Page 21 of Double Booked

She shook her head. “We’re getting off track.”

“At least you’re laughing instead of crying.”

“Good point.” She smiled at him, embracing the sense of camaraderie, even if he was of the same species as Patrick. “How’d you know I was actually crying?”

“I heard you when I first came inside.”

Her eyes went wide. “How long were you standing there?”

“Long enough to realize it wasn’t just the onions.”

“Oh.”

“Listen. I might not be the best person to hand out advice, but—”

“You’re about to give it to me anyway,” she finished.

He nodded. “From the sounds of it, you’re better off without this guy.”

He made it sound so simple, but it struck her that maybe he was right. Even before Vanessa came along, there were things about Patrick that weren’t sitting well with her. If he hadn’t confessed his emotional affair, she might be going along even now thinking everything was okay when it wasn’t.

While she was contemplating this, Cole stood and started cleaning the kitchen. Is he for real? A guy who helps in the kitchen, has artfully stylish hair, and is a good listener, all in one? There must be something wrong with him.

He turned around and caught her staring. “Feeling better now?”

She nodded. “Thanks for listening.”

“Anytime.”

They gazed at each other for a weighted moment until he spoke again. “I’ll get out of your way now.” He took his half-finished beer and jogged upstairs, leaving her alone once again.

Eight

On Friday morning, Cole made a big breakfast with the intention of luring Eden out of her lair. After their discussion about her ex, she’d kept to herself, and he’d barely seen her. She’d said she had a lot of work to catch up on, but he believed there was more to it than that. Whether she was embarrassed about opening up to him or licking her wounds, he was determined to coax her out of hiding. He hoped pancakes and bacon might help.

He'd just finished frying the bacon when her door cracked open and she poked her head out. “What are you still doing here?” she said groggily.

“Good morning to you too,” he teased.

“You’re usually gone by now.”

“I made breakfast for us,” he said.

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Why?”

She certainly wasn’t making this easy for him, but he forged ahead. “To be nice?”

She didn’t look convinced.

“Okay, look. You’ve been holed up in your room for two days, and I thought it would do you good to get outside.”

“What does that have to do with breakfast?”

“I thought we’d go hiking this morning, and you’ll need the energy.”

“Hold on.” She retreated into her room and shut the door.

He assumed she was putting on a robe, like she’d done before. In the meantime, he poured them each a cup of coffee and set it beside their plates.