Page 14 of Twice Shy

Chapter Six

Charity Car Wash, Saturday September 28th

The last weekend in September dawned clear and fresh, the lingering summer warmth clinging on by its fingernails. Soon it would be gone, swept away by the first fall storm, but for now it was perfect. Just warm enough for shorts with a hoodie on top. Which was lucky, Joel thought as he cycled into the Majestic’s large driveway, because they were going to get wet today.

A large banner announcing ‘Charity Car Wash’ had already been hung from the hotel porch, and Joel spotted Jackie striding about, clipboard in hand, while a couple of other dragooned moms set up the refreshment stand. Lots of excited kids had arrived early, frolicking and giggling. And among them stood Ollie Snow, talking with Alyssa. Joel slowed, coming to a stop and dismounting. Dressed in board shorts, flip-flops, and a slim-fitting hoodie, Ollie threw back his head in a carefree laugh and Joel’s stomach gave a startling flutter.

The hell?

Transfixed, breathless as an out of shape smoker trying to get out of his recliner, Joel found he couldn’t move. Couldn’t look away. The thing was, he hadn’t realized Ollie’s dark brown hair was really a subtle shade of auburn, but the morning sunlight was glinting against red highlights in his curls and Joel was captivated by the unusual color—like a very dark merlot, or a garnet. Striking against Ollie’s fair skin.

Ollie Snow was a striking guy, no doubt about it. He was attractive.

I’m attracted to him.

It had been a long time—alongtime—since Joel had been attracted to anyone, male or female, so it came as a shock to find his gaze lingering on Ollie’s slender hips and the flash of bare skin revealed above the top of his shorts when he reached up to fix a sign on the refreshment stand.

He supposed Amy would call this an ‘interesting development’.

“Mr. Morgan!” Jackie trilled from the Majestic’s porch. “Just in time! We’redesperatefor your help. I need you and Ollie organizing the car wash. Alyssa’s on refreshments and I’ll be floating.”

Joel waved in acknowledgement of his orders, casting a quick glance back towards Ollie, and was alarmed to find him heading his way.

“Hey,” Ollie called as he drew closer. He had Luis perched on one hip and was dragging his stroller behind him across the gravel. It looked like hard work. “Nice ride,” Ollie said, his admiring gaze roving over Joel’s bike. “Very nice.”

“Oh, thanks.” Flustered by the flutter in the pit of his belly, Joel avoided making eye contact and smiled at Luis instead. “Hey, buddy, how’re you doing?”

“Ready to wash some cars, right?” Ollie said and Luis babbled, squirming to get down. “You cycle much?” Ollie set Luis on his feet. “I used to, back in Colorado Springs.” He sounded wistful. “There were some sweet trails around Cheyenne Mountain.”

“There are some pretty nice trails around here, too.” Joel offered a cautious smile. “Fewer mountains, I guess, but a couple of nice family trails along the coast. You could take the boys.”

“Yeah, well, I’d need a bike for that. And some place to store it, and…” He offered a rueful smile and Joel felt awkward, afraid he’d been tactless. “Anyway. I’m glad you’re here—I can barely control two kids let alone fifteen and a hosepipe.”

Glad of the change of subject, Joel said, “Luckily, I like nothing better than spending Saturday morning washing cars with fifteen over-excited grade-schoolers.”

“Lucky for me,” Ollie laughed. “But thanks. I mean, you totally don’t have to do any of this. It’s not your job, and they’re not your kids.”

Joel kept his expression neutral as he pulled off his cycling gloves, suppressing the pang of hurt. How could Ollie know that stung? “I’m happy to help. Itismy school, at least.”

“Oh, I didn’t mean—” Maybe his tone had been a little off because Ollie frowned. “I just meant that I appreciate your time. Really. I’m sure you’d rather be—” He broke off, staring, but when Joel followed his gaze, he only saw a man leaving the hotel.

Luca Moretti, in fact.

Moretti didn’t so much as glance their way, but Ollie appeared fascinated. And Joel didn’t miss the flush rising in his cheeks, or the way he gnawed at his bottom lip while he watched Moretti walk quickly around the side of the Majestic and disappear into the gardens. Attraction or curiosity? He couldn’t quite decipher Ollie’s rapt expression.

Still watching him, Joel said, “It was good of Moretti to let us use the hotel.”

“Huh?” Ollie blinked, as if forcing the world back into focus. “Oh, yeah. Although I’ve mostly been dealing with Theo.”

Joel hummed a wordless acknowledgment and pulled off his cycle helmet, running a hand through his hair and no doubt making it stand up in damp spikes. “I don’t really know Theo. British, right?” He started wheeling his bike toward the porch.

“Right.” Ollie grabbed Luis’s hand and followed, still dragging the stroller behind him. “Theo’s great. He even collected donations from some of the guests who want their cars washed. The kids are gonna be busy today.”

“And they’re gonna bewettoday.” Joel nodded toward the gaggle of children already unwinding a long hosepipe. Several bright orange buckets stood nearby, waiting to be filled. “I brought a change of clothes, just in case.”

Ollie laughed. “Right. Because you’re a sensible guy.”

Joel lifted an eyebrow in silent comment. “I just understand risk—and there’s no way we don’t get soaked to the skin today.”

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