Page 62 of Just One Kiss

“Can we eat now?” Jaden asked.

Carly’s laugh was less because she was amused and more because she’d been holding on to a heap of nervous energy from the second Josh walked through the front door. Which was stupid—this was Josh. She shouldn’t feel giddy and nervous around Josh.

And yet—this wasJosh.And Josh had always made her feel giddy and nervous, even when she was most comfortable with him.

Finally, he sat down, which turned out to be even worse for her ailing nerves because every time she looked up from her plate, there were those tragic blue oceans, intently focused on her.

“I had no idea this town had become such a hot spot,” Josh said.

She chose not to mention that his own father had been a key player in the rejuvenation of Harbor Pointe. As the city planner, it was often his office implementing the ideas that had led to the growth.

“Did you have a Realtor helping you?” she asked between bites of fried rice.

“Yes, Linda something-or-other,” Josh said. He’d never been very good with names. “She talked to me like I was crazy for even suggesting a short-term rental in this market.”

“Is Cole kicking you out?” Carly asked.

Josh bit into the egg roll and shook his head. “He’d never kick me out—but I’m starting to feel in the way. You know Cole.”

Everyone knew Cole. He was the football coach the town was counting on to get their boys back on the right track. He was also the kind of guy who rarely spoke to anyone unless he had to—it amazed her that he seemed to know just what to say to a team of high school boys but appeared completely lost when it came to any other conversation.

He’d always been a little on the grumpy side, even before he and Gemma started having trouble. She could only imagine what he was like now that they’d split. “How’s he doing?”

Josh shrugged. “Doesn’t talk about it, but she showed up this morning, and then he spent the rest of the day in his workshop. I’m pretty sure he just needs to be alone right now.”

“Are you sure that’s good for him?” Carly asked. Cole Turner wasn’t the type to do anything stupid, but when someone was hurting, was leaving them alone really the best decision?

“I’ll still check in with him,” Josh said. “I just don’t want to be underfoot.”

“What about Grandpa’s old fishing cabin?” Jaden shoveled a bite into his mouth.

Carly nearly choked on her food. “What?”

“It’s not like Grandpa uses it,” Jaden said.

“It’s not exactly in the best condition.” Carly looked at Josh. “I don’t think you’re going to want to stay there—it’s probably pretty rough.”

She didn’t actually know that because she hadn’t set foot in that old cabin for over sixteen years.

Josh shrugged. “I don’t mind.”

She frowned. “No.” She wouldn’t say so, but she was ninety-nine percent certain her dad wasn’t going to want Josh there. Besides—she wasn’t sure how to reconcile the idea of Josh spending his days (and nights) in that cabin.Theircabin.

“A little dirt isn’t going to scare me off,” he said. “I’ve slept in worse places.”

Worse places like the old garden shed in her backyard.

The image of an eleven-year-old Josh at her back door, face stained with tears and back covered in welts, washed through her mind. “Can I sleep in your shed?” he’d asked. “Just until my dad falls asleep?”

She looked away. She didn’t want her sympathy for him to return—it messed with her resolve.

“I’ll text Grandpa.” Jaden had his phone out before Carly could blink.

“No, Jay.” Carly glanced up and found matching blue eyes trained on her. “Maybe I can talk to Quinn—she has a lot of connections around town. I’m sure she’ll know of someone with something you can rent short-term.”

“What’s the big deal?” Jaden asked, still poised to send his text to her dad.

She glanced at Josh, whose expression made it clear he knew exactly what the big deal was—and yet, he made no move to back her up.

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