Page 53 of Thunderstruck
“He’s a catch, for sure.”
“Not as good as Cole, of course.”
“Obviously.”
I bite my lip. “Maybe I should tell you both that I have strict rules against dating people I work with.”
“Why?” they ask at the same time.
Shaking my head, I consider telling them about my sordid past but decide against it. I’m glad Cole knows, but I’d rather keep it as close to the vest as I can. “Reasons,” I say.
“That’s why you think you’re not dating Cole?” Gramps asks.
“That’s why I’mnotdating Cole.”
That gets them both laughing, and I can’t help but join in because these men are delightful and warm and remind me of home. While I did sleep better last night after my evening with Cole, this is the first time since Darcy headed to the airport that I don’t feel the pain of homesickness.
Can I just stay here always? The house is big enough that there’s probably a guest room somewhere.
“So you’re not interested in Moxie?” Gramps asks.
Before I can answer, a soft voice behind me says, “Moxie has bigger things to worry about than dating right now.” Cole comes up beside me, arm brushing mine as he reaches forward to grab the plates Gramps has made up for us. “Sorry, boys, but I need to steal Carissa now. And no, you can’t come with us.”
Both of them grumble and groan, but Cole ignores them.
Giving August and Gramps a smile, I follow Cole out onto a beautiful deck that overlooks a luscious garden. The sun has sunk low enough that the whole yard is in shadow, nice and cool compared to the heat we get during the day, and with the trees dotting the property line, everything is calm and quiet back here, like the rest of the city has disappeared.
“This is amazing,” I say.
Cole chuckles as he sets the plates on a gorgeous wood table and gestures for me to sit across from him. “Not darling?”
I grin. “It’s that too. If this is your house, why don’t you live here? I mean, don’t get me wrong. The other house is great too. But this one is extra nice.” And it has a pool, which looks terribly inviting.
“I spend plenty of time here too, but I like having my own space. Dad and Gramps put up with a lot, raising me, so I figured they deserve the nicer house for a while.”
“So they both raised you?”
He shrugs, poking at his sandwich. “Single parenting is not for the faint of heart, and Gramps was alone for so long. Same with my dad. We all look out for each other.”
Cole told me about his grandma and his mom, but I guess I never put two and two together. Gramps and August both lost their wives far too early. It’s heartbreaking.
To keep myself from tearing up in sympathy, I put my focus into the sandwich and take a bite. The pork is sweet and spicy, and Gramps added a layer of cool coleslaw onto a bun that is way fancier than the ones I buy at the store. “Holy mama, this is good,” I say with my mouth full.
Cole laughs. “Gramps is way better at cooking than I am.”
“Yeah,” I agree after I swallow. Then I wince. “I mean, dinner last night was delicious! But this is…”
Biting his lip in amusement, Cole watches as I take another bite. “Better,” he repeats with a nod. “I’m only a little offended that you didn’t hesitate with your agreement.”
Heat floods my cheeks, though I honestly can’t say if it’s from embarrassment or because of the way he watches me as he digs in to his own sandwich.
We’re both quiet until our sandwiches are gone, but that’s about as long as I can wait before I start asking questions. “What did you mean when you said Moxie has bigger things to worry about?”
Tension fills Cole’s shoulders, and I worry I asked something I shouldn’t, but then he says, “Coach pulled me aside after practice today.”
“I noticed that.”
“He wants to replace Moxie as captain.”
