Page 6 of Sing with Me

Or jealous of his immense wealth?

She shook it off.

The women at church who had grown up with Diehl in their childhood summer days—some of whom he had dated in years past—all warned Skye to stay away from him. He had a reputation for being a trap—although he had only married twice to the same woman.

A trap?

And here I am in this house, cooking for the next three months.

“I’m all yours if you want me to stay all day,” Marlo said.

“I have a rehearsal at two and then we’ll be over at Mrs. Morton’s at three, and then back here at five.” Skye read off her schedule for the day as she walked toward the refrigerator with her phone.

There was little for Marlo to do, really. However, Skye liked having someone to talk to. She touched the side of the baking dish on the counter. It was still warm.

She found a thick mitten and used that to line the refrigerator shelf. She put the mushroom risotto on the mitten, closed the door—

And shrieked.

Diehl Brooks stood there, grinning at her. “Do I look that bad?”

He seemed to have just stepped out of the shower. His hair was damp. His five o’clock shadow was untrimmed. His T-shirt had designer holes in it, yesteryear’s style where five-hundred-dollar shirts came ripped here and there.

A rag. Skye wouldn’t use it to wipe the kitchen floor.

“You must be Chef Langston,” Diehl said.

“Skye.”

“Pretty name. I believe I’ve seen you before—at various dinners at my parents’ cottage, for example.” Diehl extended his hand.

Ah. He remembers me.

Skye hesitated. She had just done the dishes. Her palms were rough. She was going to apply some lotion to her fingers. She did not want his first impression of her to be that she didn’t have soft hands.

Why would it matter?

“Would you like your lunch now?” Skye asked instead.

“You can call me Diehl.” His voice was cold. He retracted his hand.

“I’m sorry. We’re not answering each other’s questions.” Skye drew a deep breath. “Let me start over. I can’t shake your hands right now because my hands are rough. I’ve been doing dishes, and I left my hand cream at home.”

“I have the best lotion ever. Let me get it.” And he dashed upstairs.

“That was unexpected.” Skye glanced at Marlo, who shrugged.

Skye opened the cabinets until she found dinner plates. She put the plate on the island counter and waited. She had no idea if Diehl wanted to eat or not.

She glanced at her phone. Text message from Brinley.

“Yes, I know he’s here,” Skye said to no one.

Diehl was back, not even huffing. He looked athletic and fit. Muscles everywhere, even on his thighs and calves. Maybe he worked out a lot. Cycled some, maybe.

By why did she care?

Skye stared at the bottle and laughed. “Coconut oil.”

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