As if he hadn’t woken up in her bed that morning, Heidi asked, “So you two know each other?”
Easily, trying to prove it didn’t matter, Colt said, “We dated in high school.”
“Ah. I thought something was there. I’m newer to town, so I had no idea. I’ve been here...what?”
Colt said, “Three years now.”
“That’s right.”
Cautiously, Charish reclaimed her seat—but she didn’t touch her food. “I appreciate the offer of help. Unfortunately, I’m on a really tight budget for a while.”
“I get it.” Heidi eyed Colt standing there. “Don’t you have a chair?”
“I did.” When she grinned at him, he laughed. “I’m fine here, and I was mostly done eating, so help yourself.”
“Already did.” Reverting back to the home décor topic, Heidi said, “I promise, the places I’m suggesting are perfect. Plus it’ll give us a chance to get to know each other more. Oh, I have a great idea!”
That was Heidi, always on Mach speed. When in bed, he appreciated all that over-the-top energy, but now? Charish looked like she’d been hit with a steamroller.
“Join us tomorrow night at Screwy Louie’s. It’ll be fantastic. Good weather, a great band, and incredible food.” As if imparting a secret, Heidi leaned forward. “I’ve won over a lot of clients who are relocating because of that diner.” Winking at Colt, she added, “His father is truly the barbecue master.”
Finally, Charish cracked a smile. “I was around when Violet dubbed him that. Definitely earned.”
“So say yes. We’ll have a wonderful time.”
Her gaze darted to Colt, then away. “I don’t want to intrude.”
Leaning in again, Heidi said, “I invited Dave Gamblin.” To Colt, she said, “He’s one of your friends, right?”
So Dave was to be her new conquest? He could see that. “He is.”
“Gorgeous,” Heidi proclaimed to Charish, then to Colt again, “But you didn’t hear it from me. I don’t want him to get cocky.”
Appreciating her tactic, Colt spelled it out—for Charish’s benefit. “So you and Dave, huh?”
Heidi popped another fry into her mouth. “I’m testing the waters, and I’d appreciate reinforcements. Say you’ll be there, both of you. Please?”
Damn, she really was special...as a friend. “I’m in.” Knowing it would put her on the spot, and appreciating the better odds, Colt asked, “Charish? How about it? It’ll give you a chance to let people know you’re back.”
Like a deer in the headlights, she said, “Um...”
“Convince her, Colt.”
Meeting Heidi’s gaze, Colt winked. “Leave it to me.”
“Perfect. Say six? I’ll see you both there.” A never-ending whirlwind, Heidi was already back on her feet, Colt’s milkshake still in her hand. “Until then, I’ll take a few pics of things I love, with prices, and send them along to you. I know when you see the rug I have in mind, you’ll insist on having it.” She glanced at Colt as she said to Charish, “I already have your number.”
Subtle, she was not, but Colt enjoyed her too much not to smile now that he knew he could get Charish’s number, too, if he wanted it.
Together, they walked Heidi to the door, then watched her cross the lawn in her high heels without faltering.
Standing behind Charish, Colt breathed in her scent. The urge to put his mouth to the back of her neck, to taste her satiny skin, nearly sidelined him.
He hadn’t been this drawn to a woman since...well, since Charish had left.
Annoyed with that realization, he headed for her TV. “You have cable turned on yet? I can get this hooked up for you.”
Standing at the open door, Charish faced him with one hand behind her on the doorknob. Sunlight framed her, stroking around those fuller curves, softening her expression.
Or maybe it was her attitude that had softened.
“Heidi is really nice.”
Sitting cross-legged on the floor, Colt paused with cords hanging loose in his hands. She’d sounded pleasant enough, but he picked up the serious undercurrents. “Like a friendly tornado blowing through, right?”
“You’ve known her long?”
“Since she moved here.” He draped a wrist over a bent knee and studied her. Carefully, he said, “She’s a friend, nothing more.”
“I didn’t ask.”
“I know.” And that bugged him, too, because he wanted to know everything about her.
Silence stretched out until she smiled slightly and closed the door. “You’ve been such a big help.”
He glanced around the room. “It really does look great.”
Without looking away from him, Charish said, “Heidi has a good eye.”
“For design?”
“For everything, apparently.”
Was that a compliment aimed at him? He wasn’t sure, so he let it go. “What else do you have to get done today?”
“Unpacking.” Heaving a sigh, she gestured at all the boxes. “Luckily I have them labeled so I know what I need right away.”
“Give me five minutes to finish this and I’ll help.”
“You’re staying?” Quickly she clarified, “I mean, still? You don’t have something more important to do?”
He wanted to do her. Maybe once he got his fill, he could get her out of his head and see her strictly as part of his past, instead of the one who got away.
While tackling the cords, he shook his head. “I left Diesel sleeping. Now that he’s older, he naps more.”
“Diesel is your only commitment?”
Finally, a little reciprocal interest. “Overall. I finished up a big job yesterday and don’t start on the next one till Monday, so I have a three-day weekend.” Her flat screen TV wouldn’t hang on the wall, but instead sat on a shelf, which made it easier to hide the cords.
“You’re a mechanical engineer?”
That had been his plan even back when they’d dated. “Yeah. I just oversaw some work in a new convention center in Columbus. Four floors means a lot of elevators and escalators, and all the mechanics to run them, not to mention the software and the—” Cutting himself off, he shook his head. “Boring stuff, right?”