, she added, “A little color will liven it up out there.”
“Oh my, look how much you’ve gotten done already.” Shooing Colt on his way, Heidi took in the furniture, the boxes, and the windows that still needed blinds or drapes.
Colt didn’t want to, but he headed out to Heidi’s driveway, jogging so he didn’t leave them alone too long. It wasn’t that he thought there might be drama. That wasn’t Heidi’s style or, if she hadn’t drastically changed, Charish’s either.
It helped that Heidi wasn’t the least bit territorial. If she had been, he wouldn’t have stayed the night with her.
That didn’t mean he wanted to be in the dark about whatever they discussed. How friendly were they anyway? Would Heidi be hanging out with Charish a lot? They’d be neighbors, they were close in age...
Given the things he’d already been thinking about Charish, it could get tricky, especially if she made too much of his relationship with Heidi. He hefted out the gigantic decorative pot overflowing with vines and colorful flowers.
It weighed a ton.
As he set it on the porch, he heard Heidi saying, “If I might make a few suggestions?” and then she took over, directing Colt on where to move the couch, how to situate the chair and the tables, then stepped back with satisfaction. “There. Isn’t that nice? The room feels even bigger.”
“Amazing.” Charish looked around in awe. “I just assumed the couch had to go against a wall, but this is so much better. It creates an entry, and yes, the room feels bigger.”
While he waited for the next direction, Colt watched them interact.
“You have artwork for the walls?” Heidi asked her.
“Not yet.”
“Perfect! I know just the place. Everything is discounted but unique and I can already envision the pieces that will pull this all together. Oh, and you’ll need an area rug. I can help with that, too. Do I smell food?” Nose in the air, Heidi headed for the kitchen.
Charish blinked at Colt, clearly frazzled by Heidi’s fast-track mind.
When he’d first met Heidi, he’d had the same reaction, so he understood. “Come on.” Hand open on the small of her back, he absorbed Charish’s warmth as he urged her after Heidi.
Eyeing the food, Heidi asked Colt, “Which one is yours?”
He pointed, and she immediately took his seat, stealing the rest of his fries and helping herself to his chocolate shake.