Page 10 of Tinsel & Tools
Allie patted her arm. “From what I can tell, you’ve done a great job with what you have.”
I stepped into the small bedroom on the left and looked around. Faded brown carpet covered the floor, and a queen-sized bed with a brass headboard I could only imagine squeaked with every movement was pushed up against the wall. But the room appeared clean and cozy, so I wasn’t about to complain.
“Thank you. I’m in the other bedroom downstairs. If you need anything, you know where to find me.”
We said our goodnights and then she left.
Allie hopped onto my bed, despite having her own room. “See? It’s not so bad here. This could really be something.”
I didn’t share her enthusiasm, but I wasn’t ready to rule out the possibility of renovating the place. “We’ll see. I think I need to get a good night’s sleep before making any decisions.”
“Fine.” She got up and headed for the door. “We can talk tomorrow, but I think this could be a great new chapter for you.”
Later, as dim light slipped in though the broken slats of the blinds, I lay on the uncomfortable bed and stared at the ceiling. With no sirens or honking horns outside my window like in NYC, the silence felt a bit disorienting.
I wasn’t sure it was something I could get used to.
5
Cole
I turned into the parking lot of the small bus station. Only one person stood out front, a small suitcase at her feet and a duffel bag slung over her shoulder.
When I lifted a hand as I pulled to a stop just in front of her, her eyes widened as she looked at me before she glanced around as though making sure I was really waving to her.
“Paige?” I greeted, after getting out of my truck.
“Yeah … Cole Maddox?”
I smiled. “That’s me.”
“Okay,” she replied nervously.
“Your grandmother sent me?—”
“Oh, god,” she groaned, her cheeks turning pink. “Please tell me she didn’t make you come and pick me up?”
“She didn’t make me, but she asked if I could and maybe take you for coffee before we head to her place,” I half-lied. While Bonnie hadn’t forced me, she more or less told me to come.
“Well, this is awkward.” She looked off to the side.
“Yeah, it is.” I reached for the duffel, and she tightened her grip before letting me take it. I tossed it into the bed of the truck, then leaned down for her luggage.
Paige groaned. “She’s always trying to set me up. I should’ve known she’d somehow blindside me.”
“You’re not the only one she blindsided.” I put her suitcase into the bed too.
“So we’re both pawns in her little game?”
“Pretty much.” I opened the passenger door for her. “Might as well get it over with.”
“Ouch.” She wrinkled her nose before sliding into the cab.
I frowned, my hand on the door still. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. I just haven’t been out with anyone in years, so the whole setup thing feels off to me.”
“Oh,” she simply replied.
I shut her door and rounded the hood before sliding in behind the wheel. After we were buckled in, I pulled out of the parking lot.
