Chapter 16
Gavin
When I woke up earlier than usual, there was more optimism buzzing through me than I’d felt in months. I wasn’t sure if it had to do with finally being able to write again or because of what had happened at Cole’s house the night before.
I’d gone to the tree lighting knowing it was likely I’d see him there.
I had just figured it would be like the last two times he’d been at the inn where we were polite and professional or we didn’t say more than a quick hello.
I sure as hell hadn’t expected to end up back at his place, kissing him like I couldn’t get enough, then allowing him to explore further than we already had.
The only problem was that I felt bad for bolting right after things had ended.
I’d told myself it was better to leave than to stay for the awkward moment when Cole started to regret what had happened.
But after having some time to think about it, I realized I may have been the one making things uncomfortable for no reason.
I’d given him multiple opportunities to tell me to go home, to stop what we were doing, but he hadn’t put on the brakes.
Maybe I needed to give him the benefit of the doubt that he wanted me as much as I wanted him.
Back in New York, hookups were fun, uncomplicated, and easy to forget the next morning, but this wasn’t the Big Apple.
Brookhaven was a small town, and Cole wasn’t a stranger I’d never see again.
He was in my space most days, helping restore the place I was betting my future on.
Which meant I didn’t have the luxury of ignoring the situation.
Not when he could walk through the door at any minute.
Once I had my coffee, I sat at the table and opened my laptop. Just as I was starting to get into a flow, the sound of tires rolling over the gravel lot carried through the walls, followed by the rumble of another engine.
I walked to the window and pulled back the curtain to take a peek outside. Sure enough, Cole’s pickup was parked in the usual spot, and next to it was a white van with “Lawson & Sons Plumbing” on the side.
Since we weren’t going to be alone, I figured I could go back to work and let Cole do his thing, just like I had the day before. A moment later, the back door opened, and his voice carried down the hall.
“Hey, Gavin.”
“Good morning,” I replied and stood.
“This is Dale Lawson with Lawson & Sons Plumbing,” Cole said.
I reached out a hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.” Dale and I shook.
“He’s going to take a look at the water heater and the other plumbing concerns that need to be addressed. Shouldn’t take more than an hour or two,” Cole explained.
“Sounds good.”
Cole nodded and turned to Dale. “We’ll start in the basement.”
I stepped aside to let them pass. Once they disappeared, I returned to my laptop.
It was time to describe one of my main characters, and when I pictured him in my head, it was Cole I saw.
My mind went back to that first day at Maple & Mug when I had spotted him wearing his signature flannel and faded jeans.
Those perfect cheekbones of his had caught my attention right away.
The words flowed easily, each sentence pulling me deeper into the story. Before I knew it, an hour had passed, and my stomach rumbled, reminding me I couldn’t live on coffee alone. I didn’t have much food in the house, and without Mrs. Ross around, I had to fend for myself.
I saved my document, then wandered upstairs, where I found Cole and Dale crouched under the sink in the bathroom across from my room. They were tossing around words like valves and fittings, none of which meant anything to me.
“I’m going to run into town,” I announced, hovering in the doorway. “You need anything?”
Cole glanced up. “No, I’m good. Dale will be done soon, then I’m going to work on the porch the rest of the afternoon.”
He’d already made some progress on the porch, and while he had no problem walking along the frame and using the front door, I was sticking with the back door. Knowing my luck, if I tried to do the same, I’d fall right off.
“All right.” I nodded. “I’ll be back in a bit.”
As I drove past Cinnamon & Crumb, I remembered the delicious white chocolate and cranberry cookie I’d had the night before. Making a quick detour, I parked my car and walked to the bakery.
A blast of warm air carrying the scent of cinnamon sugar hit me as soon as I walked in. While in line, I scanned the rows of pastries in the glass case, and the golden apple tartlets looked delicious.
I recognized the woman from the tree lighting event, and her face lit up when she saw me. She was in her fifties, maybe, with graying hair and smudges of batter on her apron. “Good morning, Mr. Price. Nice to see you again.”
I blinked. “You remember me?”
“Of course. We don’t get new people around here often.”
