Incandescent

Prior to Ruby’s accident, Delaney had been ready to come out to Grant, and who knew what the result might’ve been. It seemed obvious now that the idea had been placed on the back burner. Or possibly scratched altogether. But that was life.

Ruby was recovering well, thank God, and they needed time to just chill together. I would never stop being their friend, but maybe this was a good time to take a step back and regroup—and being swamped with holiday orders would provide a much-needed distraction.

And yet, I couldn’t pretend my stomach hadn’t been unsteady all week. As strange as it sounded, I’d expected a corny joke to come by way of text from Delaney. At least that would’ve made me feel like everything was going to be all right. Instead, our conversations were a bit clipped and awkward, as if we were fumbling around each other all over again.

“Don’t work too hard,” Keisha said as she and Mom stood to leave.

“I could say the same for shopping,” I teased, knowing they were off to another shopping plaza in the Beachwood area.

“Come for dinner tonight?” Mom asked, then threw me a knowing look. “Unless you have plans?”

“No plans.” I sighed. “I told you, my work on Delaney’s kitchen is done.”

She arched a brow. “That doesn’t mean you weren’t invited otherwise.”

I shrugged, my stomach tightening. “I’m too busy anyway.”

I walked them to the door, promising I’d be over later for some of her chili and cornbread. The wind kicked up the leaves near the door, and I thought about how the fall weather had held. There would be snow on the ground soon, but it was the three months after the New Year that were usually the most miserable.

Then I got lost in reupholstering two wingback chairs for a returning customer who’d appreciated how I’d refinished her dining table last summer. When I found horsehair in the padding, I let her know how that was a common practice in the nineteenth century, which made her even more excited that she’d found the pair in her grandfather’s attic.

The bell above the door chimed, alerting me to a customer, so I wiped my hands on a rag and went to greet whoever arrived to pick up their treasured piece. Today it was a couple of ring boxes and old picture frames, which would make thoughtful holiday gifts.

My feet faltered when I saw Delaney and Grant standing near the front desk.

“Marc! Guess what?” Grant exclaimed, stepping toward me. He was wearing his militia coat with shiny silver buttons and a tricorn hat. “I drove part of the way here.”

“You did?” I glanced at Delaney, who looked so handsome with his fleece jacket and his hair tucked beneath a beanie that he made my knees weak.

“Yeah, he did. We ran a couple of errands, and then Grant wanted to know if we could visit your shop.” His smile faltered. “Hope that’s okay.”

“Of course it is.” I hated this uncomfortable space between us. But I also couldn’t deny that I felt instantly lighter in their presence. The truth was, I’d fallen for them both and wanted them in my life, even if Delaney and I could only be friends. I would do the work to make that happen, even if my heart took a direct hit. “How’s Ruby?”

“She’s doing great and already getting around on her own,” Delaney said as Grant checked out an antique world map I’d framed for a customer. “She’s also enjoying the extra cuddles and attention.”

I grinned. “I’ll bet.”

“You’ve, um…got something on your shoulder.”

When Delaney lifted his hand to brush it off my shirt, my heart skipped a beat. “It’s just batting from the chairs I’m working on.”

Our gazes clashed, held for a long moment, and I wanted to close the distance between us and kiss him senseless. It was a feeling I’d have to push aside if this friendship thing was going to work. I couldn’t pretend any longer that it might turn into something more.

“Oh, I also wanted to bring you the coils for that standing radio.” He dug into his coat pocket and produced a small bag. “Remember I said I could fix it…I mean, if you still want me to?”

“I do,” I replied, and his eyes softened as if in relief. He must’ve been feeling as unsure of us as I was. “Perfect timing too because the customer will be back in town after the holidays. Follow me.”

I led them to the back room, where Grant stopped every few paces to check something new out.

“Here’s the radio,” I said, tapping the top of the curved wood, which had dried long ago from the cherry stain the customer requested. “Go for it.”

“Wow, it looks great,” he said, and I couldn’t help smiling. The compliment felt good coming from anyone, but from him, it was extra special.