Page 77 of One Southern Summer

“I just—I mean—” She crossed her arms over her chest and looked away. Oh, brother. Listen to her. She couldn’t even form a coherent sentence. Cotton candy clouds and the golden glow of the sun setting gave her pause. A perfect night for a romantic kiss in a place that had been a huge part of their childhoods.

“This changes everything,” she whispered, forcing herself to meet his troubled gaze. “You’re my dearest friend, Cole, and now we’ve crossed over into a place that’s so tender and fragile. What have we done?”

“We kissed.” His knowing smile made her pulse hum. “It was incredible at least from my perspective.”

“It was and that’s why this is so hard.”

His smile faded. “What are you trying to say, Avery?”

“I’m afraid that when people find out we’re romantically involved, when they realize that photograph shared a few weeks ago was an accurate picture of our feelings, I’m so worried that everything you worked for is going to be diminished. Cheapened.” She gulped in a breath then carved the toe of her sandal through the dirt at their feet. “People are going to forget about what Imari’s Place means and instead they’re going to focus on you and me.”

Cole lifted one shoulder. “Spoiler alert, they’re already plenty focused on you and me. I used to worry about that, but like you said, tonight changes everything.”

“I thought our mission was to bring awareness to human trafficking and raise money for an important cause.”

He stepped closer. “The mission hasn’t changed. We’ll always be intentional about helping more women escape bondage.”

She stepped back and bumped against the hood of her vehicle. “The social media crowd is going to have a field day with us.”

“Who cares?”

“I care.”

“Why?”

“Because it just about kills me that Pax and Trey get nothing but accolades and a book tour, while my every social media post and coffee date and professional decision is scrutinized.”

A muscle in his cheek twitched as he closed the distance between them. The woodsy scent of his cologne enveloped her as he leaned closer, bracing his hands on either side of her. “I meant what I said before I kissed you.”

His eyes dipped to her lips. The need to feel his mouth on hers filled her with a desperate ache.

“Those words have never been more true. I care about you, Avery.” His eyes roamed her face. “I care about what happens to you. The things that hurt you hurt me as well. I want so much for you to not care anymore what people think of you.”

“I want that too.”

His eyebrows sailed upward. “Do you though?”

“Yes, of course.”

She shivered, already missing the warmth of his touch. They’d connected. Genuinely connected. Their kiss had been next level as Julene would say.

Her phone rang and she hesitated, hating to interrupt this conversation.

“Ignore it.” His voice was husky. His mouth only inches from hers. “Please.”

Oh, she wanted to. How she wanted to. Thoughts of Hayes crying and resisting the bottle flashed in her mind, and she plucked her phone from her pocket. “I can’t. I’m sorry.”

Cole groaned and dropped his chin to his chest.

Pax’s number filled the screen. “It’s Pax. I have to take this.”

Cole nodded and stepped away, bracing his hands on his hips.

She swiped her trembling finger across the screen then pressed the phone to her ear. “Hello?”

“Hey, it’s me.”

Me.That one intimate word in his familiar southern drawl used to make her heart turn somersaults. This time Pax’s voice didn’t make her do anything other than flip out. “What’s wrong? What’s going on? Are the kids all right?”

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