set what was left of her cinnamon roll on the plate and regained her composure. “I’m fine. And if I remember right, we were here to talk about you.”
He clapped his hands together, as if that would get the sticky frosting off, then found her eyes. “Listen, Charlotte, you really don’t need to be in on this mess with my ex. It’s an ugly situation.”
“I gathered.”
“So maybe it’s better if I bow out.”
“Better for who?”
He didn’t respond.
“Better for Amelia?”
He held up his hands in surrender. “Fine, I get it. I made a promise.”
“Right. You did. So, I think it’s time to buck up and do the right thing.”
He eyed her curiously. “Did you just say ‘buck up’?”
She sighed. “Yes. Do you know what it means?”
He seemed amused. She was seconds away from being made fun of and she knew it. “Well? Are we doing this thing?”
“Are you going to make me tell you about me and Gemma?” A serious expression crossed his face.
“Did I ask?” She figured she could return his guff all day long.
“No, so I’m guessing somebody else filled you in,” he said.
“Why, because I’m not pressuring you for information about your love life?” She laughed.
He looked away. “You’d be surprised how many people found it interesting.”
“Well, I’m not most people,” she said. “Besides, there seems to be some sort of code in this town whenever your name comes up.”
He frowned.
“Nobody says anything. Just that you’ve been through a lot. It’s strange, though, don’t you think? That everyone seems to know the story, but nobody will share it. I wouldn’t have even known who Gemma was if you didn’t tell me.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying this community respects your privacy, Coach. For whatever reason, they want to protect you.”
“I didn’t ask anyone to protect me.” He stood and walked over to the coffeemaker, filled two mugs, and returned to the table, sliding a mug in her direction.
“You’re missing the point,” she said. “Do you know what I would give to have people that watched out for me like that? Julianna was my only friend, Cole, and she’s gone. You have an entire town that loves you, including that little girl.”
“Seems like maybe she loves you too,” he said.
Charlotte felt her cheeks turn pink.
“The video of the two of you dancing. Seems like she really admires you—enough to get back out there anyway.” He took a swig of coffee and looked at her, his gaze so intense she had to look away. She didn’t mean to tell him anything about herself. It was too personal, really, and not the kind of thing you shared with someone you hardly knew.
She stood. “I’ll be at the studio this afternoon. If you decide to go through with it, you can join me.”
“And if I don’t?”
Charlotte forced herself to look at him. “Well, then you’re not the man I thought you were.”
28
Asher pulled up just as Charlotte was leaving. The kid got out of the Haven House work truck and shot Cole a surprised look.
“You and Miss Page?”
Cole groaned. “Not your business.”
“I’m just saying, Coach, she’s top rate.”
Cole stood on the porch, blocking the entry to his house. “What is she, a cut of beef?”
Asher grinned. “Dang, you’ve got it bad.”
Cole rolled his eyes and went inside, not bothering to hold the door open for his new employee.
“I fully support this relationship,” Asher said, following him into the kitchen.
“There’s no relationship,” Cole said. “She’s helping out with my niece. End of story. And if you want this job, I suggest you shut up about it. Got it?”
Asher’s grin only partially faded, and he didn’t respond.
“Got it?”
“Yes, Coach,” Asher said.
“Great. So, are you ready to demo a bathroom?” He turned and walked toward the first-floor bathroom. Cole had already removed the toilet and tub, but he’d left the real demo for Asher. “I’m going to get you started, and then I’ve got an errand to run.”
“You’re going to leave me alone?” Asher looked downright terrified. “You know I’ve never done this kind of work before, right?”
“That’s why I’m going to show you what to do before I leave.” Cole picked up a sledgehammer and handed it to Asher.
“What’s this for?”
“Therapy,” Cole said.
Asher frowned.
“I’ve already prepped the room,” Cole said. “So all I need you to do is remove the old plaster and the tile.”
The kid held the sledgehammer loose in his hands. “How do I do that?”
Cole took the hammer back, moved a few feet away, then hauled off and hit the wall as