* * *
Fifteen minutes later,he was crumpled underneath the disgusting restaurant sink, dressed in an old t-shirt he’d found in his truck, and replacing the shut-off valve. His hair was still damp and it flopped in his face. Both Garrett and the producers ofRenovation Dudeshad been harassing him to get a haircut. Now, he wasn’t positive if he was putting it off because he hated making small talk with barbers or out of spite. Probably the latter.
Davis tried not to think about how Kelsey looked only moments before—hair disheveled, beads of water on her face, shirt soaked through. But it was practically impossible because it was the only image that flickered into his brain each time he closed his eyes.
In the beginning of their friendship, he had an inkling she might have feelings for him. But Davis was awkward and inexperienced with women. And even though there’d been a spark of interest on his end as well, by the time he was ready to act on it, she was with Ricky. And for the last ten years, he’d been content with their relationship—just friends.
So what was happening now? Had the increased time together caused prior nonexistent feelings to slowly develop? Davis had been at Kelsey’s house more often as of late. He’d replaced her garbage disposal, changed the oil on her minivan, and re-watched every Jim Carrey movie with her after the kids had gone to bed. He was happy to help her out, even if she was too proud to ask for it.
“Hey, how’s it going?” Kelsey crouched next to him.
He glanced away from his work momentarily, and instantly regretted it. The sight of her dressed in his tank top caused a slight pain to pinch in his chest. She bit at her lower lip, concern creasing her forehead. Seeing her worry was becoming one of his least favorite sights.
“Looks like you had the part,” she continued when he didn’t speak.
“Yeah, we got lucky. Err…you got lucky.”
We. They were awewhen people referred to them and their friendship. But why did it suddenly feel weird to say aloud?
“That’s a relief.” She laid towels onto the wet floor, before dropping down onto her knees and handing a dry one to him.
“The kids get picked up okay?”
“Yep. And Leo and Izzy took my mama home.”
“I could’ve taken her when I finished up here. You know I don’t mind.”
She shrugged. “I know. But she’s on their way home. Besides, you’re doing enough to help. I’m already gonna owe you free beer for life.”
He chuckled, returning to his job underneath the sink. “Definitely not for life. But I’ll take it as long as you’re running this place.”
He cranked the wrench a few times until it was tight, but then noticed she was silent behind him. Glancing over his shoulder, he found her eyes watering. His chest tightened. “Hey, what’s going on?”
“Just a funny choice of words is all.”
“Why’s that?”
“Turns out, I may not be running this place for much longer.”
The wrench nearly slipped from his grip. “What? Why?”
“There’s a stack of bills on the desk that I can’t afford to pay.”
The air in the room thickened, and his heart felt heavy. “What about another loan?”
“Already did that. And then I couldn’t afford to pay those.” She dropped her chin to her chest.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Too proud.” She shrugged a shoulder, trying to play it off as nothing.
“What about the O’Henrys? Have you asked them for help?” Even before he said the words out loud, he knew how ridiculous they were. If Kelsey hadn’t even told him, there was no way she’d gone to her in-laws for help.
“Not yet. But now that I’ve let the payments on the second business loan lapse, I have no choice. The bank is threatening to put a lien against the house. I have forty-five days to either come up with the money or…” she stopped speaking and her lower lip trembled.
Davis gasped.Forty-five days?
“Davis, what if they can’t help? What if I lose this place?”
