For a heartbeat, I almost say something like ‘go on a real date with me, Katie’ or ‘hey, wanna move in together and play house?’ But I bite it back.
Too much, way outside of our agreement.
“See you tomorrow, Katie,” I say instead.
She smiles, a little wary, a little tender. “See you, Wells.”
I start to load up the equipment and after the kids and parents all leave, I walk to my truck as the evening settles over the field and tell myself the same lie I’ve been repeating the past three months.
It’s simple. It’s casual. No big deal.
Chapter three
Kate
Penny’s Café is noisy in the best way—plates clinking, coffee pouring, and half the town pretending not to eavesdrop on the next table over.
Brynn and Knox are tucked into the booth across from me, still glowing from their wedding, while Kinsey slides in beside me smelling faintly of expensive hairspray and perfume.
“I can’t believe you two are actually up before ten,” I say, taking a sip of coffee.
“Knox bribed me,” Brynn mutters, yawning. “He promised pancakes and coffee before we leave for the airport.”
“Smart man,” Kinsey says. “Feed her and she’ll follow.”
Knox smirks. “That’s been my strategy since high school.”
Brynn elbows him, and Kinsey and I both laugh. I’m mid-bite of my muffin when the bell above the door jingles, and when I look, it’s the source of my recent battle of sexual frustration and satisfaction.
Cam walks in, dressed in a dark T-shirt, baseball cap backward, sunglasses hooked into his collar, and that easy, confident stride that turns heads for all the wrong reasons. He spots our table and grins as he makes his way over.
“Look who finally decided to join us,” Kinsey says as he slides into the booth beside Knox.
“Morning,” he says, nodding around the table. “Wasn’t going to miss breakfast with the newlyweds.” His eyes flick to me for a second, a soft glint of amusement there and gone before anyone else can notice.
Kinsey leans forward, resting her chin on her hand. “We were just talking about the latest Cedar Falls headline.”
Cam raises a brow. “Do I want to know?”
“Probably not,” Brynn says, biting back a grin. “But it involves you, a coat closet, and a librarian with excellent taste.”
I groan, covering my face with one hand. “Please tell me Haddie didn’t post that photo.”
“She did,” Kinsey says cheerfully. “Captioned it ‘Love at first strike.’”
“Jesus,” Knox mutters. “That woman needs a hobby.”
“I tried to block her once,” Cam says, grabbing the menu. “She cornered me at the post office and asked if she did something to upset me.”
Kinsey grins. “Maybe she’s right. You and Kate did look cozy.”
Cam laughs, leaning back against the booth. “You’re all ridiculous.”
“Ridiculous?” Kinsey repeats. “I call it observant. You two have that...energy.”
“What energy?” I ask, already regretting it.
“The kind that makes people whisper,” she says sweetly. “And post blurry photos on the internet.”
