Page 38 of Falling for Keeps

I literally have to force myself not to shrug, taking a step back instead to clear my head. Friends. He said that’s what he wants to be, and I’m going to respect that because it’s the smartest decision and my emotional health can’t handle another rejection.

Last time I really put myself out there was with a guy in college, and it didn’t go well. Garrett, my lab partner senior year, had spent the entire semester making me believe he was interested in me. But when I asked him if he wanted to get together outside of class, he’d laughed in my face and told me he had a girlfriend. I mean, he’d heavily flirted with me, so how was I supposed to know he wasn’t available? I’ll never make that mistake again.

And I haven’t. Since that moment, every date I’ve had, every kiss I’ve had, has been initiated by the guy.

Probably every one before him, too, if I’m being honest. I finally psyched myself up to put myself out there, then crashed and burned hard. Needless to say, Carson doesn’t have anything to worry about. If there’s one thing I know how to do well, it’s navigate an unrequited crush.

I pick up the bakery box holding my sticky bun and note the old, dingy brown chairs piled in the center of the room. “It’s a good thing you’re replacing these things. They’re hideous.”

Carson blinks. “I was going to keep them, actually.”

Hello foot, meet mouth. “Oh, Penny mentioned that your chairs are late⁠—”

“I got new ergonomic chairs for the exam rooms—for me and my assistants while we work on patients.”

“Right.” I nod, backing toward the door. Maybe we won’t even become friends. I can’t seem to have a normal interaction with him. “Makes sense.”

“Hold on,” he puts a hand up, halting me. “Hideous? That’s a strong word.”

My neck burns. “It’s probably the lighting.”

Carson’s smile is indulgent. “Be real with me. Should I replace these, too? I need this place to be inviting, but my budget is shot. How important is it?”

“I don’t think they need to be replaced.”

He gives me a look that cuts through all my nonsense.

“I really don’t!” I promise. “Reupholstering them might take a minute, but it’s not hard. It’s a way more cost-effective option. Right now, they kind of clash with the new blue on the walls. It makes them look worse than before, when they kind of blended in.”

“Blended—yeah, that’s a good reason alone to fix the chairs.”

“Reupholster them. The bones are great.” I give one a sturdy nudge for effect.

“If only I knew how to do that,” he says.

“I’ve done it to some of my furniture. I could show you.”

“I already owe you too much.” He shakes his head, looking around the waiting room, and I can sense how overwhelmed he is. Like he’s straining beneath the pressure he’s under.

“Then help me tile my bathroom,” I blurt out.

He looks like he might be considering it.

“Not now,” I say, because the last thing he needs is to add something to his to-do list. “I meant eventually, once all this is finished and you have time. We can trade services.”

“If I was going to trade for any service, it would be braiding lessons.”

“We can do that too. I also need a new sink installed. Maybe even a toilet.” I grin widely.

Carson laughs. “I’m being hustled, aren’t I?”

“If it’ll make you feel better, then sure. Ever since I met you in that bar, I thought to myself, I’m finally going to finish my bathroom, and this guy is going to help me do it.”

His eyes focus on me like he can’t see anything else, driving awareness through me. “When should we start?” he asks.

My pulse heightens. Is this really happening? I’m going to take on the arduous task of reupholstery and he’s going to help with my bathroom?

Honestly, it seems like a fair trade-off. “Is there a way you can get the chairs to my house this week? I can probably get them done before you open…what day is that?”