Before I could respond, someone stepped up next to me. “Oh, so you’re the man everyone’s been talking about.”
I turned and found a woman wrapped in a red coat and plaid scarf giving me a once-over.
“Excuse me?” I asked, a little surprised by her announcement.
She leaned a little closer, like she was letting me in on a secret.
“A new bachelor in town doesn’t go unnoticed.
Cole Maddox seems to have sworn off dating, and Ryan Dalton is a bit of a flirt, if you know what I mean.
The ladies at the salon this morning were thrilled there’s finally some new blood. ”
Her words were slightly frightening, and I didn’t know if I should laugh or make a break for the door. “That so?”
“Sure is.” She winked.
“Leave the young man alone, Karen,” the woman behind the counter admonished. “You’re going to scare him off with all that town gossip.”
She looked at me again. “Now what can I get you?”
A few minutes later, I had the apple tartlets plus a couple of cookies in hand and a loaf of sourdough bread. “Thanks!” I held up the pink box. “I didn’t catch your name last night.”
“Brenda Katz,” she replied. “And you’re very welcome, dear.”
Once I left the bakery, I continued to the general store, which turned out to be underwhelming to say the least. Instead of an in-store deli, I found a small case filled with packages of presliced ham and turkey, along with cheddar and American cheese.
So much for the fancy sandwich spread I’d wanted to make for lunch.
I decided on the turkey and cheddar, then grabbed some fresh produce, chips, and soda.
Back at the inn, I parked and approached Cole, who was hammering away on the porch. “I bought stuff for lunch whenever you want to take a break.”
He wiped the sweat off his brow with his sleeve. “You’re making me lunch?”
“Figured we are both hungry and I know you don’t cook.” I grinned.
“All right. Give me ten?”
“Sure, just come inside when you’re ready.”
I plated the sandwiches just as he walked into the kitchen.
“This is great,” he said. “I’m starving.”
We sat at the table and dug in.
After he swallowed his first bite, he asked, “What’d you do in town?”
“Not much. Stopped at Cinnamon & Crumb first. Mrs. Katz remembered me.” I took a sip from a can of cola.
His mouth curved up. “Sounds about right. She remembers everyone and everything.”
“That’s not all. A lady named Karen was behind me in line. She told me I’m apparently the hot new topic at the salon.” I popped a chip into my mouth.
He lifted a brow. “Oh really?”
“Yep. She mentioned that you had sworn off dating and something about Ryan being a big flirt.” I chuckled. “It sounds like I’m next in line to be set up.”
Something that looked a bit like worry flashed across his face before it disappeared. “Did you say anything about you being …?”
“Gay?”
He shifted in his chair. “Yeah.”
I leaned forward. “Would it be an issue if I had?”
Instead of answering, he spoke quietly. “What was it like for you? The first time you told someone?”
I shrugged. “Uneventful, honestly. I didn’t make some big coming-out speech or anything. One day, after school, I told my parents about a boy I was crushing on, and that was that. My friends didn’t really care either. It was just the way it was.”
He nodded. “It sounds like your parents are pretty cool.”
The pain I tried my hardest to keep at bay crept in a little. “They were. They passed away in May.”
“Oh. I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Thanks,” I replied, genuinely touched by the kindness in his voice.
We finished eating, and when we stood to clean up, I reached over to take his plate at the same time he went for mine, and suddenly we were inches apart. His gaze held mine like he was searching for something.
Instead of stepping away, he set the dishes aside and closed the distance, crashing his mouth into mine. A jolt of heat shot through me, and I tugged him closer, hungry for more.
He angled his head and kissed me harder, his tongue tangling with mine as he pressed me back against the counter. For a man who had sworn off dating, he kissed like someone who hadn’t forgotten how.
His erection ground against my hip and instinct took over. I palmed him through his jeans, and a low moan ripped from his throat. I fumbled for the button of his fly, desperate to take things further, but the sound of tires driving over gravel broke the moment.
Cole tore his mouth from mine, his breath ragged and his eyes wide with panic. He stepped back a split second later as heavy footsteps approached.
“Hey, Cole! You in here?” Ryan’s voice rang out from the front hall.