Page 25 of Tinsel & Tools
A few seconds later, Allie and Ryan returned.
“Damn, Cole. I doubt anyone is going to want to follow that performance,” Allie gushed.
“I’m sure there’s enough drunk people in here willing to get up there.” Cole snorted.
We chatted for a while longer, but eventually, Ryan wrapped an arm around Allie’s shoulders. “I think we’re going to head out.”
Cole shook his head with a laugh. “Yeah, I’d better get home too. I’ve got a job to do tomorrow, and someone is ditching me to head back to the city.”
I clapped him on the shoulder. “I’m sure you can handle things just fine.”
When we reached our vehicles, Allie stopped beside Ryan’s passenger door. To me, she said, “Don’t wait up.” Then with a wink, she climbed in.
I may not have been about to get lucky, but I was happy for my friend who seemed to be getting her own small-town romance even if it was just for one night.
Just as I was getting into my car, Cole called out to me. “Will you still be at the inn when I get there in the morning?”
I flashed him a smile. “Doubt that one”—I pointed in the direction Allie had ridden off with Ryan—“will be back early, so probably.”
He nodded. “See you tomorrow then.”
Early the next morning, I was loading up my car for the trip back to New York City when Ryan’s truck finally pulled up. Allie didn’t immediately get out, and as I closed my trunk, I caught my bestie making out with him in the front seat of his vehicle and fogging up his windows. When she finally came up for air, she spotted me and had the audacity to open the door and wave.
“Do you need a few more minutes? Or a cold shower, maybe?” I teased.
She slid out of his truck with zero shame, smoothing out her clothes she’d been wearing the night before like she hadn’t just been playing tonsil hockey in the parking lot. “I definitely need a shower,” she said before looking back at Ryan. “Maybe I’ll see you the next time I’m in town.”
He leaned over the center console. “Looking forward to it, and I’ll see you, Gavin, when you get back.”
“Aren’t you staying to help Cole again today?”
He nodded. “Yeah, but I need to swing by the shop for a bit. I already told him I’ll be back in an hour or two.”
“Cool. Later,” I replied, giving him a head nod before Allie and I walked inside.
The second the door shut behind us, I arched a brow. “That didn’t take long. You were here less than a week, and you already got your Hallmark moment.”
“Please,” she scoffed. “What we did last night would get us banned from the airwaves.”
I groaned. “Too much information. It was bad enough seeing you with your tongue halfway down his throat.”
“Someone’s jealous,” she singsonged as she headed for the stairs.
“Hardly,” I lied because damn it, I wanted to be making out with my own small-town hero.
“Well, you can continue living in denial. I’m going to take a shower. We can hit the road in thirty.”
“Okay, I’ll make us some coffee while you’re in there.”
I’d just finished preparing two travel mugs when Cole showed up to start the day. I headed outside so I could chat with him before getting on the road. “Are you always this punctual?” I asked as I rounded the corner where the new porch would eventually be.
He shrugged. “If you’re not early, you’re late.”
“Oh.” I rolled my eyes playfully. “You’re one of those.”
“One of what?” A hint of a smile crossed his face.
“An early riser.” I took a sip of my drink. “I’m more of a wake-up-whenever sort of guy.”
