broke off another bite of cookie. “So he brought you cookies, and…”
“And, nothing. Well, we hung out a little bit yesterday. He was just showing me around town.”
“Skylar Stanley, you went on a date with him and you didn’t tell me?”
“No, no, no. It wasn’t a date. I’m not dating.”
“Why not?”
I blinked at her. “Is that a serious question? I’m fresh off a very shitty breakup and let’s not talk about my career. I’m not exactly in a good place right now.”
“Did he know it wasn’t a date?”
“Of course he knew. He specifically said he wants to be friends.”
“Hmm.”
“Trust me. There’s nothing going on with me and Gavin. How was the drive out here?”
“I hear you changing the subject, but I’ll allow it. The drive was fine. Beautiful, actually.”
“How long do you think you’ll be in town?”
“A few weeks at least, but my schedule is pretty open, so I’m flexible. How’s your mom?”
“She’s fine, although she’s been weirdly busy lately. Seems distracted when we talk on the phone.” The tea kettle whistled and just as I got up, someone knocked on the front door.
“I’ll do that, you go get the door,” Ginny said.
“Thanks.”
I left her to make the tea and answered the door. As soon as I opened it, my stomach did a belly flop. It was Gavin.
“Hey, Sky.”
The sight of him hit me like a lightning strike. “Hey. Come in.”
He grinned at me, dimples and all. “Thanks.”
His gait was a rhythmic click, thud, click, thud. Crutches, shoe, crutches, shoe. Every step made my heart flutter in my chest.
Ginny put the mugs of tea on the table, her eyebrows raised.
“Oh sorry,” Gavin said. “I didn’t realize you had someone over. I’m Gavin Bailey.”
“Ginny Vandervelden.”
“I can come back later if you—”
“No,” Ginny said brightly, cutting him off. “You’re fine. Come on in.”
He grinned at her and a strange sense of panic flared in my chest. Not only was Ginny beautiful, she was outgoing and friendly in ways I was not. She was also available in ways I wasn’t—single, and more importantly, open to dating. What if Gavin liked her? Not just liked her, but liked her.
Why was that thought so awful? Gavin and I were just friends. And barely that, we’d practically just met.
He leaned his crutches against the wall, then hopped to the table on his good leg and pulled out a chair. His arms flexed as he lowered himself into it. “Did you just get into town?”
Ginny took her seat. “I did. It’s cute. I can’t wait to explore.”
I braced myself for Gavin to offer to show her the town, like he’d done for me. Which was fine. Wasn’t it? Why wouldn’t it be?
Because then you weren’t special.
“It’s not too big, so it’s pretty easy to find your way around,” Gavin said. “But if you need any recommendations, let me know.”
My eyes flicked from Gavin to Ginny. No tour? No offer to be her friend and steal a mobility scooter from the grocery store so he could show her around?
“Thanks,” Ginny said. “I just might take you up on that.”
I realized I was still standing next to the table like a weirdo, not offering him any refreshments even though Ginny and I had ours. “I made tea. Do you want some? Or a cookie? I have a few left.”
“I’ll always say yes to a cookie.”
I got him a cookie out of the container, then took a seat and slid my tea over to my spot. I glanced at him, wishing I could think of something to say. But all I could seem to think about was his mouth and what it would feel like to kiss him.
His gaze moved to my lips, just for a second, but it was enough to make my heart flutter again.
“Sky, how’s the book coming?” he asked. “Are you still blocked?”
Blocked. Distracted by you. Maybe both. “Yeah, still struggling.”
“Man, that’s rough. I’m sure you’ll figure it out, though.”
“Thanks. Do you know when you get to go back to work?”
“When I get the cast off. Hopefully the doctor will put me in one of those boot things. Then I’ll at least be able to walk and I can be on light duty.”
“You must be looking forward to it.”
“Yeah, I am.” His eyes held mine again and for a second, I forgot anyone else was here. “So, I came over to see if you wanted to go for a walk down by the river, but since you’re busy, maybe we could do that another time?”
My gaze