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"Interesting.” Her look was a skewer. She was about the only person in town who knew about my teeny, tiny crush on Cole. “And how do you feel about that?"
"Fine," I lied. "Or at least I did."
"What happened?"
Taking a deep breath, I confessed, "Last night, I went skinny-dipping and Cole may have gotten an eyeful from a ladder he was climbing."
Lily's jaw dropped. "Shut up! He saw you naked?"
I groaned, relaying the whole mortifying story, including the dumb comment I’d made about taking him falling off the ladder as a compliment.
"I knew it!" Lily crowed. "There's always been a spark between you two."
"As if! I was a kid the last time I saw him. This stupid crush is one-sided."
"But you admit it's a crush," she needled.
"He's just so . . . grown-up, you know? Steady job, kids, pillar of the community and all that."
Lily waggled her eyebrows. "I’ll bet his pillar is quite the sight."
"Lily!"
"What? I'm just saying, there's nothing wrong with a little fling . . ."
"No! Absolutely not. He was friends with Dad, he's ten years older than me, and he's got kids, Lily. Cute ones, too. You don’t mess with a guy with kids unless you’re super serious.”
“What if you are super serious?”
I laughed. “I’m super serious about pastries, Lily. And this coffee. And finding out about the inflatable flamingo in that romance novel. I’m not super serious about some silly crush.” I paused. “Anyway, he’s out of my league. I'm an unemployed mess and he's. . . Cole." My face burned. “Plus, he’s grumpy as hell.”
“That’s a long list of reasons you shouldn’t be together,” said Lily. “Which makes me think you’re very, very attracted to him.” She narrowed her eyes playfully.
I sighed, exasperated. "Even if I was very, very attracted to him—and I'm not saying I am—it doesn't matter. I'm leaving town." I gave Lily a pointed look. "Can we please change the subject? I have to meet him and his dad in a minute and I’m nervous enough as it is."
Lily smirked. "I can tell. You're awfully dressed up for a simple meeting with some builders."
Ugh. I hated that she was right. Do you know how hard it is to put together an outfit that shows off your curves, while at the same time has to communicate the fact that you couldn't care less what you look like?
I'd settled on a cream-colored tank top that was scalloped around the neckline and a pair of high-waisted navy shorts that hugged my curves just so. Strappy red sandals completed the look in a desperate attempt to seem laid-back.
And yes, I may have spent a few extra minutes on my makeup—a light foundation for a flawless complexion, a pop of blush for a sun-kissed glow. I wanted to look my best, maybe even a little more than my best.
"You’re in the wrong job,” I said. “You should be a fricking detective.”
She grinned. “The lurve detective.”
I gave her a look.
"All right, all right, I'll drop it! So, what do you think of the shop's new decor?"
I looked around again. "It's great, Lils. Really nice."
"Fun fact! The McCoy Building Co. actually did the—"
"Lily!"
She burst out laughing. "I'm sorry, babe!"
