His brother sighed. “Oh no, Dad’s into one of his projects again.”
“Is he okay?” Cole asked. He hadn’t talked to his father since they had shared lunch.
“Yeah, but I’m going to stop by before heading over to meet with Leah. Then again, knowing Dad, this may take a while.”
“Maybe you should reschedule with her.”
Seth shook his head. “No, her schedule is crazy, and this was her only free night.” His eyes widened. “You keep her company until I get there.”
Cole’s eyebrows squeezed together. “Oh no, you’re not bringing me into this again.” The familiar routine resurfaced, and he wanted no part in it. He would keep Leah entertained until Seth came and swept her off her feet. Cole scratched his nose. “Why can’t you tell Mom you’re busy tonight?”
Seth’s eyes narrowed. “When was the last time you told her no?”
Cole raised his hands in a surrendered gesture. “Point taken.”
“I won’t be long. Unless… you want to help Dad with his project.”
Cole drew in his bottom lip between his teeth. Seth’s handyman skills superseded his. The last time he used a hammer to help his dad, his father had ended up in the emergency room. He had missed the nail and hit his father’s hand.
Seth continued, “Besides, you two can hang out like old times.” He stood and grabbed some cash from his wallet, setting it on the bar top for Brady.
“Seth—”
His brother cut him off. “I’ll owe you one.”
Cole grunted. “Fine.”
Seth marched out the door as Cole finished the last of his drink. His phone later buzzed with a text from Seth the address to the outdoor movie theater. He rubbed his hands together. His stomach knotted. A no-win situation.
Chapter 13
Leah fidgeted in her driver’s seat. Why did she agree to hang out with Seth? She didn’t want to give him the wrong idea, but when he mentioned an outdoor theater that played classic films, it hooked her. She rubbed her forehead. What if he wanted another chance with her?
Could she risk her heart again with him, knowing how things ended the last time? Did he really change? As a sea disturbed by opposing winds, the memory made her tap her fingers together. What was she to think?
Then again, not all her memories of him were bad. Their first kiss made her swoon and his declaration of love caused lightness in her limbs. Could they get those times back with the promise of more? Did things like this happen twice in a lifetime?
Her gaze flicked upward. She swallowed to relieve her dry mouth. So far, Seth desired friendship, at least that’s what he said. Could that change? Leah’s body jerked when her phone buzzed in her purse. She read the message from Seth. Speak of the devil.
7:13 PM… Seth: Running late. Had 2 help my dad
7:15 PM… Leah: We can reschedule
7:18 PM… Seth: No I sent reinforcements LOL
She raised an eyebrow, but when a familiar truck parked backwards next to her, she angled her body to look out the window to see him. As soon as Cole stepped down from his truck, Leah adjusted her cross-body purse and stepped out to meet him. Did her hair raise at the nape? Was that a flutter inside her chest?
Leah swallowed the lump in her throat, carefully masking her feelings. “Is this overtime to sneak more pictures of me?”
Cole offered a bemused smile “No, I think you’re stalking me. I came to watch a good old-fashioned classic movie.”
Cocking her head, she wagged her phone in front of him. “Seth sent you to babysit me, as usual.”
Eyes fixed on her he drew closer. “You didn’t mind the times before.”
“The last time you ‘babysat,’ we hit Mr. Wilkinson’s car.”
“I was teaching you how to parallel park. Who knew you had such a heavy foot on the gas pedal?”