I squeeze my eyes shut and brace for impact, hoping to God I don’t trigger Eddie’s anger yet again, even though it is deserved.
But there’s no anger to be found. Not this time.
“Yeah. For a minute there, I thought we were too.” Eddie sighs and pulls the pry bar and hammer from his tool belt. “Come on. Let me show you how to do this.”
I roll my shoulders as determination settles into my bones. If nothing else, I know I can learn from him.
Eddie is a master.
Of course, he makes removing the wood trim look effortless. I watch his first few passes, taking in the angle of the pry bar, the placement, the way he taps the hammerwith firm, controlled movements, like he knows exactly how much pressure the wood can take without cracking.
He walks me through it, every step of the way.
The man has endless patience. I should know. I’ve seen it in action with Theo countless times—teaching him how to throw a baseball, answering a bazillion questions about some random dinosaur species, or pretending to be interested in whatever cartoon had caught his son’s fancy that week. Hell, even with me, as he showed me how to fix things around my cabin.
The man is a natural teacher, and I’m glad for an excuse to be near him for a few minutes.
Now, let’s hope I don’t mangle my section of trim.
I adjust my grip on the pry bar and mimic his movements. I’m slow and haphazard at first, but then I find a rhythm, and damn it if it doesn’t become a bit easier.
“Hey.” He shoots me a stern look, but I see the corners of his mouth tipping up. “Settle down, speedy.”
I glance over at him, lifting my hands in mock surrender. “I’m trying to keep up with you.”
He chuckles, returning his attention to the task at hand. “I have a bit more experience with a hammer.”
“That’s an understatement.” I gesture around the room. “You have a ton more experience with all of this, Eddie. I’m learning, though. Don’t really have a choice. The cabin has a crap ton of repairs.”
He doesn’t look at me, just keeps working. “How’s that going?”
I hesitate, watching him for a second. Are we actually doing this? Having a real conversation? Like… dare I say it, friends?
Not even close to what I want from the man, but I’ll take anything at this point.
I release a long, loud sigh. “Can I be honest and say terribly? I watch a ton of DIY videos, and about three-quarters of the way through, I realize they don’t know any more than I do.”
Eddie laughs, his genuine laugh, and some of the tension between us eases. “Could’ve told you that. Maybe you should hire someone. A real professional.”
“Hopefully soon.”
He pivots on the scaffold, bracing one hand against the wall as he searches out my gaze.
And just like that, I’m caught.
His warm brown eyes have always done me in. And for the first time since our breakup, there’s no anger in them. Just the same gentle softness that always felt like home.
“I don’t want to see you get taken for a ride. Maybe one of my guys could help you out.”
One of his guys.
It’s a generous offer, and his crew is wildly talented. I know this. Still, I can’t help the small, ridiculous part of me that wishes he’d offered himself instead.
Which is stupid.
Why would he, Kiki? You’re the one who ended things. He’s not about to show up and do free labor out of the goodness of his heart. You’re lucky he’s even speaking to you at all.
Once again, I’m on the verge of tears.
