Page 79 of One Southern Summer

“You’re welcome.” He sat back then tore the wrapper off the candy bar. Avery removed the cap from her water and took a long sip. He couldn’t help but let his gaze slide to her slender neck. The muscles working as she swallowed. Not long ago, he’d taken his time exploring the space between her mouth and her ear. Savoring the way she smelled. How her body felt pressed against his.

Stop.He quickly twisted off the top on his own bottle of water and took a long gulp.This isn’t about you, remember?“Any news?”

“A physician assistant came out a few minutes ago. They wheeled Nana down for a CT scan. She’s breathing on her own but not opening her eyes yet. They’re concerned about head trauma. They want to rule out a brain bleed.” She grimaced. “I’ve called Mama and Greer. They’re on their way.”

“I’m sorry this has happened.” Cole reached out and squeezed her knee with his hand. “Your grandmother strikes me as a fighter. I’m sure she’ll pull through.”

She had to. He didn’t want to deal with the fallout of telling Avery the truth without Maribelle around. Not that she’d offer much moral support. Still, she was partly responsible for this mess.

He shoved those thoughts right back where they came from. This wasn’t the time or the place.

“I didn’t even know she was going to Pax’s event,” Avery said, sorting the candies by color in her palm. “I hope she didn’t go there alone.”

“I’ve seen her out and about in town with a group of ladies. They’re quite active. I doubt she went by herself. She doesn’t drive anymore.” He took a bite of the candy bar and thought about that night at the restaurant when Maribelle sat down at his table and made sure he knew that Avery had come back. He’d been so distracted, waiting to meet a woman for a first date who’d never showed.

“I hope she wakes up soon and that there’s nothing wrong. We’re not ready to be a family without Nana.”

Oh, man. The lament in her voice pierced him. What if Nana didn’t recover and he had to tell Avery the whole convoluted tale on his own? The chocolate and caramel gummed together in his mouth. He grabbed his water and took a long pull. He kept waiting for the ideal circumstances, but what did that even look like? She’d given him yet another opportunity to come clean. But he couldn’t. Not here. Not when she didn’t have her family to be with her if she got upset.

And he was confident she’d get upset.

“Are you planning to stay until she’s discharged?”

“I’m planning to stay until Mama and Greer get here, and we find out the results of her CT scan.”

He checked the time on his phone. Ten fifteen. “I’m sure at this point they’ll keep her overnight.”

The automatic doors parted and he looked up expecting to see Avery’s family. Instead, Pax stepped inside wearing bright blue slacks, a pale blue shirt and a silver-and-blue-striped tie. His honey-brown lace-up oxfords tapped out a determined rhythm on the grungy tile as he strode toward them.

His brown hair was coiffed sky-high and an orange-brown layer of makeup covered his face. Probably to accommodate the bright lights of The Oasis stage. Avery’s packet of M&Ms slipped from her hands, scattering candy all over the waiting area.

“Pax, what are you doing here?”

“Hey.” He flashed a brilliant white smile their direction, side-stepped the candy and took a seat across from them.

Cole offered a curt nod then dropped to his knees and scooped the candy into his hand.

“The kids are asleep. My parents are there with Trey. I wanted to stop by and check on your grandmother,” Pax said.

Super. Cole’s stomach clenched as he stood and carried the trash to the can positioned by the elevator. He didn’t belong here, but he wasn’t confident he should leave Avery alone with Pax. Then again, they used to be married. He turned back toward Avery, willing her to look his way. To reassure him that she needed him by her side.

She met his gaze. Her fingers rubbed the back of her opposite hand, but she didn’t say anything.

He pulled his keys from his pocket. “I’m going to go. You’ll let me know if anything changes, right?”

“Of course.” She tucked an errant curl behind her ear but stayed in her chair.

Disappointment fisted in his chest. Couldn’t she at least give him a hug or a chaste kiss? Offer to walk out with him so he could kiss her properly? He felt the weight of Pax’s curious gaze sizing him up.

“Thanks for everything.”

Her slow smile sent a frisson of warmth curling through him.

“No problem.” He turned and strode out into the sticky night, his frustration building with every step.No problem?Maybe he was being childish. Maybe his guilt clouded his thinking. Maybe he shouldn’t have kissed her at all. Then he wouldn’t be in this rock-and-a-hard-place predicament, clinging desperately to this new phase of their relationship yet fearing he’d already wrecked everything.

She should go after him.

Avery bit her lip, watching as Cole strode into the darkness of the parking lot. He’d been so kind and attentive. She should at least give him a hug and kiss. Tell him thank you. After their encounter near the pond, she felt the tiniest bit guilty for not walking him out.

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