Maybe we could start an after-school art program at the B&B? Well, not me, but Carol, or someone.
The leader of the group of boys, Ethan, appeared at our side. “Josh, it’s getting dark. Better get you home before your mom comes looking.”
He stilled and nodded, dropping the brush in the mason jar filled with water. “I can give you boys a ride.”
“Nah. We’re good.” Ethan gave Scott another obnoxious kissing face when he thought I wasn’t looking.
Josh looked between Scott and me and gave a shy grin. “Yep. All good.” The group ran off, leaving Scott and me alone.
“If I didn’t know better, I would think those boys are trying to play matchmaker.” I grabbed the brushes. “I might ruin this painting without Josh’s supervision.” I nodded toward the board.
Scott grinned and began closing the lids on various paints. “I had no idea he enjoyed painting that much. Pretty sure he was less-than-pleased with my efforts.”
I laughed and Scott’s eyes met mine, then they traveled to my left cheek. He set down the paint and closed the distance between us.
“What?” I sounded breathy. I cleared my throat and tried again. “What?”
“Here, you got a little something.” Scott grabbed a paper toweland, taking my chin in his hand, he tipped my face slightly. He gazed into my eyes and took a step closer.
My throat went dry, and I forgot to breathe. His eyes glanced at my lips.
Was he going to kiss me?
I know it’s cliche, but I couldn’t help it. I licked my lips. His eyes flashed back to mine, no longer passive but on fire.
He stood frozen, seeming at war with himself, and I waited for him to decide, unsure what outcome I wanted him to choose. Scott shook his head and softly wiped the blue paint from my cheek. He smelled like cinnamon and autumn leaves. I looped my thumbs through the belt loops of my jeans to stop myself from wrapping my arms around him. He was cleaning the paint off, that was all.
Which was what I wanted.Right?
When he was done, Scott looked at my lips once more, and dropped my chin. He picked up the brushes and walked over to the box of paints without looking back.
I stood rooted to the spot, urging my feet to move, but they somehow had grown roots. Wow . . . okay. I tried to shake the mental fog. I was standing still like an idiot.
“You know,” Carol appeared at my side, wrapping an arm around my waist, and nodding to Scott. “That boy put that basketball hoop in for the boys. He asked me, of course, but it was all him.”
“He did?”
“Yep. Had his dad come help too. He’s always fixing little things around my place too. Thinks I don’t notice.” Carol shrugged her shoulders. “He might be alright . . . for a city lawyer.” She left.
I wanted to run to him and give him a hug and let him know how much it meant to me he cared. About the boys, about Carol, and about me.
If I ran after him, I wasn’t sure I would stop at hugging. Thatthought made my stomach drop.What was I thinking?I needed to get out of here, and fast. I practically ran to my car.
No, no, no. Not good.
Just friends, nothing more. He was a hot, caring, amazing man who was a friend. But just a friend.
My phone vibrated in my pocket.
What if it was Scott? What would I say? Sorry I almost kissed you, or sorry I ran away without saying goodnight? I wasn’t ready to answer anything.
I drove home. Best to not have the temptation too close. Once I pulled in front of the fence, I pulled my phone from my pocket.
Not Scott. Rose. On our group chat. My heart dropped with disappointment. No wait, it didn’t drop because this was what I wanted.
Chapter Nineteen
SCOTT
